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Unsigned handwritten manuscript in Italian by Benito Mussolini, three pages, 9 x 11, being his draft of a piece published in the Italian newspaper 'Il Popolo d'Italia' on September 6, 1922. Headed "The Accame Again," the manuscript reads, in full (translated): "Is it possible to find out something definite regarding what happened between the Fascist crew of the S/S 'Accame' and the heads of the English Trades Unions? Our question is fully justified by the events. Two days ago all the daily papers, more or less 'rublified' of the Italian Bolshevism, announced in pompous and ironic terms that the Fascist crew of the S/S 'Accame' had capitulated, had yielded—ingloriously—in the face of an ultimatum of the English Trades Unionists. The terms of the surrender were exactly as follows:
1: To abstain from any reprisal against the workers of Italy, and not to lower the prestige of the Italian Syndicate Movement.
2: To pardon every act of violence against the organized members of the Syndicates and the Syndicalists functionaries in their activities.
3: To take no part in the destruction of offices and of Syndicates.
4: To take no part in any destructive attempt whatsoever, or of violence against places harboring syndicalist publications and against proletarian newspapers.
It is useless to add that all the above mentioned papers of the Red riff-raff showed maudlin joy in their printed comments. Finally, a revenge, even though it be far off! Because the Fascio in London had not thought it necessary to send us some information, though doubting the truth of the surrender, though finding the clauses of the surrender somewhat strange, we saw ourselves obliged to keep silent, awaiting the rest. And the rest came yesterday with an article in the Avanti, in which, even from the title, is explained how the English organizations have been deceived.
'The representatives of the English organizations,' says the Avanti, 'have made the following declaration: 'We have seen all the staff of the Emanuele Accame and are convinced that there has been a mistake, and are satisfied with the proofs of good faith of the organized that the sailors have given, who have declared that they intend to maintain the principles of the organized of their countries.' The signatures of Williams, Clatworthy, and Rooney follow.'
If things are like this, it is strange that the General Confederation of Labor has not informed the English organization first, and if it is not true that the staff is organized and faithful to the principles of the Italian organisation, it is strange that a representative has not been sent to Cardiff, so that the representatives of the English be not allowed to be deceived with promises that will never be kept.
The hymns of glory of the Social-Prussist press end now in a lament of impotent rage. What the Avanti says in its comment that the crew of the Accame be not in the prescribed number, is false, extremely false that the hours were longer and the pay less than those of other crews federated by Giulietti. In short, the blow has piteously failed. When the English went on board the Accame, instead of finding pirates, and found authentic sailors, real workers, they were convinced that the boycott planned would have been a vile and barbarous gesture. They gave up the idea and they have done well. Ever so ridiculous, they are the tardy uproar of the Social-Pussists. Now, the steam-ship has, unloaded, will reload, and will peacefully go back to Italy. The three trade unionists who have signed the declaration we have reproduced above, have done more good for the Italo-English friendship than all the rhetorical speeches of Lloyd George" In fine condition.
Drafted just weeks before Mussolini’s March on Rome and the collapse of Italy’s liberal government, this manuscript captures the Fascist leader at a pivotal moment in his rise to power in 1922. Written for Il Popolo d’Italia—the newspaper Mussolini founded and used as the chief propaganda organ of the Fascist movement—the piece reflects his effort to portray Fascism not as a lawless militia movement, but as a disciplined nationalist force defending Italian workers and prestige against socialism and foreign interference.
The controversy surrounding the steamship Emanuele Accame emerged amid escalating clashes between Fascists and organized labor, with British trade unionists threatening action against a Fascist-aligned Italian crew. Mussolini seizes on the incident to attack the press, ridicule labor organizations, and frame the ultimate British decision not to boycott the ship as an international vindication of Fascism. The manuscript is especially revealing for its aggressive rhetoric and political messaging, illustrating how Mussolini used journalism as a weapon in consolidating support during the volatile final months before he became Prime Minister of Italy.
From the personal collection of a lifelong collector, teacher, and traveler with a passion for world history. His collecting years ranged from the 1970s to the present day, meaning that several of the premier pieces have not been on the market in decades.
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