By Benito Mussolini
Responsible circles in Rome note that many foreign opinions and impressions concerning Italian racism are dictated by a superficial knowledge of the facts and, in some cases, by obvious bad faith.
In reality, as can be proven by documents, Italian racism dates back to 1919. Mussolini, in his speech to the Party Congress, held in Rome in November 1921 — we repeat 1921 — explicitly declared: "I want to make it clear that Fascism must deal with the problem of race. Fascists must occupy themselves with the health of the race, which is what makes history."
If the problem has remained dormant for many years, this happened only because of other more urgent problems that had to be solved. But the conquest of the Empire placed racial problems at the top of the agenda, because the lack of race consciousness had dramatic and bloody consequences, the details of which we shall not go into today.
Other nations send only a few, carefully-chosen officials to the lands of their empires; but in the course of time we will send millions of men to Libya and Italian East Africa, because it is absolutely necessary for us.
Now, to avoid the catastrophic calamity of miscegenation, that is, the creation of a bastard race that is neither European nor African, which will foment disintegration and revolt, the strict laws promulgated and enacted by Fascism are not enough. A strong feeling, a strong sense of pride, a clear and ever-present consciousness of race are also required.
To discriminate does not mean to persecute. This must be said to the too many Jews in Italy and in other countries who cry useless lamentations to the heavens, passing with typical swiftness from intrusiveness and arrogance to demoralization and senseless panic.
As was clearly stated in Diplomatic Dispatch No. 14 and as is repeated today, the Fascist Government has no special plan to persecute the Jews as such, but only to discriminate against them, which is a different matter. According to Jewish statistics, there are 44,000 Jews in the metropolitan territory of Italy. However, this number must be confirmed by a special census in the near future. The proportion therefore is supposedly one Jew for every one thousand Italians.
It is clear that, from now on, the participation of the Jews in the overall life of the State should be — and will be — adapted to such a ratio.
No one would dispute the right of the Fascist State to do this, least of all the Jews who (as is clear from the most recent manifesto of the rabbis of Italy) have always and everywhere been the apostles of the most total, intransigent, ferocious — and from a certain point of view even admirable — racism; the Jews have always thought of themselves as a "chosen people"; they claim to belong to a separate race with unique blood; and they have always demonstrated their racial solidarity with each other beyond all territorial borders.
This is not the place to discuss the relationship — which is clearly proven by the past twenty years of European history — between Judaism, Bolshevism and Masonry.
There is no doubt, however, that now is the right time for Italian racism. Moreover, there is no doubt that it will become — through the coordinated and determined actions of all the members of the Regime — the spiritual heritage of our people, the fundamental basis of our State and the element of security for our Empire.
