Speech in Vicenza, September 25, 1938

By Benito Mussolini

Blackshirts!

If my speeches were speeches in the traditional sense of the word, I should refrain from adding to their number in your city so renowned in the fields of art and of heroism.

But they are, at least from the point of view of length, not so much speeches as they are direct contacts with the soul of the people.

Yesterday began what might be called the week of expectation and of passion for Europe.

It is now universally recognized that mistakes were made in the peace treaties of 1919. I recognized that as early as 1921. I beg you however not to attribute prophetic powers to me, because prophets do not belong to our race.

It was not difficult at that time to foresee what has in fact been happening in the last few days. What should be done when a mistake has been made? Rectify it! Because according to our ancient wisdom, to err is human, but to persist in error is diabolical.

Those concerned not only refuse to rectify the blunder of the inordinate distension of Czechoslovakia, but are seeking to maintain it. And for that, the peoples of Europe are to fly at one another's throats!

Until the contrary is proved, however, I will not believe that what would be one of the most tragic paradoxes in human history will happen. (Shouts of: "Duce!, Duce!").

However, men conscious of their responsibilities cannot ignore any hypothesis, however absurd it may appear. Up to the present Italy has taken no military measures, but, if the others continue to call up reservists and mass them on the borders and to concentrate their fleets, none of you will be surprised if Italy takes measures of her own.

We have given the world proof of our resolution and of our will. We conquered the Empire, not only by fighting against the Abyssinian armies prepared and led by Europeans, but also by resisting the economic siege decreed by 52 States.

The more paper accumulated on the desks of Geneva, the more convinced I became that the Italian people would never waver for a moment. ("No! No!", shouts the crowd).

Today the protagonists of the sanctions have disappeared from the horizon. Many of them have fallen into oblivion, or are humiliated with shame.

The Italian people are, after four years of rigorous trials, ready as never before to face what may come.

The Italian people have in these days, dear comrades, but one face: the face of calm and determination. That is the face of a strong people.