The Roman occupation of Venedig was headed by Gabriele D'anunzio, one of Nuova Roma's new generation of generals. 50,000 Roman troops marched into the besieged city in late 1921, and the remaining 37,000 were present for D'anunzio's address to the Venezian people on the fourth day of January, 1922. In this address, D'anunzio told the mostly Novosel population:

"It is the extraordinary burden of Great Men to shape history with their words and deeds. I have clawed my way into the annals of time and become one of these exalted heroes. Henceforth, Gabriele D'anunzio, meek general of the Roman Legion, is no more. Gabriele D'anunzio, the Duke, the Ruler of Venezia, is born today."

As the population of Venedig was mostly of Novosel extraction, a translator was forced to transcribe the speech, and hand out pamphlets announcing the new microstate throughout the remainder of the week.