Saturday 3 March 2012

Speech in Rome, April 8, 1926

Aboard the Battleship "Conte di Cavour"

By Benito Mussolini

I deliberately wanted this ceremony to take place on a warship for several reasons:

1) I wanted you to render homage to our glorious Navy, which holds the greatest hopes for our future;

2) I wanted you to become familiar with these instruments of war;

3) I wanted this ship to capture your breath and broaden your spirit;

4) because after you return to the mainland, you must fully awaken the maritime consciousness.

We are Mediterraneans and our desriny, without copying anyone, has been and always will be the sea.

For our glorious Italian Navy! Eja! Eja! Alalà!