A Promise Kept

Upon the second anniversary of the triumphant entry into Rome of the Fascist legions, the Fascist national militia, which for two years has been an extra-legal army owing allegiance only to Signor Benito Mussolini as the Dux of Fascismo, swore allegiance to King Vittorio Emanuele and ceased to be a purely party organization. At Milan, Benito's home town, Black Shirts, as the Fascist Militia is known, concentrated in large numbers to swear fealty to their King. The most spectacular parade was, however, at Rome. In the vale of the Aventine and Palatine hills, between the Colosseum and the Appius Claudius road, thousands of Black Shirts assembled. On every side were thousands of Roman! whom the gorgeously clad carabinieri had the greatest difficulty in managing. Cheers upon cheers rent the air--then there was a lull, occasioned by deepening interest not unmixed with curiosity. Three men appeared upon the scene followed by their retinues. They were the Ministers of War, Marine and Air. They had come to receive the oath in the name of the King. This the troops gave in the customary manner of the Romans-- that is, with arms outstretched and palms extended before them. Henceforth the Fascist militia was to know a new master. All this came to pass because Premier Benito was severely criticized by the Opposition at the time of the Matteotti murder for keeping a "party army." Having been morally forced to make a concession to the Opposition, the Premier decided to form them into a national militia rather than to disband them. Some months ago, he promised this (TIME, July 7). His promise has been kept.