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MUSSOLINI
PROVOCATIVE SPEECH
Something to Say to Old s
Europe" I
FAITH DAY RESPONSE
ROME, Wednesday.
"Ponting is the third commune to
be redeemed from the Pontine
Marshes and will be followed by
Aprilia in 1933 and Pomezia in 1937,"
declared Signor Mussolini in inaugurating
the wedding ring gift day."
Il Duce declared that Ponting was
being opened on the day of the Faith
(the words for faith and the wedding
ring are identical in Italian). Day,
on which Italy's fruitful mothers
will pour their wedding rings on the
country's alter-the day of the
peoples' unfailing faith in Italy's destiny.
Signor Mussolini's metaphor was
illustrated by the presence before the
beflagged platform, of a crucible for
the melting of the wedding rings and
ear-rings of the Pontiac women as
they surrendered them for the use of
the state.
It Duce embraced many donors of
the rings which he poured into the
crucible with his own hands. A total
of 3086 ounces of gold, 7216 ounces
of silver, and 1333 lbs of scrap iron
were given.
Signor Mussolini concluded, "As
we conquer the Pontine marshes, so
shall we fight our African battle and
emerge victorious. It will take time,
but time does not matter as much as
victory."
In Rome, the Queen impressively
inaugurated the wedding ring day,
placing her own and the King's rings
in a huge brazier facing the Unknown
Warrior's tomb. Subsequently, the
royal couple received steel substitutes
which were blessed by the Army
Chaplain-General. s
Even more significant than It
Duce's Pontine speech was an un-
signed article in the "Popolo d
Italia," almost certainly written by
Signor Mussolini, which said, "The
Fascist Grand Council may have
something to say to old Europe. Italy
will never be subdued by the im-
socialistic seige organised by 50
States of the old discordant, decadent
Europe, which has neither
energy, authority, nor moral right to
subdue the Italian people."
Among the 50,000 rings given in
to-day were those of Signor Mussolini
and his wife.
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