Re ed Imperatore

The first adunata (general assembly) of the Italian people occurred Oct. 2, 1935, marked the beginning of the War in Ethiopia. At the second adunata, held early last week, the occupation of Addis Ababa by Marshal Badoglio was announced. Four days later came the call for the third adunata which all Italy had been feverishly awaiting. Well drilled, the Italian people knew their posts, their cues. A good hour before Il Duce's speech, they had left their homes, cafes and shops to gather in public squares. In the shoeshine parlors and groceries of Brooklyn and Boston it was 3 :30 p. m. In Addis Ababa it was nearly midnight. But along the length of Italy's boot it was 9:30 p. m. Pulsing nerve centre of all this excitement was the huge square of the Piazza Venezia in Rome. Thousands and thousands of eyes in the square were riveted on the buff-colored palace of Benito Mussolini. All along the roof torches flickered in the night air. On the second floor the huge windows were flung wide. The crowd in the square could look directly into the vast frescoed office of Il Duce, lighted up like a stage setting. Round the edge of the crowd the flash bulbs of photographers flickered like heat lightning.

At exactly 10 o'clock members of the Grand Council of Fascism, followed by the Italian Cabinet, all in Fascist trimmings & trappings, marched into the great room. Goat-bearded Marshal Emilio de Bono, recalled last autumn from Ethiopia under a cloud, was there. Chin-tufted Libyan Governor Italo Balbo had flown over from Tripoli to attend the party. Near him sat his Fascist twin, Italian Ambassador Dino Grandi, who had sped to Rome from London.

The crowd could see, but it could not hear. Every few minutes a Fascist bigwig would jump up, wave his arms, sit down. It did not take very long. At 10:34 Benito Mussolini rose from the head of the table, strode across the room, stepped out on to the balcony. Ta ra ta ta ra ta ta ra! blared the bugles below. The cheers of the crowd rose to a shrill, hysterical scream. Women fainted in the crush and their rigid bodies were passed out from hand to hand over the heads of the crowd. Finally, chin outthrust, Benito Mussolini rested both hands on the balustrade and bellowed: "Officers, non-commissioned officers, privates, Black Shirts of the Fascist revolution, Italian men and women at home and throughout the world--LISTEN!

"The destiny of Ethiopia has been sealed today, May 9 of the 14th year of the Fascist revolution. All knots have been cut by our flaming sword and the victory in Africa becomes part of the history of our country, pure and complete.

"Italy at last has her empire. It is a Fascist empire because it bears the indestructible sign of the will and power of the lictors and Fasces of Rome. ... It is an empire of peace because Italy wants peace for herself and for everyone, and was induced to make war only when she was driven to it by some imperious and undeferable necessity of life. It is an empire of civilization and humanity for all the populations of Ethiopia. This is in the tradition of Rome, which after having conquered, associated the conquered people in her fate.

"Here is the law that closes a period of our history and opens a new one with enormous future possibilities:

"First, the territories and peoples that belonged to the Ethiopian Empire have passed under the sole and exclusive sovereignty of the Kingdom of Italy.

"Second the title of Emperor is assumed for himself and his heirs by the King of Italy.

"The Italian people have created an empire with their blood. They will fertilize it with their work. They will defend it against anyone with their weapons. Will you be worthy of it?" From the hysterical crowd came the roar: "Si! Si!"

"Is this cry a sacred oath?"

"Si! Si!"

"Is it an oath that binds you before God and man?"

"Si! Si!"

"Is it an oath that binds you for life or death?"

"Si-i-i-i-i-i!!!"

"Black Shirts and Legionaries, salute the King!"

"Viva il Re!" screamed the crowd.

Dictator Mussolini turned on his heel, went back into his office. Most of the crowd started to stream across the city and up the hill to Vittorio Emanuele's Palazza del Quirinale. Radio announcers read the two brief decrees just approved by the Grand Council. Besides the complete annexation of Ethiopia and the proclamation of the King as Emperor, it provided that Ethiopia was to be ruled by a Governor General with the title of Vice roy who will also have authority over the Governors of Eritrea and Somaliland. First Viceroy of Ethiopia: Marshal of Italy, Cavaliere Pietro Badoglio, Marquis of Sabotino.

In his Quirinal Palace little Vittorio Emanuele III was waiting for the crowds. Months ago when the Ethiopian adventure first started he told a friend: "If we win, I shall be King of Abyssinia. If we lose, I shall be King of Italy."

"Imperatore! Imperatore! Salute Imperatore!" chanted the crowd when Vittorio Emanuele, in full Army uniform, showed himself on a balcony. The first Roman Emperor in 1,460 years raised his withered hand to the visor of his cap, said nothing.

The towering Queen-Empress did not appear. She was in bed with a broken toe from falling off a stepladder in her library while reaching for a book.

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