"MILITANT & CONTROVERSIAL IN TONE"

MUSSOLINI, FOUNDER OF FASCISM, WRITES HISTORY OF MOVEMENT

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On July 29, 1925, Associated Press reports that Italian dictator Benito Mussolini* "is now undertaking the task of incorporating his achievements by becoming the interpreter and historian" of Fascism**.

Mussolini's writings appear in the political monthly 'Gerarchia.'  AP describes the articles as "militant and controversial in tone."

*Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Predappio, Italy & was Prime Minister/dictator of Italy 1922-1945.  BM founded the Nationalist Fascist Party and inspired the international spread of fascism.

**fascism is a far right authoritarian and ultra-national political ideology characterized by extreme nationality, dictatorial power & suppression of opposition as well as a strong regimented society & economy.

SOURCE

"Mussolini Writes History Of Facism," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 29, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Benito Mussolini

Photo by Luce (1939)

PD

"SUFFERED ATTACK OF INFLUENZA & DIGESTIVE DISEASE"

MUSSOLINI SERIOUSLY ILL TURNS OVER HELM OF STATE TO FRIEND

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On March 3, 1925, The Evening Star reports Premier Benito Mussolini* of Italy has turned over "the helm of the...state to his friend Federazzoni" due to a "very serious illness."

Hiram K. Moderwell says the Premier "suffered an attack of influenza" in mid-February and had "a chronic disease that affected his digestive organs."

An operation was performed Tuesday.

*Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Predappio, Italy & was dictator of Fascist Italy 1922-1943.  BM served in the Italian army in WWI, founded the National Fascist Party & established a police state in Italy 1925-1927.

JFK+50 NOTE

This news report originated via cable to The Evening Star and The Chicago Daily News Company (March 2 by mail March 3, 1925)

On March 17, 1925, The New York Times reports that Mussolini had an ulcer of the duodenum (small intestine) accompanied by hemorrhaging, "a very grave illness."

SOURCES

"Mussolini Fought Off A Very Grave Illness," The New York Times, March 17, 1925, www.nytimes.com/

"Mussolini Is Very Seriously Ill; Close Friend Takes Over Head of State," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 3, 1925, 

 

 

Portrait of Benito Mussolini

by Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe

Public Domain

"GOVERNMENT HAS STRENGTH TO DESTROY OPPOSITION"

MUSSOLINI THROWS PARLIAMENT INTO VOLLEYS OF APPLAUSE

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On January 4, 1925, The Sunday Star reports that yesterday Premier Benito Mussolini*, speaking to the Chamber of Deputies, "staged a dramatic scene which threw the chamber into volleys of applause."

El Duce declared that "the government had the strength to destroy the aventine** opposition--those deputies who have refused to participate in the work of the Parliament."

The Premier indicated, however, Facists would "keep within the law."

*Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Dovia di Predappio, Italy & served as prime minister of Italy 1922-1943 & as Duce of the Italian Social Republic, 1943-1945.  BM transformed Italy into a fascist dictatorship & joined the Axis powers in 1937.

**aventine...one of the 7 hills on which the city of Rome was built.

SOURCE

"Mussolini Threatens enemies With Destruction in 48 Hours," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., January 4, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Benito Mussolini in the 1920s

www.biography.com/

2016

"GERMANY IS PACIFIST BECAUSE SHE CANNOT WAGE WAR"

ITALIAN PREMIER SAYS FALL OF GERMAN EMPIRE LEFT AN ACHING VOID

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On November 13, 1923, The Evening Star gives Italian premier Benito Mussolini's* opinion "on the present situation in Germany."

The Premier is quoted from the preface of a recent book by R. Shuster...

"The fall of the (German) empire left an aching void.  Berlin secretly aspires to a return of the glistening capital of the empire."

Mussolini is also quoted as adding...

"(Germany) has no army and therefore is pacifist** because she cannot wage war."

*Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Predappio, Italy & founded the National Fascist Party.  BM served as Prime Minister of Italy 1922-1943 & as Duce of the Italian Social Republic 1943-1945.

**pacifist...belief that war & violence are unjustifiable. 

SOURCE

"Mussolini Sees Germans Aching For Kaiser Rule," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 13, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Benito Mussolini

1920s

www.biography.com/

"OUR ONLY IDEAL IS THE MAXIMUM GREATNESS OF ITALY"

MUSSOLINI SAYS NATIONAL EXPANSION IS  "ABSOLUTE NECESSITY"

Cremona, Italy (JFK+50) On September 7, 1920, Benito Mussolini* gave a speech here in Cremona** disclaiming interest in imperialism but calling for "the absolute necessity of national expansion."

Il Duce gave instructions to his audience at the outset of his speech "not to interrupt...until the end."  He said...

"We are not for war, but we will not hesitate to fire upon those that attack us."

Mussolini concluded with these words...

"Now is the time for...a healthy political activity that brings national life back to its proper place free from the burden of tassels and statutes.

Because our only ideal is the maximum greatness of Italy."

Benito Mussolini received a "great ovation" with shouts of "Long live Italy," and "Long live Mussolini." 

*Benito Amilcare Andrewa Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Predappio, Italy. BAAM became a socialist politician & journalist at the Avanti newspaper.  He served in the Royal Italian Army in WWI.  He founded the National Fascist Party & served as Italy's Prime Minister 1922-1943, & as Duce of the Italian Socialist Republic 1943-1945.

**Cremona is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy & situated on the left bank of the Po River.  It is the capital of the province of Cremona & known for its musical history & traditions.

SOURCE

"Speech in Cremona, September 7, 1920," by Benito Mussolini, Biblioteca Fascista, March 3, 2012, www.bibliotecafascista.blogspot.com/  

Benito Mussolini

1920  

 

IL DUCE & HIS MISTRESS ARE EXECUTED

MUSSOLINI FACES FIRING SQUAD

Milan, Italy (JFK+50) On April 28, 1945, Benito Mussolini*, Prime Minister of Italy and his mistress, Clara Petacci**, were shot dead by a firing squad after a failed attempt to escape to Switzerland.  

Partisan border guards learned Mussolini's identity despite an attempt to disguise himself as a German airman. He and Clara were traveling with a convoy of Italian Social Republic members.

After they were shot dead, the couple's bodies were transported to a gas station here in Milan where they were hung upside down for public viewing and ridicule.

*Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Dovia di Predappio, the son of a revolutionary socialist.  He lived in Switzerland in 1902 where he was active in the Italian socialist movement.  BM attended the University of Lausanne in 1904.  He was Prime Minister of Italy from 1922 to 1943.

**Clara Pettaci (1912-1945) was born in Rome.  Her father was the primary physician of Pope Pius XI.  CP had a long-time affair with the Italian dictator while he was married.

Benito Mussolini in 1944

Deutsches Bunds archiv

ITALIAN DICTATOR MEETS HIS FATE

MUSSOLINI KILLED BY PARTISANS

Milan, Italy (JFK+50) On April 28, 1945, Benito Mussolini*, Prime Minister of Italy and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were shot dead by a partisan firing squad after the fugitives attempted escape to Switzerland.  

Border guards, who were partisans, discovered Mussolini's identity despite his attempt to disguise himself as a German airman.  After they were shot dead, the couple's bodies were transported to a gas station here in Milan where they were hung upside down for public viewing and ridicule.

Marking the anniversary of the event in 2015, one of the celebrants said...

"For us, the death of Benito Mussolini amounts to murder because he was killed without a trial."

*Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Dovia di Predappio, the son of a revolutionary socialist.  He lived in Switzerland in 1902 where he was active in the Italian socialist movement.  BM attended the University of Lausanne in 1904.  He was Prime Minister of Italy from 1922 to 1943.

SOURCE

"Mussolini death service causes stir," ANSA General news, April 28, 2015, www.ansa.it/

Benito Mussolini in 1944

Deutsches Bunds archiv