Fascist Parliament

The first Fascist Parliament was opened in state by King Vittorio Emanuele III on the ninth anniversary of Italy's entry into the War, and was a great contrast to the ceremony of 1920 when Communists dominated the scene. On this occasion not a Communist nor a Socialist was seen, much less heard.

From the Quirinal Palace to the Parliament Building the streets were lined with picked detachments of famed Italian regiments. Everywhere--on the street behind the soldiers, on the balconies, on the roofs, at the windows--were husky and fair Italians awaiting the passage of the King's gilded coach.

The booming of guns and the tolling of the historic Capitol bell announced to the assembled multitude that the King had started from the Palace. The passage of the Ruler and his Queen, accompanied by various members of the Royal Family surrounded by dazzling brilliance, was marked by cloudburst after cloudburst of healthy Italian "vivas" which completely drowned the strains of royal music and the clankings of salutes.

Inside the Chamber the scenes were even more impressive and hardly less tumultuous. Benito and his Ministers, dressed in newly designed State uniforms, supported by delegations from the Senate and Camera de'Deputati, received the Sovereign and his entourage and conducted them to the Queen's Hall--transformed into a "garden of flowers"--from whence they entered the Royal Tribune.

By express request of Benito all the Senators and Deputies, except three or four, appeared in full evening dress. One Deputy provoked convulsions of merriment by appearing in "tails" and yellow boots; one wore a black shirt. The appearance of the King was a signal for roof-lifting applause which was as loud as it was long. Vittorio Emanuele, dressed in the uniform of a general, took his seat upon a throne, erected under a canopy of red velvet, decorated with the Arms of Savoy in gold. Above and behind him were the Queen and the Princesses Mafalda and Giovanna, surrounded by their households. On either side of the Monarch were the Princes of the Blood Royal, resplendent in military uniforms. At the foot of the throne was Benito, covered with gold and lace and plumes.

The Premier called the roll. Each Deputy arose to take his oath of allegiance to the King. This ceremony over, the King rose (vivas) unrolled a manuscript, began to read an address allegedly censored by Benito.

Points in the King's speech:

Liberty. "The Italian people wish liberty, true liberty, to be left intact, but they have clearly shown that they repudiate every form of degeneration of liberty and every form of license, just as they repudiate all weakness or tolerance because they wish all special individual and class interests to be subordinated to the general interests of the community."

Reform. His Majesty announced that his Government would undertake reforms of civil, commercial and mercantile code, cede to private initiative certain state-owned enterprises.

Foreign Affairs. The King lauded the achievements of Italy during the past year in her conduct of foreign policy; laid special emphasis on Fiume (prolonged vivas); said "The greatest treaty today is the reparation problem and the questions connected with it. Italy is ready to do everything in her power to arrive at an equitable solution and to dissipate all impending dangers. Italy is ready to make heavy sacrifices in the interests of peace, provided her legitimate, fundamental rights are not attacked." He concluded with "Our strength will be used to pursue a foreign policy of peace and dignity and of defense of our interests."

Finance. In matters of taxation the King promised early reduction compatible with decreasing the state's floating debts. He lauded the financial achievements of Benito, praised the taxpayers, painted the financial future in gay colors.

The King sat down (more vivas). The Royal Family then returned to the Palace, many of the Senators and Deputies left immediately, but some of the young and ardent Fascisti had not finished. As soon as the wheels of the royal coaches had started to revolve, their constraint vanished and with relief akin to that felt after the passage of a thunderstorm they volleyed the Fascist hymn Giovinezza:

"Giovinezza, Giovinezza,

Primavera de Bellezza,

Nel Fascismo alla salvezza

Delia nostra libert`a."

Translated:

"Youth, Youth,

Springtime of Beauty,

Through Fascismo

Saviour of our Liberty."