Proclamation of the Empire
By Benito Mussolini
Officers! Non-commissioned officers! Soldiers of all the armed forces of the state in Africa and Italy! Blackshirts of the Revolution! Italians in the Fatherland and throughout the world! Listen!
With the decisions that in a few moments you will learn, and which were proclaimed by the Grand Council of Fascism, a great event is accomplished: Today, May 9th, of the fourteenth year of the Fascist era, the fate of Ethiopia is sealed.
Every knot has been cut by our shining sword and the African victory remains in the history of our country complete and pure like the legionaries who have fallen dreamed and desired. Italy has at last got her Empire, the Fascist Empire, which bears the indestructible signs of the determination and the power of the Roman Littorio, because this is the goal towards which, for fourteen years, the overflowing and disciplined energies of the young, sturdy generations of Italy were encouraged. It is an Empire of peace, because Italy wants peace for herself and for all, and decides upon warfare only when compelled to do so by imperious, uncontrollable necessities of life. It is an Empire of civilization and humanity for all the peoples of Ethiopia.
It is the tradition of Rome that after having vanquished other people, she always gave them a partnership in her destiny.
Italians, here is the law that closes a period of our history and opens a new one with enormous future possibilities:
1. The territories and the peoples that belonged to the Empire of Ethiopia shall be placed under the full and entire sovereignty of the Kingdom of Italy.
2. The title of Emperor of Ethiopia is assumed by the King of Italy for himself and for his successors.
Officers! Non-commissioned officers! Soldiers of all the armed forces of the state in Africa and Italy! Blackshirts! Italian men and women!
The Italian people have created an empire with their blood. They will fertilize it with their labour. They will defend it against anyone with their arms.
In this supreme certainty, O legionaries, raise high your banners, your swords, and your hearts, legionaries of Italy, and salute, after a lapse of fifteen centuries, the return of the Empire to the fated hills of Rome.
Will you be worthy of it? (Cries of "Yes!")
This answer is a sacred oath which binds you before God and before men for life and for death!
Blackshirts! Legionaries! Salute the king!
