The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)

[KaiserDave]

OUTRAGEOUS! Il Duce SLAMS Anti-Austrian Conspiracy

Il Duce delivered a searing speech in Trento to an assembled crowd of Italians and Südtirol Germans who had gathered from the entire region of Trentino-Alto Adige to hear the Leader speak on the outrageous betrayal of the Austrian national-community by a desperate conspiracy of Berlin puppets. Il Duce tore into the conspirators, and called on the Austrian people to resist the attacks on their nationhood.

"Brothers of Italy! No doubt you have heard of the outrageous scandal that has occurred in Vienna in recent days. Where a desperate, violent conspiracy has manifested itself. For years, it has been the policy of Italy and the policy of fascism to support Austria's national identity and sovereignty. We recognize Austria as a distinct nation of patriots, who have fought to defend their cohesion from the threat of North German aggression and the bloody tide of Marxist chaos. We saw how Dolfuß took from the Italian example of fascism to conquer the enemies of the nation. With Italian support, he was able to break the forces of anarchy in Austria. And then he was martyred for the cause of Austrian nationalism. He died, he spilled his blood so that Austria could be free. As he laid down and died, asking for a priest to deliver upon him his last rites, he died contented in that he had devoted his life and works to the Austrian national-community.

Today, Dolfuß's memory, his legacy has been cruelly and disgustingly betrayed! The North German Berlin conspirators have designed to turn over Austria to those who are not Austrian! They have introduced despite the firm opposition of the Austrofascist movement - which is demonstrated by the mass mobilization of the population into the streets, and the outrage of the honorable Herr Schuschnigg - this inane concept of a referendum to decide the status of Austria! What a sick joke! The question of nationhood is not solved by an exercise of feeble liberalism! It is already decided by the history of thousands of years! Austria is a nation, whether some referendum recognizes it or not. It is a truth consecrated by the Catholic faith of millions of Austrian patriots, and by the spilled blood of thousands of Austrians in the fields of Central Europe in the early days of the 19th century, and by the blood of the great Dolfuß not far from where I stand! It is an irrevocable fact of history and life! Italy will strongly, absolutely oppose any abrogation of Austrian nationhood, as we have stated again and again.

Not to mention, this referendum plan is entirely illegal. It was announced without the agreement of the other members of the government, and without the support of the Fatherland Front. It is a direct betrayal of the foundational principles of the Austrofascist movement. First, there was the shameful, disrespectful dismissal of Ernst Rüdiger Starhemberg, who has dedicated his life to the party and the nation. And then the announcement of the referendum, made without the support of Herr Schuschnigg or the other members of the government! It is a decision solely made by a few desperate men, it is without the support of the Austrian people, it is entirely anti-Austrian in nature. I call upon the true patriots of the Fatherland Front to resist, to resist this fraud. No referendum can deny what is cast in stone by history, the independence of the Austrian nation. We salute those who have taken to the streets to express their outrage of the actions of their own government who pledged to defend their rights. We call upon all Austrian patriots to go into the streets to demand that their country not be stolen from them. We call upon them to show vigilance! This conspiracy has also opened the country to the threat of Bolshevik infiltration! While the government conspires, the defense relaxes. I tell the Austrian patriots, do not let a single red run free!

Italians, make no mistake, this is a threat to Italy. But if the Hun wants to jump over the Alps to attack our state, he would be a fool. We are the conquerors of Dalmazia, we who have now returned Albania to the Italian fold, we are the inheritors of greatness, and above all, we have the doctrine of fascism! We will always be capable of defending ourselves! So commit yourselves to your labors to strengthen our Italian nation, together we will prevail!"

The speech was recorded on the Italian radio and by the foreign press, it was also broadcasted (translated) with the intent to be caught by radio stations in Austria. A German translation was also played on loudspeakers from the Italian embassy in Vienna.

[KaiserDave]

Triumph in Albania

Another military victory for the fatherland has been celebrated with public celebrations in Rome and other major cities of the nation. A military parade in Rome was accompanied by non-stop playing of fascist music from public loudspeakers, a dozen of the newly designed Carro Armato M11/39 medium tank, the only models in the country, parading in the streets, thousands of soldiers, Blackshirts, veterans of the Albania campaign, banners, a memorial to the martyrs of the Pola, and Albanian banners and prisoners of war who were thrown before the feet of Il Duce and the commanders, a common sight in today's Italy of Fascism. Il Duce invited the King, newly announced as King of the Albanians (alongside a fascist collaboration government), and the Crown Prince to join him on the balcony, where he was also joined by Italo Balbo and Galeazzo Ciano. Il Duce spoke in which he proclaimed that all enemies of the Italian people, all those who attempt to frustrate their destiny, would be totally destroyed.

The events across the country had somewhat of a nervous atmosphere however, as so many worry about the threat of war with Germany, and the ongoing crisis in Austria. That said, the mood of the population was jubilant, and the praise heaped upon Il Duce by the adoring crowd immense. Celebrations persisted deep into the night as groups of drunken Italians, civilian and soldier belted out Giovinezza and Saluto al Duce into the night. The image of Il Duce is everywhere in the New Italy, extolling the glory and virtues of fascism. Banners hang from lines above the streets and from windows, they can be seen flying in the countryside, and in social places everyone is discussing the victories of Italy.

[KaiserDave]

Statement from the Elysee

The Hohenzollerns have again shown their true colors and have violated the sovereignty of a neutral and sovereign state of Europe. The German invasion of Austria is an unacceptable violation of the European peace and a shattering of the norms that preserved peace in the center of the continent for 20 years.

Germany must withdraw at once from Austria or consider diplomatic relations with the French government broken. If my government does not hear a response within 24 hours the French Republic will begin a partial mobilization in line with our and our allies’ obligations in the Stresa Front.

The Kingdom of Italy signs on to this statement and Il Duce personally demands a German withdrawal.

[KaiserDave]

Special Address from Il Duce to the Italian Nation

The broadcast is carried throughout Italy and in the colonies and territories of the empire. The broadcast is preceded by a news broadcast of recent Serbian war crimes, and then a playing of "Saluto al Duce", then the voice of Il Duce is heard...

Men and women of Italy. There are times in the thousand years of the history of humanity, and of civilization, and of Italian civilization, where very little happens in a decade, and there are times when a decade happens in a year. This is one of those times. Much has occurred in recent weeks. But fear not, I, your Duce am always here, tirelessly working for our fatherland to secure her destiny. Always working, always fighting, always participating in the historical struggle for Italy. I tell you, people of Italy, I will not rest until we have our nation fully realized, our sea, and our rights.

I extend a revolutionary and national salute to Giovanni Messe and our soldiers of the Albanian campaign! With great precision and skill our forces conquered the feeble resistance of a greedy mad King. The people of Albania have greeted us as liberators. The separation of Albania from Italy was a mistake of history, a mistake we have now corrected. The cowardly Albanian King fled into the Serbian entity to join his allies, the barbarian savages of Belgrade, he as well took his gold reserves with him! And he called himself a patriot! What a pathetic nuisance, history is very well done with him. Our King Victor Emmanuel the Third has taken up the crown of Albania. Albania has joined the fatherland.

In Croatia, there was an attempted seizure of power by Belgrade criminals and a campaign of bandits against the state. There was a great deal of chaos. This was not acceptable, I instructed our forces to put a stop to such nonsense, which they accomplished successfully. I congratulate the Leader of the Croatian people, Ante Pavelic on his accession to power. The Italian forces will stand with him to crush the Serbian provocations and the bandits who are attempting to cause chaos and anarchy in Croatia. Even now the Serbian regency is planning to take back Croatia and eliminate its inhabitants by driving them into the sea. We must stay vigilant in that area, but our forces have proven themselves to be totally superior, I trust in their abilities.

In Austria, we have witnessed a horrible crime. Patriotic forces attempted to take back their state, just as we took back our state from the forces of liberalism that were destroying our country in 1922. Just as we took our nation from the brink of extinction, so did the nationalist forces of Austria. These forces were tragically unable to succeed due to the criminal aggression of the Berlin conspirators. On the brink of returning control of Austria to Austrians, German forces have entered the country. This is an unspeakable aggression, totally unacceptable action of invasion. Italy has made treaties to expressly disallow this. A Fascist can NEVER show weakness, NEVER go back on his word, so for that reason I personally demanded that Germany withdraw their forces or force the full might of the French and Italian armies. Today, the German Chancellor agreed to our demands, and has withdrawn his forces.

Though our threat of overwhelming and superior military force has preserved the peace between our nations. The situation in Austria remains dark. The cretinous worm Emil Fey is determined on a course of bringing Austria into Germany in an outrageous liberal referendum. Most likely he will use force to rig such a referendum for his preferred outcome, submission to North Germany. Whoever betrays their nation in this matter is the lowest of the low. Traitors are scum, never forget this. I will not tolerate traitors in Italy. The Kingdom of Italy will never recognize the results of this sham referendum under any circumstances. I have ordered Marshal Graziani, and our diplomatic and security staff in Vienna to immediately return home where their services are needed. It is a total outrage what has happened in Austria and Italy lodges its most furious and sincere protests for this historical tragedy. I can only imagine what my late friend, Engelbert Dolfuß would have said. I still mourn him, a hero.

Men and women of Italy. Our nation is guarded by our Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is guarded by millions of armed patriots who will take up the rifle and sword if we are ever threatened. Most of all it is guarded by fascism, which makes us totally invincible to the schemes of the enemy, the tide of anarchy, and the forces of Bolshevism. With fascism we go on! With your Duce we go on! Despite it all, we go on! Despite that the antiquated British Empire is ablaze with revolution and war, we go on! Despite instability in France and conspiracies from Moscow and Berlin, we go on! I say to you the eternal doctrine of fascism, unshakable and iron, is Italy First! Italy First, Italy always, Italy forever!

We do not hesitate to work with other nations. As everyone knows we are in fact foremost in the world in terms of our cooperation with other nations, we are the ones who brought about the Anti-Bolshevik Pact with Spain, Japan, and Hungary to cooperate against the red menace. We extend our hands to all those civilized and decent nations who will work against the vile Marxist menace. We have worked with France to contain the war-making threats of Berlin. But we must always remember that our duty is to Italy, always and forever! So despite it all, despite the chaos of the world, remember we have the fascism, we have the Army, we have I, your Duce. We have a history of greatness, and history will bear out the final supremacy of superior civilization, we will realize our destiny. Our sacred blood at the Isonzo will be vindicated. God gave us fascism, and with it we shall be victorious. I promise to always protect Italy from harm, and to secure our rights, as I have in Dalmazia and Albania. We will continue to achieve splendid successes in the economy and in production. We will continue to be victorious in all the struggles we wage for the glory of our beautiful nation. Countrymen, remember, long live the immortal truths of fascism! And Italy First, all for Italy!  

[KaiserDave]

Protests Against German Aggression

Despite reports of successful diplomatic discussions between the German Reich, the Kingdom of Italy, and the French Republic, over the Austrian Crisis, and the withdrawal of German forces from the embattled Federal State, the Fascist State has kept up bellicose rhetoric over the seemingly likely ascendance of Austria to union with Germany. State broadcasters routinely denounce "North German conspiracies" and "vigilance against German espionage and sabotage" portraying Chancellor Hugenberg and Kaiser Wilhelm III as privileged creatures of the reactionary Junker aristocracy. Marshal Balbo declared over the radio that "fascism was forged in the crucible of war! I bled for the motherland, Il Duce bled for the motherland. Fascism is born in the knowledge of how to fight! The effete Kaiser and his Chancellor have NEVER been in the fight! This determines the superiority of nations."

On the border crossing with Austria near Tarvisio, a very large portrait of the faces of Il Duce and the deceased President Dolfuß has been erected, that lights up at night and can be visible from far across the border. At that site, and along several other border crossings and mountain passes, smaller versions of that image have been erected, and border crossings near populated areas have had loudspeakers installed to play traditional Austrian music, and songs of the Fatherland Front over the border. Numerous streets in Italy (including Rome) and in Südtirol have been named after Dolfuß, and a memorial is being constructed to the friendship between him and Il Duce outside Milan.

Despite these actions, there has been no military build up on the border or anything like that. The rhetoric of the state has carefully avoided any mention of armed conflict, and the Italian ambassador and his staff remain in Berlin. Il Duce is reported to be in constant talks with his counterparts in Berlin and Paris, and has no conducted any military inspections or visits on the border with Austria.

Other National Policies

A raft of new policies of have come down from Rome in the wake of a conference of senior fascist leadership, these include....

There has been a reorganization of the youth organizations of the Fascist Party. There has been some tension between state youth organs and the age old traditional youth organizations of the Roman Catholic Church. Il Duce has sworn to maintain his agreements with the Church, allowing their organizations to coexist freely with the organs of the state, with parents being able to pick between organizations of the Church and the State. The state organs are open to Jews, Protestants, and Muslims as well as Catholics.

The Organizzazione Nazionale della Gioventù Balilla (ONGB), has been reorganized, to organize male youth aged 9-14. The ONGB will teach the values of the fascist state, patriotism, enthusiasm for the empire, loyalty to the Duce, basic practical skills that could be used in military service (knot tying, fire starting, use of the Resolza, etc). It will also promote Catholic values of piety, filial piety, the traditional family, and honor. The ONGB will organize summer camps and backpacking trips to promote solidarity, practical skills, and fascist ideology.

The Lega Giovani Fascisti dei Vespri (or simply, the Lega) is the new youth organization for young fascist men aged 14-28 to educate the fascists of the future. Whereas the ONGB is open to all, the Lega is only open to those who show particular aptitude for leadership. The goal of the Lega is to prepare the next generation of fascist leaders, which means an extensive ideological education. It means as well as to further military training, with the Lega including an extensive paramilitary wing. It further includes education in the career of choice, in technology, and in history.

The Lega delle Ragazze Italiane (LRI) has been organized to educate Italian girls aged 9 to 16 on the duties of women in the fascist society, traditional notions of femininity and motherhood, the importance of raising as many children as possible for the benefit of the nation, and the practical skills of motherhood and home-making in an age appropriate way as they grow through the organization. The LRI will provide a basic political education in fascist and nationalist principles, as well as promote Catholic notions of the role of women.

Il Duce has redoubled his commitment to the Betar Naval Academy in Civitavecchia of Ze'ev Jabotinsky and his Revisionist Zionist Naval Cadets, extending their lease. Marshal Balbo in fact visited the academy to extend revolutionary and national greetings to the cadets, where he was received with a Roman salute. Balbo briefly spoke, firstly offering to welcome these Jews into the Italian nation if they so desired, commending their "martial spirit" and lack of "antiquated superstitions" as befitting fascism. Failing that, he offered his personal support for a Jewish state in Palestine along the lines that Jabotinsky has described. The Italian government has voted in favor of a Jewish state in the League of Nations, however Balbo's statements were not backed up by Rome, who has rather attempted to curry favor with Arab leaders as of late. Overall, the event has not seen much press coverage.

Italian media has been ablaze with reports of Serbian barbarity as of late, with news reels showing a sanitized version of the crimes committed in Sarajevo. It seems that state media these days is speaking so much of the threat posed by the Serbian entity, still known as the "Kingdom of Yugoslavia." Not only do they speak of the crimes of the Serbian forces, but also of their imminent military build up on the border with Croatia, and the threat of war. Ante Pavelic has been introduced to the Italian public as an ideological comrade of Il Duce, who is prepared to beat back the threat of the Serbs. The exiled King Zog of Albania and the imprisoned Vladko Macek of the HSS have been depicted as part of a larger Belgrade conspiracy to threaten Italy. Fortunately, as propaganda always emphasizes, Italy has the Army, Fascism, and Il Duce.

Il Duce extended an invitation to the leader of the British Union of Fascists (which now has parliamentary representation), Oswald Mosley, to visit Italy. He extended his revolutionary and national salute to the man who has taken after his example in the British Isles. Il Duce has proclaimed Oswald Mosley to be a man of character and honor, and the only man capable of leading the British fascists in their effort to lead the masses. Il Duce has expressed sentiment that "Italy and Britain are perhaps natural partners and allies to co-govern the Mediterranean, but Britain needs strength. I do not see that in London today, I see weakness and complacency. Signor Mosley represents strength."

Oswald Mosley responded to the invitation with enthusiasm. He had been to Fascist Italy once before, in 1932, but only a visitor, now he is a guest of Il Duce. Il Duce greeted Mosley at the airport personally, where they together, Mosley in his blackshirt uniform and peaked cap, inspected a group of Italian Sailors presenting arms. Il Duce took Mosley in his car through a parade in Rome where they were received by the population, waving Italian flags and the flag of the BUF and greeting Mosley with a "Eia Eia, Alalà!" Il Duce took Signor Mosley around to show him numerous sites emblematic of the new Italy. To see soldiers, to see industrial works, new architecture and statues, and a youth camp of the ONGB.

Il Duce and Signor Mosley held several private strategy conferences and dinners. Il Duce said to a group of the press in Rome that, "Britannia is a great Empire, they conquered half of all the continents of the world. Now they cannot handle a few Iraqi tribesmen and Turkish aeroplanes. It is a credit to the Arabs and the Turks, but most of all it is an indictment of the folly of English liberalism. If Signor Mosley was Prime Minister, we would get along very well with Britain. And Britain would not be dealing with these present problems."

Very little is known on their private conferences, but it is known that Italy is showing they are open to the possibility of cooperating with a friendly Britain....  

[KaiserDave]

Statement of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Kingdom of Italy

The Kingdom of Italy and Il Duce are disturbed by the military coup in the Republic of Czechoslovakia and the disruption of normal government practice. As a creditor to the Republic and a neighbor, the Kingdom is seriously concerned by any instability and will suspend any payments for the economy recovery of the Czechoslovak state until order is restored.

--

We are further dismayed by the arrest of General Radola Gajda, a sincere friend of the Italian people. The arrest of Mr. Gadja should concern the civilized world, especially at a time of renewed threat of Marxist terror against Europe. The Italian government demands the immediate release of General Gadja and the conclusion of general peace between the Prague government and the National Fascist Community.

--

The Kingdom of Italy remains neutral in the internal affairs of Czechoslovakia, and the general dispute between the governments of Germany, France, Britain, and Czechoslovakia. It is not in the interest of the Italian government to intervene in an international dispute over the old hinterlands of the Marcomanni. The Kingdom hopes that the violence will be avoided from all parties.  


Il Duce is said to have commented that this is a "blonde people affair"

[KaiserDave]

President Koc is pleased to announce he's now allied with Italy and part of his anti Kommintern alliance!


X PRESIDENT KOC

Il Duce agrees to the conclusive of a defensive alliance treaty with Poland to defend the other in case of attack

X IL DUCE BENITO MUSSOLINI

[KaiserDave]

In the immediate hours after the breaking of news of the USSR's invasion of Bessarabia, Il Duce was seen reviewing soldiers of the 7th Infantry Division "Lupi di Toscana" in Lombardy, and inspecting warplanes of the Regia Aeronautica, especially the most modern fighter plane models. He was also in meetings with Achille Starace, Chief of Staff of the Blackshirts. He then returned to Rome to conduct important diplomatic discussions with Poland, Bulgaria, and others. He delivered this speech over Italian Radio in the evening of that same day, to be broadcasted to all homes and in public squares, and to the international press, as well as to Italians living abroad all over the world.

EUROPE ASSAILED BY BARBARIANS: IL DUCE SPEAKS

Vincere! Vincere! Vincere! E Vinceremo in terra, cielo e mare!
è la parola d'ordine d'una suprema volontà
Vincere! Vincere! Vincere!
Ad ogni costo, nessun ci fermerà!
I cuori esultano, son pronti a obbedir, son pronti lo giurano: o vincere o morir!

...Static....

Men and women of Italy. It is your Duce. I speak to all Italians, in the homeland, and abroad in this perilous hour. I speak also to all of Europe, as I understand it, translated broadcasts of this address will be delivered across the world. I understand there has been great fear in Europe today, with the news that 500,000 red soldiers of Marshal Tuchachevsky have crossed the frontier into Bessarabia with the goal of absorbing the whole of the Latin Romanians into their bloody dominion. Right now, the Romanian front soldiers are courageously holding back the horde of reds to the last man, with the blood of the Romans in their veins, they fight with the strength of 10 men, but their situation is very dangerous, with the overwhelming Asiatic maw of Bolshevik Russia directed towards them. Casualties are very high on both sides.

I have spoken many times on the existential threat that Bolshevism, and Bolshevik Russia poses to European civilization, and to Italy. Today, what I have been saying for years is vindicated. Soviet Russia is commanded by a savage madman who only understands conquest and bloodshed in service of his Marxist idolatry. First he deployed his forces against the Chinese race, now he does against the Latin race, and the European race. The victory of the Bolsheviks in Romania would mean the destruction of Latin civilization in that region, thousands of dead innocents, and another staging ground for the Bolsheviks to strike at the heart of Europe itself, our great Italian super-civilization. The Bolsheviks are most villainous, vile, violent creatures, who have destroyed civilization in Russia, and aim to destroy civilization in all of Europe. They will not settle in Romania, the goal of all Marxists, and of the Soviet Bolsheviks, is the Bolshevization of all of Europe. They want you dead, your women enslaved, and your children indoctrinated, and they are coming for all of us. We face an inescapable choice between the Bolshevization of Italy and the destruction of civilization and all that makes life beautiful, and victory over Bolshevik Russia and their armies of barbarism! Like our Roman ancestors, we face an army of Barbarians from the endless hinterlands of the east, they come to destroy us, and to break our will, but Italians, Europeans, we stand united, more than ever, against them, and like the Romans we will stand victorious, civilization WILL prevail over barbarism!

Italians, we are armed with the immortal ideology of fascism. With fascism, we reversed the crimes of the mutilated victory, with fascism, we conquered Dalmatia and Albania, with fascism, we conquered the Adriatic for ourselves, with fascism we conquered the international economic crisis, and with fascism we will conquer Bolshevism! I, your Duce will lead us to victory, or to the death, but I will only accept victory, in all my life it has been the pursuit of victory.  

Italians, nobody in the history of Italy has stood for the rights of Italy, and the rightful destiny of Italy more than I. I will always stand for our rights, for our rights as Master of the Mediterranean, for our rights as the masters of our own destiny. Today I also ask you to consider yourself part of the European civilization, the Latin European civilization that our forefathers built stretches from Lisbon to Bessarabia. That civilization is now under threat, existentially. We must defend it, so today I am calling on all the national forces of Europe, and all the fascist forces, and all the nations who stand for civilization, to unite behind Italy! I am prepared to lead a great crusade into the black heart of Bolshevism! We live on the frontier of the battle for civilization, and I ask Europeans to move swiftly together for victory over the enemy! Italy extends her hand to the frontier nations in the struggle against the enemy, the Ukrainians, the Poles, the Baltic peoples, the Finns, and the Romanians, we offer our assistance. We extend a revolutionary and national salute to the Ukrainian people, a proud nation of warriors, who recently have reignited the glorious flame of their national-revolution against the Bolsheviks who despise them.

I further call upon the Christian peoples of Russia to immediately take up arms and rise up against the blood-drinker Tuchachevsky! He will drown what is left of the proud Russian nation in the fires of war and the blood of his Bolshevik policy! In a few short years, if he has his way, there will be no Russia, only the internationalist Marxist maw! Rise up now, or face the Chekist firing squad! Italy stands with you!

I have today, inspected the fighting capacity of our armed forces. They are ready and waiting to strike hard against the enemy if they approach. We have the strongest army, the most potent navy, the most able Air Force, and I have no doubt in their supreme fighting abilities. Then later today I concluded a defensive alliance with the Polish nation. They are on the frontline against the enemy, and they have defeated them before. In the finest hour of the Polish nation, with the intercession of Heaven, in 1920, the Polish people smashed the invading army of the Bolshevists. They proved with blood and valor their right to exist on this Earth, so the Italian nation extends the hand of friendship. Italy is only allied with the strong, and the Poles have proven their strength many times. I have also been in discussions with the Romanians, and I have offered them whatever assistance they may require. I have heard that there are Italians willing to take up arms to defend their Latin brothers.

Italians, Europeans! The Italy of Fascism is the defender of Europe! The legionnaire, poised with gladius in hand, to defend Europe's superior Latin civilization from the maw of the Bolshevik! Rally to the banner of Italy, and of fascism! Together, we can defend Europe! I extend my revolutionary and national salute to the soldiers of Romania in this hour of destiny, and I pray for their success. Italy is with them, and if needed, Italians will march in a Great Crusade to purge Europe of the Red Menace.

Long live Italy! Long live European Latin Civilization! Fortress Europe will defend itself, if armed with fascism, we can never be defeated! Hail, Italy of Fascism, ever-victorious!  

A Great Crusade?

[KaiserDave]

Montpellier Pact

The French Republic, and the Kingdom of Italy, hereafter the Signatories, bound together by common interests and friendship agree to the following:

1 . The Signatories agree to consult one another on all relevant security concerns in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
2 . The Signatories agree to undertake all efforts to preserve freedom of movement and transit in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
3 . The Signatories reaffirm their commitment to the Locarno Treaties.
4 . The Signatories reaffirm their commitment to the preservation of stability and peace in North Africa.
5 . The Signatories reaffirm their commitment to the preservation of their respective national sovereignty and independence.

xÉdouard Daladier

X Il Duce Benito Mussolini

[KaiserDave]

EIAR News Broadcast

Red Army ground to a halt by Chinese heroes....

Chinese soldier replicates feats of antiquity, proves martial valor against red horde...

Bloody urban battle between Chinese and Japanese forces, no conclusive result, thousands dead...

German armored forces overrun French forces in Belgium, drive back Saarland attack....

German bombers deal catastrophic devastation to Netherlands, massive flooding reported, innumerable casualties...

Prime Minister Daladier thrown out of office, French forces in retreat, Paris under threat....

German columns approach Paris, city defenses erected....

There are conclusive reports of the Serbian Army gunning down Muslim rebels in Bosnia by the thousand, men, women, children subject to the unchained wrath of Serbian barbarians. 100 Villages burnt to the ground....

Serbian Army dealt devastating blow by superior Bulgarian forces in Macedonia. Joint Bulgar-IMRO forces win victory after victory, native Macedonians flock to the banner of the Tsar, Tsar thanks Rome for air power sales....

Il Duce warns Serbians, Italy will not countenance their "savagery" and "crimes against civilized existence"....

Bessarabia and Romania a sea of flames of blood. Heroic Italian race leads international army against the Reds. Minor Soviet advances are made with massive casualties, catastrophic loss of life. Major Soviet breakthrough of any kind prevented by United Anti-Bolshevik forces. Blackshirts and Romanian forces drive off Bolshevik madness at Galati and Ismail. Over 60,000 Bolshevik casualties. Fool-Butcher Marshal Blyukher destroys Soviet youth on the rock of the New Fascist Man. Many martyrs, to be published in the papers...

Bolshevik Commissars execute captured Italian Legionnaires on sight, massacre local Romanian population, churches burnt to the ground, villages wiped out....

Madman Tuchachevsky orders destruction of Romanian will to fight, brutal killings of Priests, Farmers, entire families shot to death.....

Il Duce to commence urgent diplomatic discussions with Paris, London, Berlin, seek resolution to European conflicts...

[KaiserDave]

Canadian-Italian Nonaggression Pact

1. The Dominion of Canada and the Kingdom of Italy agree to enter a five-year period of nonaggression. This shall include avoiding direct ground, air, and naval combat. This shall not including providing arms, humanitarian assistance, or logistic supports to potential combatants.
2. The Dominion of Canada and the Kingdom of Italy agree that commercial shipping lanes in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea must be preserved regardless of any ongoing or potential conflicts.
3. The Dominion of Canada and the Kingdom of Italy commit to providing safe harbor to refugees and displaced peoples as a result of conflict in Europe, pursuant to specific national statutes.
4. The Dominion of Canada and the Kingdom of Italy shall avoid engaging in espionage or subversive actions against each other.
5. Either signatory may terminate this Pact unilaterally by submitting a letter to the other signatory.

x
RB Bennett
Prime Minister

x
Benito Mussolini
Il Duce

[KaiserDave]

THE DAWN OF THE LEAGUE OF ROME

The LEAGUE of ROME

We assembled, the governments of the Kingdom of Italy, Kingdom of Hungary, Tsardom of Bulgaria, Independent State of Croatia, and Republic of Slovenia resolve to an alliance of mutual defense and security for the defense of civilization, the rights of our national communities, and protection of southern Europe from external threats. The Duce of Italy, Admiral-Prime Minister of Hungary, Tsar of Bulgaria, Poglavnik of Croatia, and President of Slovenia recognize one another as invaluable partners in the struggle for the rights of the nation against the forces of terrorism and ultraliberalism. The Tsar of Bulgaria, King of Hungary, and King of Italy recognize one another on the level of their ancient, august, and noble houses as equals and allies in the struggle for God, Fatherland, and Family against encroaching forces of chaos and degeneracy.

Signatories agree to defend each other by force of arms in the case of attack

Signatories agree to coordinate on matters of security and defense

Signatories agree to coordinate and cooperate for matters of mutual economic benefit, and provide preference for one another in trade and international commerce

Signatories agree to cooperate in areas of suppressing internal subversives and malcontents

Signatories agree for joint military planning and cooperation in peacetime

xIL DUCE, Benito Mussolini

[KaiserDave]

Declaration on the Anti-Terrorist and Partisan Operation

In the view of the deteriorating security situation in the Independent State of Croatia, an ally and partner of the Kingdom of Italy, and the increased presence of Serbian-backed bandits, terrorists, partisans, and Soviet-backed communist elements, the government of the Kingdom of Italy hereby authorizes the anti-terrorist and partisan operation to eliminate the anti-state and anti-Croatia elements from the countryside. The authority of the Poglavnik, the esteemed Dr. Ante Pavelić is supreme and unquestionable, bandits, terrorists, and partisans that defy the authority of the Croatian state are the enemies of Italy, and will be treated mercilessly.

Il Duce tasks Major General Mario Roatta with command of an Army of Occupation of Three Army Corps to take control of the Croatian countryside and towns and eliminate the threat of terrorism and banditry from undermining the authority of the Croatian state.

Amnesty will be offered to those non-communist individuals and groups who submit themselves to the authority of the Ustaše and the Italian Army and agree to work for the improved greatness of Croatia.

For communists, and those who continue to resist the authority of the Ustaše, as well as those groups which have committed treason against the Croatian nation by accepting support from the perfidious Serbs and the barbarian Bolshevik the punishment will be severe and supreme.

IL DUCE, Benito Mussolini

[KaiserDave]

Press Conference of Il Duce Granted to the Foreign Press

Signor Mussolini, what is the purpose of the League of Rome?
The League of Rome formalizes what already exists. The Italian nation is the Master of the Adriatic, the Balkans, and soon the whole Mediterranean. The League of Rome is the organization of those nations whom the dictates of fate, destiny, and strength have determined shall rule Southern Europe. Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, these are proud, virile nations that have partnered with Italy, mother of civilizations, as the guarantor of their security from the forces which are lighting Europe on fire today. Together we are united like the fasces against whichever force attempts to threaten us, whether it be Serbian provocateurs, plutodemocracies, or butcher Tuchachevsky's red horde.

So is it war then?
All life is struggle, and the Italy of Fascism, and her allies, surely will be victorious and superior civilization will triumph over barbarians.

Signor Mussolini, you claimed that the rebels in Croatia are supported by foreign powers, do you have evidence of this?
There are many different groups of terrorists and bandits in Croatia who deny the authority of Doctor Pavelić. They have robbed banks, destroyed power and communication lines, pillaged villages, and attacked Croatian and Italian military forces. They are plainly bandits of the lowest order, stealing with the thinnest veneer of political ideology. There are renegade factions of the HSS among them, although the legitimate national and patriotic majority as joined the government of Doctor Pavelić. We have evidence that these bandits have received arms and ammunition from the Serbs, who have been engaged in smuggling operations. Our Anti-Terrorist campaign will surely put an end to this.

There are also the partisans, loyal to the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, who is in turn an extension of the Red Army which know is ransacking and looting the frontiers of Eastern Europe. These Bolsheviks are a direct threat to the security of all of Europe and they cannot be allowed to exist. It is our goal to wipe them out before they can unite with the Red Army. For this end we will spare no expense.

Signor Mussolini, what do you know of events in Bosnia?
What has transpired in Bosnia has been hidden from public view almost entirely by the Belgrade barbarians. But we have obtained evidence on what exactly has gone on. Italy has previously published information on Serbian massacres against Croats and Bosnians during the last war, but the latest revelations are even larger in scale and even more repellent to our collective sensibilities. In the year 1938, the Colonel's Regime in Belgrade has pursued a policy of extermination and mass murder against the Bosnian and Croatian population. They have burnt hundreds of villages to the ground, wiping them off the map entirely, and massacring the population. Bosnians and Croats have been subject to the most foul violence, which I will not detail for the sake of the women of Italy. There are full manuscripts (gestures paper in the air) which detail the graphic crimes and savageries done by the Serbian forces. Within Serbia, the propaganda of Stevan Moljević has called for the extermination of the Croats left within Serbia's borders, I believe imminently they are planning for wholesale massacres of whoever is left. Surely more has yet to be uncovered.

I tell you, these Serbian Colonels are wild animals. They are wild dogs, they are mad and violent and surely they will kill, kill, kill until they are brought to heel.

Signore, is Serbia an enemy of Italy?
The Serbs are the enemy of civilization, they are barbarians. The Bulgarians are not only fighting for their natural rights to Macedon, but to defend the Latin, civilized roots of southern Europe from the violent savagery of Belgrade. Italy is the defender of European civilization, so it naturally follows we are enemy of the Serbs and their crimes against civilization.

Signor Mussolini, will there be war between Italy and Serbia?
That is up to the Croatian people, for if they seek the liberation of their brothers from Serbian corruption and barbarian violence, they will surely unite, and with Italian assistance, we shall restore order and justice. So I tell you Croats, if you cannot stand to see the murder of your compatriots, unite together!

[KaiserDave]

Rome-Berlin Protocols

In the interests of mutual security and respect, the governments of the Kingdom of Italy and of the German Reich come to the following accords to recognize the interests of their respective nations in areas of defense, economy, and security and to re-establish normal diplomatic relations.

The Kingdom of Italy and the German Reich resolve to adopt a policy of non-aggression towards the other

The Kingdom of Italy and the German Reich resolve to not violate one another's spheres of influence, national community boundaries, and security zones

The Kingdom of Italy and the German Reich resolve to peaceably conclude any past disagreements regarding the status of borderlands, and abandon any claims or doubts on territorial holdings

The Kingdom of Italy and the German Reich resolve to respectful cooperation in areas of intelligence and controlling internal subversive elements

The Kingdom of Italy and the German Reich resolve to mutual understanding and benefit in areas of trade and commerce

The Kingdom of Italy and the German Reich jointly resolve to uphold free navigation and trade in the Mediterranean Sea

x Benito Mussolini, IL DUCE

[KaiserDave]

EIAR News Broadcast

Carnage in the Orient, Japanese forces in bitter stalemate with Army of Generalissimo Chiang...

Brutal fighting in France, no side achieves victory....

Il Duce redoubles commitment to neutrality in Entente-Germany conflict, offers role as a mediator to end fighting....

Il Duce issues message of mourning and sadness on the occasion of the death of His Holiness, "a man of principle, deep faith, conviction, and whose resolve for peace and against the forces of degeneracy was like steel."....

Red Army BEATEN on the field of Romania, catastrophic casualties, disorganized retreat of Tuchachevksy's forces...

Blackshirts and Romanian and Greek forces deal Red Army it's worst defeat yet at Ploiesti and Bucharest, Red Army in total disarray...

German air raid breaks the back of the Red Army, Red commander Vasily Blyukher dead...

Total retreat of the Red forces, Romania saved...

Red Army in Poland surrounded by Polish and Blackshirt forces, cut off, under attack...

Catastrophic Red losses, total defeat....

Tuchachevsky wounded during the fighting, total chaos in Bolshevik camp....

Bolshevik order bursting at the scenes, revolts across the country, military catastrophe, political chaos...

Il Duce declares "collapse of the headquarters of Bolshevism" may soon be upon us...

Intensified terrorist action in Croatia...

Bolshevik partisans defeated on the field, in full retreat...

Bandits in retreat in Croatia, law and order restored to sections of the countryside...

Serbian forces beaten entirely by Bulgarian Royal Army, in full retreat...

Albanian bandit raids driven back by Italian Army...

Desperate massacres of Croats reported in Serbian territory, rising death toll....



Il Duce has been reported by the foreign press to have commented to Marshal Balbo, "The Serbs are beaten on the field, they have nothing left to give, they have committed national suicide. We only need present ourselves, and we will conquer."

[KaiserDave]

The Establishment of the Ufficio Globale del Partito Fascista (UGPF)

Il Duce has ordered the establishment of the Ufficio Globale del Partito Fascista, or UGPF, the Global Office of the Fascist Party, too lead and coordinate the activities of the National Fascist Party on a global scale. The PNF conducts numerous operations across the world, for the interest of the protection of the fascist state and the projection of Italian power. There are numerous parties, organizations, and groups across the world that seek the self-strengthening of their respective nations against the degenerating forces of liberalism, plutocracy, degeneracy, and the civilizational threat of Bolshevism. Many of these organizations seek the friendship and support of the great Duce, who has singlehandedly smashed the plutodemocrats and Marxists of Italy, and reversed the terrible shame of the mutilated victory by force of arms.

Il Duce now stands as the great leader of Europe against barbarism. These groups, taking the inspiration of Il Duce, who has taken history into the palm of his hand, seek the support of the PNF to realize their own national destinies in line with the vision of Il Duce, and the UGPF will organize this mission. Fascism rejects the lies of internationalism in favor of a world of nations and struggle, the UGPF serves to defend the interests of Italy, and nothing else.

Marshal Italo Balbo will serve as the titular Secretary for the UGPF, though given his many responsibilities he will appoint a lieutenant of his choosing to govern the day to day operation. The UGPF will cooperate with the Fasci all'Estero (Fascists Abroad), the office responsible for the affairs of Italians abroad.

Il Duce Speech to the Front Soldiers

Il Duce delivered a radio address upon the assumption of hostilities with Serbia declaring the Balkans and the Adriatic to be the rightful dominion of the Italians, denouncing the Serbs as barbarians, and repudiating the Treaty of Paris (1936) as an imposition by the French to deny a total Italian victory. Since then Il Duce has toured many military camps, forts, airbases, and battlements of coastal artillery. Subsequently, after initial breakthroughs, Il Duce travelled by air to Zara, where he was greeted by ecstatic soldiers of the Army of Major General Roatta with salutes and cheers. Il Duce toured army camps in this area, before, under strict security precautions, entering the Independent State of Croatia, to tour camps of the front soldiers "on the line of fighting itself" (though in reality, Il Duce has avoided the actual front entirely, or partisan areas, due to the chemical exposure or risk of assassination). Il Duce spoke to men in one of these camps, with his speech recorded for the radio, before subsequently returning to Italy.  

Soldiers of Italy! You represent the vanguard of superior civilization! I sent you forth, my lions, to rip to pieces the Serbian menace, and you have done as I so ordered. As I speak to you now, our forces have occupied Bosnia, are on the attack in Montenegro, and with the support of our allies, they are rolling back the Serbs on all fronts, with low casualties on our side. The war will be short, swift, and victorious! I expect nothing less from my armies, the successors of the great Roman legions who brought Europe to heel and civilized her from Constantinople to Britannia.

This war has proven the barbarity of our fiendish enemy knows no limit. Our bombing strikes, which have totally crippled the enemy's industry, so much that they are melting down their spades and toasters into bullets, revealed that the enemy has been constructing chemical weapons. With no alternative, we have deployed gases to smash the enemy resistance. The enemy, total criminals and savages, are sending their own children into the fight, as young as 8 or 9. It is a senseless slaughter, but the sooner we are done with it, the better. This is an enemy that knows no love for civilization, or life. Fascism, it is a celebration of the energetic, enthusiastic life, the enemy, they are worshippers of death and killing. Surely, they will be destroyed by our superior forces, who fight for more than their own sadism.

The victory of fascism is the victory of life, of peace, and of the rights of Italy. With our victory will guarantee the Adriatic as a swimming pool for our children and grandchildren, as a reserve for our fisheries, and as a sea for our commerce. We shall permanently destroy the blasphemous Yugoslavian imposition, and we shall secure our future from the threats of monsters.

I ask you, my legions, for one last push. The fighting is fierce, the war is cruel, but we do not come to live forever. Every soldier who dies for Italy is a martyr, and every soldier who lives for Italy is a hero. We shall win, we shall win in the air, we shall win in the sea, and we shall win on the land! We will smash the enemy wherever the are, and with the great legions of the Magyars, Bulgars, and Italians, we shall uphold superior civilization! I have been in the trenches my soldiers, when I fought, I was betrayed by the politicians, by the plutocrats, by the speculators and by the European liberals. But soldiers, the Italian state has been purged of the traitor, of the scoundrel, and I stand with you, your sacrifices for our nation will birth a new future of victory and prosperity!

Long live Italy! Long live fascism! Hail Victory!

[KaiserDave]

For the Defense of Poland: Il Duce Addresses Europe

The speech over the radio is preceded by news from the frontline in Poland, and various propaganda stories demonizing the Red Army. The speech is to be delivered live in Italian, and subsequently delivered in Spanish, English, German, Polish, Hungarian, French, Arabic, Dutch, and Portuguese across the world.

Men and women of Italy. It is your Duce speaking from Rome. I have spent the day reviewing the news from the frontlines of the world. The world is at war. Italy is at war. War swallows up the weak and elevates their strong. History teaches us that the maelstrom of war produces strong men, and dispenses with the weak. Steel is only forged in the flames. War produces strong nations and crushes weak ones. The Italian nation has survived centuries of war, and centuries of foreigners attempting to dominate and destroy us. Mostly recently in the Great War, the foreigners attempted to denigrate our sacrifices by stealing from us our rightful spoils. Doing this they thought they could destroy Italy. Indeed they almost did, if not for Fascism Italy would have dissolved into competing fiefdoms and Marxist guerrillas. But fascism has redeemed us, and we have reconquered what is rightfully ours in Dalmatia, and in Albania. Now we are engaged in war against barbarism to secure our conquests and uphold the truths of our superior civilization. We are at war against the Serbian menace, and against international Bolshevization.

One such other nation which has stood the test of history, and which now stands as the vanguard against Bolshevism is Poland. With the tragic fall of Romania, despite the catastrophic casualties inflicted upon the red enemy, Poland now stands as the frontline against the destruction of Europe. The Polish people, clinging to nationalism and their Holy Catholic faith, are the immediate bulwark between Europe and the forces of destruction. There are those pseudoscientific theorists beyond the Alps who say that Poland is not real, that it is a creation of Transatlantic liberals. This is a lie! This is a slander and those who promote it are scum. Poland is a national that has stood for a millennium. It was civilized by Latins and Catholics, and has stood proudly despite the designs of foreigners for centuries. It is a nation of deep tradition and embraces nationalism without compunction or apologies to liberals. It is the sworn enemy of Marxism, and it stands as a Knight in shining armor against the red horde.

I told you many months ago that Poland defeated the Red Napoleon Tuchashevsky before, and shall do so again, and I was right! The Marshal is dead, killed traitors in his own ranks, by conspiracies and schemers. Now they have a new leader, Lev Kamenev, who is a but a weak puppet for Leon Trotsky, the bloodthirsty scourge of the world. Kamenev is even married to the sister of Trotsky. The entire Bolshevik so called society is an incestuous disaster.

Whoever leads the Bolsheviks, they remained determine to destroy Poland, Hungary, and Italy. For as long as Poland, Hungary, and Italy exist, Europe cannot be Bolshevized. As long as fascism exists, Europe resists Bolshevism. So I tell all the fascists of Europe, all the nationalists, and those who prefer civilization to soulless Marxism, to come to the aide of Poland. Italy has already sent her sons, and the fruits of her industry for the defense of the Polish people. I call upon all those who wish to see Poland live, and Europe remain blessed by the fruits of Latin civilization to go forth to the defense of Poland.

Though Romania fell, it was not without the destruction of the professional soldiery of the Red Army. Now what is left is crude barbarians. They know the crudest and most brutish violence and torture and nothing else. Poland cannot be allowed to fall to such creatures. History dictates that only the strong will survive. This is the hour of destiny for Poland, if she will survive, or if she will be lost forever to internationalist Marxism. But Poland will live!

Italy stands on guard for Europe! For the defense of Poland, Europe shall live! Long live European civilization! Long live Italy, the leader of Europe! Long live Fascism, the guarantor of Italy!

[KaiserDave]

Encyclopedia of the Second Great War (1964 Edition)

International Anti-Communist Groups Sponsored by the Italian Government

As of the beginning of 1940

Freikorps-Schützendivision Ernst Röhm

Leaders: Ernst Röhm, Ernst Kaltenbrunner
Ideology: Anti-communism, Pan-Germanism, Anti-liberalism, Hitlerism, Anti-semitism
Areas of Activity: East Prussia, Danzig, Pomerania, Poland, Silesia
Song: Freikorps marschiert In fremdes Land

Komitet Osvobozhdeniya Narodov Rossii - Russkaia Osvoboditelnaia Armiia

Leaders:  Others, others, Alexei Petrovich Arkhangelsky
Ideology: Anti-communism, Great Russian nationalism, Monarchism (factions), Republicanism (factions), Fascism (factions)
Areas of Activity: East Prussia, Danzig, Pomerania, Poland
Song: We Go on Wide Fields

Legione Internazionale delle Camicie Nere Antibolsceviche

Leaders: Benito Mussolini (Titularly), Renato Ricci, Niccolò Nicchiarelli
Ideology: Italian Fascism, Anti-communism, Anti-liberalism, Revolutionary Nationalism, Clerical Fascism (factions)
Areas of Activity: Romania, Poland, Galicia
Song: All'armi

Orhanizatsiya Ukrayins'kykh Natsionalistiv

Leaders: Yehvan Konovalets, Andriy Melnyk, Stepan Bandera
Ideology: Dontsovian nationalism, Ukrainian irredentism, Anti-Russian sentiment, Revolutionary Nationalism, Fascism (factions), Banderism (factions), National Democracy (factions)
Areas of Activity: Subcarpathian Rus, Galicia, Right-Bank Ukraine, Left-Bank Ukraine
Song: We Were Born in the Great Hour

[KaiserDave]

Treaty of Fiume

A Treaty to finally resolve the contradictions of the Balkans and to bring a final conclusion to the Third Balkan War.

REVISED

The signatories hereby resolve that,

The hostilities of the Third Balkan War are hereby concluded.

Alexander I of the House Karađorđević is singularly responsible for the resumption of hostilities in the Balkans with unwarranted aggression against the Kingdom of Hungary.

His Majesty George of House Karađorđević is to be enthroned as King of Serbia. The League of Rome will provide him with a yearly stipend to keep his court funded.

The Kingdom of Serbia renounces, in perpetuity, all claims to "Greater Serbia" and accepts in perpetuity the borders of the Treaty of Fiume.

The Kingdom of Serbia admits culpability for atrocities committed by the criminal "Regime of the Colonels", including crimes of aggression against their neighbors.

All parties agree to acknowledge the Kingdom of Italy as, by right, Master of the Adriatic, and the League of Rome as the guarantor of the security of the Balkans.

All signatories recognize the Kingdom of Montenegro under Italian protectorate, with Krsto Popović as Prime Minister, and His Majesty King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy as Regent, until an eligible member of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty accepts the throne.

All signatories agree to the new borders laid out as follows, with a demilitarized zone spanning 15-25 kilometers away from Belgrade on the Hungarian side (see map)

x IL DUCE, Benito Mussolini

x HIS MAJESTY, by Grace of God and Will of the Nation, King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III

[KaiserDave]

EIAR Broadcast (Live from Fiume)

LIVE, from Fiume!

In the Kingdom of Italy, for the signing of the Treaty of Fiume to bring Balkan hostilities to an end. It has been a long bloody struggle, with many martyrs, but with the martial prowess of fascism, the League of Rome has prevailed on the field.

Now, the arrival of Il Duce. He steps out his train to acclaim of the Royal Army soldiers and of the Blackshirts! They reach out in salute! Long live Il Duce they cry! Champion of Italy! Victor of the Balkan War! He is received by military band and banners and portraits! Il Duce embraces the hero of Fiume, Gabriele D'Annunzio, Comandante of the Carnaro and hero of the cause of the nation!

Here now arrives the Hungarian party. His Majesty the King, Otto von Habsburg, and the Prime Minister Admiral Horthy. The great survivors of Europe, who have defeated foe after foe and avenged the injustices of Trianon.

The Bulgarians have arrived, Tsar Boris III and his Prime Minister. The Bulgarian Tsar has put the Prussians to shame with his military skill, conquering Macedonia with great speed.

Now the moment all have been waiting for, the meeting of the three Great War Chiefs! Mussolini, Horthy, and Boris Saxe-Coburg! They embrace, shake hands, and pose for onlookers. These three men have reshaped the Balkans! From 1933, they have cooperated from afar, but now they are joined together!

Now the King of Hungary shakes hands with Il Duce, Il Duce greets the Bulgarian Prime Minister. There is great jubilation, for all the sacrifices, and betrayal of the plutodemocracies and Serbian provocateurs, at last there is victory!

Now Poglavnik Pavelic arrives, he shakes hands with Il Duce, who he has known for many years. There is applause, and greetings.

(Reel shows Admiral Horthy speaking, with King Otto solemnly agreeing next to him)

"It is not shameful to admit what had befallen Serbia is a tragedy, but they have only themselves to blame, for has the Serbian people merely forgotten what they had done to the Bosniaks a mere few years ago?"

(Reel now showing the King of Hungary himself)

""We have accomplished in a handful of years what the failed republic and the communist puppet predecessors could only dream of: avenging the blight of Trianon! Under the brotherhood and friendship of Horthy and my leadership, Hungary has taken a bold, new, step forwards in the future. And together, with our Italian and Bulgarian comrades, as bleak as it might look in the face of the Red Menace, our shared destiny shines even brighter!"

(Reel shows Tsar Boris speaking, next to his Prime Minister)

"Our nations, united in brotherhood, have put down the Serb menace for good. Thanks to our brave soldiers, Macedonia is liberated, and Bulgaria has freed herself from the shackles of the false peace of 1919. We stand once more as strong, proud nations, unbowed in the face of chaos and degeneracy. Bulgaria is proud to stand alongside Italy and Hungary in defense of peace and prosperity in the Balkans. "

(Reel now shows Il Duce)

"Our soldiers sacrificed much for Italy, in the trenches are against the savageries of the enemy. But we have won, we have been victorious. In the Great War we bled even more and we were stabbed in the back by politicians, in this war we have realized all the fruits of our victory. Glorious Empire!"

[KaiserDave]

Il Duce's Night Train to Warsaw

Il Duce, Benito Mussolini, reportedly after lengthy and intense discussions within the government and an audience with His Majesty the King himself, has departed the country with Count Ciano and Justice Minister Count Grandi by train for Poland. Departing at 10 in the evening, the Duce's train left Venezia Santa Lucia, cutting across Slovenia, through Hungary, Slovakia, and into Poland, the frontline nation. A few days later, the Duce's train pulled into Warszawa Główna, where he was received by an Honor Guard of the Polish Army. Il Duce was then received by men of the Legione Internazionale delle Camicie Nere Antibolsceviche, who acclaimed their leader with salutes and shouts of "Saluto Al Duce" and "Eia Eia Alalà!" Il Duce was filmed by the newsreel cameras in the station and boarding a car, with the sounds of bombs going off in the distance audible. Due to wartime conditions there was no parade, and Il Duce proceeded to the Presidential Palace without crowds.

At the palace, Il Duce was received by President Adam Koc, and they were filmed shaking hands and embracing. Il Duce spoke to respectable crowd of journalists, soldiers, and government officials at the Presidential Palace, declaring that "Italy swears on her word of honor that Poland will not be lost without the most intense struggle."

Il Duce had private negotiations with President Koc and sat in on military discussions of the Polish war chiefs, and promised both privately and publicly to step up the Italian military commitment for the defense of Poland. "We will expel the Red invader, and we will save Europe from barbarism!" That Sunday, Il Duce attended mass with President Koc, and was photographed receiving Holy Communion. Il Duce then took a night train back to Venice, where the work of government continues.

[KaiserDave]

IL DUCE: ENEMIES OF FASCISM WILL BE CRUSHED

Given in the evening over the Radio to the entire nation and Empire, immediately after SEGRETISSIMO. SALUTO AL DUCE!

Men and Women of Italy. Soldiers and sailors of the Regio Esercito, and of the Regia Aeronautica, and the Regia Marina across the Kingdom and in the overseas territories and dependencies. I, your Duce, come to you live from Rome, heart of Italy, and mother of civilization. This is not the first time I have come to you over the airwaves, invented by the Italian genius, and true fascist Marquise Guglielmo Marconi, nor will it be the last. But today, I bring forward a special message, to bring assurance to loyal Italians and patriots, and to bring terror unto the enemies of the Italian nation.

Since the victory of fascism and the destruction of the plutocratic liberal system, we have won many victories. We have conquered the land, and we have conquered the seas, and we have conquered even the great economic crisis of the world, the so called "Great Depression" which Italy has survived, more prosperous than her neighbors. We have avenged the vittoria mutilata, with our conquest of Dalmatia, and of Albania, and now with the total dominion over the Balkans, our ancestral hinterlands.

We have proved the supremacy of the fascist model, not only with the construction of the fascist state, and of a fascist society, with Italy as the most morally disciplined and revolutionary and prosperous state on the planet, but also for the entire world. We have proved the duplicity of liberalism and the strength that lies in unity, conviction, and the revolutionary articles of fascism. That is why it is those fascist, and fascist inspired states that are showing the greatest strength against those challenges to European civilization, even in faraway South America the fascists are winning.

But we face many challenges on the European and global scale, civilization remains at risk from the most disgusting external and internal enemies. There is war, and chaos, and madmen command armies throughout the world. We must remain intensely vigilant. The enemies of Italy remain as cunning and as duplicitous as ever. In Moscow, Leon Trotsky and his puppets seek to swallow Mother Europa whole. And in Europe there are those statesmen who seek to repeal the Risorgimento and dishonor the august House of Savoy. Within Italy, there are internal enemies, who wish to take advantage of the crisis in Europe, the wars, the disruptions of trade, to enact their agenda of sabotage, espionage, and terrorism. There are also those who erroneously believe that fascism has lost its teeth, that is has become complacent with itself, that it has lost its revolutionary power.

This has manifested itself not only in the hosts of Communist spies and saboteurs in the nation who seek to swing open the door to the Red Army to plunder Rome and Milan for all her treasures, but also to opportunists and elitists, who think that fascism has become tolerant of opposition and believe they have an ability to advance their personal agendas. A class of opportunists and elitists who don't care about the nation, the people, or the House of Savoy, and seek only their own enrichment and benefit. They spit on the flag and the fasces, and they worship themselves. They pursue their own agenda over the interests of the nation, they undermine the unity of the nation when it most needs discipline, they have somehow imagined fascism will tolerate this, it never has and never will.

Let me make things absolutely clear. The Italy of Fascism does not tolerate opposition! It is invincible in both attack and defense, those who attack the Italy of Fascism will be dealt a blow ten-thousand times greater. Those who conspire against our nation, our King, and fascism will be destroyed, and those criticisms that undermine confidence in the monarchy, or in fascism, or the state will be silenced. The Italy of Fascism is one! It is indivisible, and invincible! With the fasces, with Duce, with the Crown of Savoy, Italy is terrifying in power and ever-glorious! Those who take the attack to the nation will be utterly annihilated, those criticisms which seek to disassembles the fasces, and the fascist society, will not be tolerated. Opportunism is a crime against the nation, conspiracy is a crime against the nation, and crimes are punished!

The common folk of Italy, who are led by an uncommon man, Benito Mussolini, are undefeated when united behind their leader. But those who seek to lead the people away from the flag, and the crown, towards falsehoods and treachery will be defeated. But we must be vigilant, Bolshevik armies attack Europe, and their spies conspire within Italy. Opportunists in Italy seek to take advantage of this crisis to grow their own power and mislead the people!

It is for this reason we must declare a State of Siege. Italy and her possessions are under attack! When the city comes under the attack, the first thing that must be done is to arrest all the thieves and to cut their throats! We must be ruthless to enemies, and to those who attempt to oppose fascism, I tell you now, you will be crushed! Without mercy, entirely and utterly! The iron fist of fascism is all-powerful! Perhaps you are already experiencing its might!

I tell the Italian people, wherever you are listening now, in Rome, or Palermo, or Venice, or Turin, or Naples, or in Tirana, or Trieste, your Duce has taken action! Italy will be secured from her enemies, and delivered from those who seek to do her harm, but I ask you, Men and Women of Italy, to stand loyally behind the Flag, behind the King, and behind Fascism! If we do these things, if we are disciplined, and united, if we man the battlements with vigor, we will surely drive out the enemies and crush those who defy the power of Italy.

Men and women of Italy, we have won many victories, and there are many more to come, but we must be vigilant against enemies, and we must not neglect those in our own backyard. Together, we will sanctify Italy first and then together expel ALL the barbarians from Europe.

I ask you to pray with me tonight for the men of the army, of the police, and of the Volunteer Militia. I ask you to pray for the triumph of Catholic religion over Marxist atheism, I ask you to pray for our King, who labors tirelessly and purely for the good of the country, and I ask you to pray for me so that Italy will be victorious. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost guide us in our endeavors. Amen.

Long live Italy! Long live the King! Long live Fascism!

The radio speech is followed by the playing of Giacomo Puccini's "Crisantemi"