IQ2	THE   RISE    OF   ITALIAN   FASCISM
why Bologna was occupied for five days by tens of thousands
of fascists from every province of Emilia, who refused to
leave the town until Mori was dismissed. The government
did not yield Immediately, and Mussolini ordered demobi-
lization, fearing an incident which might force the govern-
ment to interfere and also the possibility of public opinion
turning hostile. But soon afterwards Mori was removed to
Bari in Apulia, where the fascists prepared another hostile
demonstration, announcing that they did not want e this
gift'.
The great gatherings in Ferrara and Bologna, the first to
involve tens of thousands of fascists, were important in other
ways. They sustained the fighting spirit of the fascists, which
had little outlet locally : e The fascists need to be inspired,'
explains Signor Balbo, c their fighting spirit must be kept
at a high pitch. This is the responsibility of their leader.
There will be trouble if they are left to themselves.5 In
addition, such manoeuvres were invaluable training for
operations on a larger scale.
e As far as immediate objectives were concerned,'
wrote Balbo, who had directed the entire expedition,
fi the Bologna affair was not of great importance. But it
has demonstrated the mobility of the squads. They have
left their homes and fought for political objectives quite
outside the scope of their purely rural mentality. They
have obeyed unknown leaders, have formed a flying
column, have stood on the defensive for several days
without complaint, have slept on straw and lived off tinned
food. This means that the Bologna episode, which I
regard as a sort of grand manoeuvre of the fascists of
Emilia, can be repeated on a larger scale in a revolt
against the established powers. A dress rehearsal for
revolution. If the manoeuvre calls for the rapid transport
of battalions from the north to the centre,1 we can be
certain that the squads will march, disciplined and
enthusiastic, under any conditions. We must begin our
work again, recruit more units. During the five days of
the Bologna action 60,000 fascists were mobilized.'
1 Rome.