Multitude Cheers Duce's War Decree -- The multitude which cheered Premier Benito Mussolini as he announced from the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia in Rome June 10 that Italy had declared war on Britain and France. Other throngs gathered at squares throughout the nation heard the declaration from loud speakers. "We are descending to battle fields against plutocratic reactionary democracies, Duce declared. June 21, 1940. (Photo by Associated Press-Paramount News Photo).