Mussolini’s Diplomatic Conquest

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 2nd Year

Issue

Issue No.

3

Date Released

Feb 1936

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1Football Pools
2. 2Unemployment - America’s big political issue
3. 3Mussolini’s Diplomatic Conquest

Story

Story No. within this Issue

3 / 3

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: Few tourists today visit the capital of Albania, smallest of the Balkan kingdoms. Fewer still see Europe’s only self-made sovereign. Zog the First, whose closest friend today is the dictator whose domains lie only 40 miles across the Adriatic - Benito Mussolini. For 20 years Zog kept his rugged little country free and independent by matching wits sharply with his powerful neighbours. But less than a year ago he was persuaded to ignore League of Nations’ sanctions and sell war supplies to Italy at high prices. But as important to the king as the peace of Europe was the task of finding husbands for his five unmarried sisters. Defiantly he matched one with the son of Turkey’s deposed Sultan, Abdul the Damned, while Yugoslavia and Greece stormed as he staged Europe’s only 1936 royal wedding. But the Italian envoy attended, bringing a welcome cash present. Scarcely had the bride departed when Zog concluded a bargain and for £4,000,000 sold Albania, in all but name, to Mussolini. Italian gold now finances new buildings; the harbour at Durazzo is dredged deep enough to float Italian warships. Broad military highways lead to neighbouring frontiers. From a secret fort on Saseno Island, Italian guns rake the Adriatic. Should the Balkans flame into war today, Mussolini need only bottle up the Adriatic, send his legions by sea to Albania and in six hours be hammering at the Greek and Yugoslav frontiers. And, as crack Italian officers take over Albania’s army, the world realises that, while Mussolini’s right hand was grabbing Ethiopia, his left snatched the finest colonial prize left in Europe.

Researcher Comments

This story was included in Vol.2 No.8 of the US edition.

Keywords

Occupied territories

Written sources

The March of Time Promotional Material   Lobby Card, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Production Co.

Time Inc.