Riccione, July 25, 1934
The tragic death of Chancellor Dullfuss grieves me deeply. Bound to him by ties of personal friendship and by common political views, I have always admired his virtues as a statesman, his upright simplicity, his great courage.
The independence of Austria — for which he has fallen — is a principle that has been defended and will be defended by Italy even more strenuously.
Chancellor Dollfuss, in exceptionally difficult times, served the people from whom he came with absolute disregard and contempt for danger.
His memory will be honored not only in Austria, but everywhere in the civilized world, which has already declared its moral condemnation of those responsible for this crime.
Accept the expressions of my condolences, which represent the unanimous feeling of execration and repentance of the whole Italian people.
MUSSOLINI
