THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 17, 1939
MARCH OF A DICTATOR
(Continued from Page 3)
Library, Supreme Cour
"A Roma! A Roma!" roared back were powerless-they had only 50 out tho, Blackshirts. Plans were already of 600 soats in Parliament and the in hand for the expedition.
Left were hopelessly split.
;
The Italian army knew, and approv ed. They could have blown the Black-office. ." shirt militia to ploces in a few volley if they had wished.
On October 26 à Fascist ultimatur required the Premier to resign. He capitulated on the 27th, but his resign- atlon was refused. Mussolini' return- ed to his "fortress" in Milan. The next day the Blackshirt columns began to converge on Rome.
?
The telephone rings in the newspaper General Cittadini to Musso- linf. "The King Invites you to come to Rome to become Premier.. will go to Rome when the summons is Mussolini. replies in a calm voice, "I oficial, and in writing!”
Soveral hours later the
ed in. -
JAMAICA GENERAL STRIKE
Kingston (Jamaica), To-day: The Governor has declared that there can be no settlement of tho Jamnica labour dispute until the orders for a general strike are anconditionally withdrawn. Reu-
ter.
wire is hand- JAPANESE
"His Majesty King Victor Emmanue begs you to come to Rome at once, He The military command at Rome offers you the task of forming a new threw up barricades and barbed wire. Ministry-General Cittadini.” Premier Facta, still functioning, asked Pale, hands thrust deep in his rain- the King to proclaim martial law. He coat, grey slouch hat pulled over his was met with blank refusal. The Na-eyes, Mussolini boarded the train. Hi tionalist Party leader, Admiral de Re-eyes hardly beheld the delirious crowds vel, had that morning warned Victor that stormed the railway station Emmanuel that the armed forces would shout, "To Rome! To Rome!" He left not march against "the patriotic move-one message to his storm troops: ment." It was the Curragh, 1914. a "Burs Avanti!" over again. In three days 30,000 Blackshirts were encamped outside the walls.
# * *
In Milan Mussolini: "I put on the Black Shirt. I barricaded Il Popolo
* *** *****
tc
That night as the train roared down the long leg of Italy the offices of his old Socialist newspaper went up flames.
in
At Santa Marinella he stopped off
awaited
WARNING TO
S'HAI SHIPPING
Shanghai, To-day:
Page
FRANCO REJECTS PEACE PLAN SUGGESTIONS
Paris, To-day.
General Franco is reported by the "Soir" to have rejected -proposals alleged to have been made by the British Agent in Burgos, Sir Robert Hodgson, relating to eventual capitula- tion by the Republican forces. These proposals are said to have included suggestions for a plebiscite for determining the future Spanish Constitu- tion. Trans-Ocean.
The commander-in-chief of the NEW C.-IN-C. AT
Japanese Fleet in Chinese Waters yesterday issued a warning to for- eign ships not to approach within
d'Italia. In the livid and grey morning to pass in review 40,000 Blackshirts 30 miles of Taichow Bay in view of impending operations by the Japanese fleet.
Milan wore a new and fantastic ap-An indescribable enthusiasm pearance. Pauses and sudden silences him in Rome. He pulled out his out cave one the sensation of grent hours case and put on his black shirt again that come and go in the course of his-At the station another multitudo wel tory. Frowning battalions of Royal comed him, Guards scouted the city, and the mono- He drove to the Quirinal and kissed
tonous rhythm of their feet sounder hands. ominous echoes in the almost deserted streets."
A "Quadrumvirate” WAS already named to carry out the insurgent act— Bianchi. Balbo, De Vecchi, De Bono. Over all, of course, the Duce himself.
There were vain efforts even yet in Rome among the politicians to keer the Fascist upstart out. Bat the Right'
"Forgive my uniform,” he said to the King. "I have just come from a blood- less battle."
The waters, the warning states, should be avoided as from midnight, Thursday.
The warning has caused anxiety in shipping circles as numerous The next day 100,000 Blackshirt mili ships flying foreign flags are engag tia-men paraded before the King aned in coast trade with Cheklang. his new Premier. The day after Mus. solini went to work on his Fascis State.
To-morrow: 17 years as Dictator.
This area affords the quickest sea route from Shanghai to North-East Chekiang, from where the Kiangsu
!:་་
PORTSMOUTH
London, To-day. been
Admiral Sir William James has appointed Commander-in- Chief, Portsmouth, in succession to Admiral of the Fleet the Earl Cork and Orrery,
of.
30.-Reuter.
The appointment dates from June
Railway runs to Central China and Hunan Province.
!
The Japanese action is presumably in connection with the general cam- paign to tighten up the blockade of the China coast.—Trans-Ocean.
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