At the First Congress of Italian Fascists Abroad
By Benito Mussolini
Comrades! I came here not to give a speech as I would not have time enough to do it. An important delicate work is awaiting my care at present in Palazzo Chigi. I have come here only to bring you my welcome as Head of Government and as your Comrade, and to tell you some things which may be of interest to you. Perhaps those things have already been said. In that case I will repeat them.
In the first place I want to give, before you comrades who have come from all over the world, a warm statement of sympathy to comrade Bastianini, who has been for many years the indefatigable leader of your movement. He created it, gave it the possibility of life and made it a powerful institution.
With him I want to recall all of his collaborators, those of Rome and those of other countries.
Today the "Italian Fascists Abroad" (Fasci Italiani all'Estero) are a very comforting reality. What are the directives that Fascists abroad must follow?
1. Fascists who are abroad must obey the laws of the country where they live. They must set a daily example of their obedience to the laws and, if necessary, give such an example to the citizens themselves of those countries.
2. They must not participate in the internal politics of the country which gives them hospitality.
3. They must not provoke conflicts in the colonies, but rather heal them under the aegis of the "Littorio".
4. Set an example of private and public probity.
5. Respect Italian representatives abroad.
6. Defend the Italianity of the past and the present.
7. Give assistance to Italians who are in need.
If Fascists abroad will follow these directions what will be the results?
1. A valorisation of the Italian element in every country, and, of course, of Italian work, industry, and spirit in general.
2. The aura of sympathy which already surrounds our movement will increase and the atmosphere in which you will live will become more oxygenated.
Your simple example will give an idea of what our Italy is, the virile Italy that we are creating with a diligent effort and endevour.
Those of you who came from all parts of the globe certainly have a clear impression that, regardless of the poor vociferations of some miserable renegades, the world is beginning to know us. This is important.
You must consider yourself in every work, in every moment of your life as pioneers, as missionaries, as the bearers of Latin, Roman, Italian civilization. I am sure that my words will arrive directly to your hearts, because you know that the life of Italians abroad is not unknown to me. I have lived it. I have lived it in an age when being very rich in dreams also can endure misery.
You must react against the common belief that Italy is only rich in splendid memories, in ever-lasting monuments, and in venerable museums, but that it is still behind in what they call modern civilization.
You must do me the favour of telling people that near the monuments we have works and manufactories, near the museums we have timber-yards, and in both the manufactories and in the timber-yards work millions of workmen who throw into the markets of the world wonderful products, from silk to glorious automobiles. And you must tell them that Italian agriculture is no longer the archaic system of the past, but that it has adopted all the new systems of modern technology; in short, that the country is equipped to produce, and that the Italian nation is not affixed to the past, but marches bravely into the future. If you stand on the lines that I have schematically drawn, you will accomplish a work of high public spirit and great patriotism, and gradually the rancours will vanish, hostilities will mitigate themselves, sympathies will flourish everywhere, and the sympathies which go to your Fascist organization will go directly to the Italian people.
Comrades! Be disciplined abroad just as I demand and impose that Italians be disciplined at home.
Be faithful not only with vain words, but with concrete works to the sacrifice of our and your dead.
