Word: duce
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...best-informed man in the world on the world's biggest problem-World War II. By special train, airplane and steamer he had covered 14,000 miles; he had conferred with two Kings-George VI of Britain, Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy; one Führer; one Duce; two Prime Ministers-Chamberlain, Daladier (and Reynaud, successor to Daladier); with the Foreign Ministers and officialdom of all four countries, opposition party spokesmen of the Allies; with Pope Pius...
...tired to his Villa Torlonia home one evening some years ago, Benito Mussolini decided on the spur of the moment to go into a cinema. He entered and took a seat, unrecognized. Presently, his own limber face flashed on the screen. Everyone present stood up and applauded, except Il Duce. His secret enjoyment of the demonstration was interrupted by a man behind him who leaned over and whispered: "Better stand up and clap, pal. They'll arrest...
This incident, which is supposed to have happened early in the days of Il Duce's power, might easily have taken place again last week. Once more the Dictator was alone and tired. Italians still salaamed to his face on screens, his name on walls, but there were certain new mental reservations in their reverence. Foreign journalists in Rome received anonymous letters: "The Italians desire the end of the dictatorship which renders impossible prosperity and peace. Viva Italia! Viva la libert...
Each morning last week, in his monstrous office, Il Duce's heart was not cheered by the reports on the country's state of mind given him by Chief of Italian Police Arturo Bocchini. Italy's Himmler-an efficient, honest, courageous, unpublicized bustler who hangs a sign over his desk which says: "Please make it snappy"-daily reported the findings of his intricate wiretapping, eavesdropping machine, and the sum of the findings was not to Il Duce's taste: Italians want peace...
...made no martial speech, but said only: "You wanted peace. I have brought you peace," then turned gloomily and went indoors. Next came the German-Russian Pact, which he was not told about until the last minute and which at one slap put down any extravagant hopes Il Duce may have reposed in his partnership with Adolf Hitler. Worst of all was what happened last autumn...