A major clash took place between the demonstrators and the police. It became a full scale battle and Mussolini ordered the army in to support the police. The Generals were unsure that this was the right move and turned to the King to over ride the order. Mussolini ordered the Black shirts in as they were an armed Fascist Militia.. The King had thrown a lifeline to the Generals by ordering a stand down. He met with the Military leadership and prepared to replace the government with a military one.