Speech in Fiume, April 21, 1921

By Benito Mussolini

I am a soldier who obeys orders; and the Commander ordered me to speak here at Fiume. (An immense cry rises up: "Long live the Commander!").

And I also came here to bring you the greeting of the Fascists of all Italy. They look to you, dear Fiumans, and follow your struggle with close attention.

The importance of the April 24 election is historic: because it has achieved a political bloc—the merger of all those who declare themselves Italian against all those who deny Italy and join forces with the foreigner. (Furious shouts: "Down with Zanella's renegades!"). Within this bloc we find the National Democratic Party, the Italian People's Party, the Fasci di Combattimento, the Republican Party, the Italian Nationalist Association and the Chamber of Labour all fraternally united with each other.

Here too there are servants of the foreigner: those who join themselves with the damned Croats! They fight Italy in the name of their filthy interests. We will crush them. In Italy we are preparing the complete overturn of those very sad elections that brought the traitor Misiano to Parliament, that man who is pursued and fleeing like other cowards that you know well, men who, like him, are worthy of perishing by the sword! We will do everything we can in Italy because the purge must be total.

We are organizing an effort to put this old, exhausted and imbecilic Italy into its final grave. Thus it will not be that old and deaf Italy which will welcome your vote of annexation, dear Fiumans! No longer will your voice and your tears, your sufferings and your sacrifices be unheard, misunderstood and mocked.

The future of Fiume and of the Italy which will arise after May 15 is only one: the rebirth of national forces, the full and complete affirmation of your Italianity and, finally, annexation. All else is but a painful transaction: because the Treaty of Rapallo, signed on the seashore, is written on the mobile sands of the sea... and we will prove it! The Italians will never be able to resign themselves to sacrificing tens of thousands of Italians from Dalmatia!

Whether Fiume's enemies are listening or not, I want to say: we want to do everything possible, both inside and outside Parliament, because Italy is economically tied to Fiume; and when Fiume proclaims its Italianity in the elections—as we are certain it will do—we, strengthened by your will, will force Italy to no longer reject the will of Fiume, the beloved creature of Italy! (Enthusiastic applause). These are our precise intentions: they know it in Zagreb, and the traitors and the scoundrels within the walls of your city who serve foreign interests also know it!

We bring you, dear Fiumans, the expression of our full, complete and unconditional solidarity. All Italy awaits the victory of Fiume. Your elections are the vestibule of our elections. Parliament will have to take you into account, dear Fiumans, and you will not be left alone or forgotten. And this new Italy of tomorrow will have to be prepared to deal with that petulant little Austria known as Yugoslavia. We are ready and willing to come to terms with them, provided they do not practice imperialism against the lands and people of Italy and are prepared to give us all that is Italian.

Fiumans!

Do I need to remind you that on Sunday each and every single one of you must go to the polls? I must encourage you to do your duty as Italians, and as good and conscious citizens.

In elections, each person contributes not only with his vote, but with all his energies; express this meaning to its fullest and manifest the wonderful Italian soul of Fiume.

On Sunday evening the telegraph will announce your victory to us. It will be announced to Italy... and also to Yugoslavia! The renegade autonomists and Croats (loud shouts of disapproval and threats echo on all sides) must not prevail. The victory must be Italian, and only Italian.

The Roman arch, the symbol of eternal Rome, is your distinguishing mark for next Sunday, dear Fiumans! The Latin genius of Rome has left its mark all throughout Europe: it has built unshakable arches capable of supporting the mountains—eternal symbols of triumphant Latinity.

You must, dear Fiumans, make sure that the ballot of the Roman arch emerges triumphant from the polls.

Wave your banners!

I am sure that on Sunday evening you will be waving them in a blaze of joy, in the thrill of victory.