GOVERNMENT CRISIS IN ITALY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04864A000100020009-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 1, 1999
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: May 28, 1947
• Content Type: IR

Approved For Release 1999/0941pirsikligg78-04864A000100020009-9
COUrITRY
St'ilPECT
MIKA
25X1A6a
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE GROUP
INTELLIGENCE REPORT
Government Crisis In Italy
25X1A6a
omuNnoN OFSOURCE
fc
uentar
0
[14
COMPLETELY
USUALLY
FAIRLY
NOT USUALLY
NOT
CANNOT BE
REUABLT.
ELIASLE

-------
RELIABLE
RELIABLE
-
REUABLE
JUDGED
DISTRIaUTION
25X1A2g
79655
DANE
WO. May 12 to date
DIST. 28 May 1947
PAGES 5
SUPPLEMENT
emluAnom OF CONTENT Documenta
1
2
J4
POSSIBLY
TRUE
5
ti ---1
COPIFI R M F.0
OTHER SOUR.
PliOBABLY
TRUE
DOUBTFUL
PROBABLY
FALSE
CANNOT BE
4UDGE 0
[ SiXATE
X
X
X
-----4
_1_11.
WAR NAVY
JUVICE
R &E
C&D
ALF
SCURE Within CIG
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
Premier de Gasperi handed in the resignation of his Cabinet on Tuesday,
May 13; shortly before he was to appear before the Assembly to urge a broad-
ening of the Italian Government. This step was necessary, de Gasperi said,
because of the statement issued by the Socialists on May 12 expressing
reservations to the policy he outlined to the Italian Cabinet earlier in the
day.
The Socialist statement, as reported by. Radio Rome; declares that the
Socialist Party Executive and Parliamentary group heard a report by the
Socialist Ministers on their "reservations" at Monday's Cabinet meeting to
the "political crisis virtually opened by the Premier," who is accused of
"an attempt to ohift the political equilibrium of the qovernment, thus
increasing its inefficiency at a moment when the economic and monetary
situation of the country imposes the implementation of the program agreed
upon." The statement concludes bv assertine thot Weneeltive and the
amentary grow entirely agreed with the reservation..l (Italian Home
ervlce, ray 1 17)47)
At 12:45 p.m. Tuesday (Italian time) de Gasperi told the Cabinet that
after the Socialist statement "he can no longer carry out the mandate of
the Cabinet to address the Constituent Assemble and he would resign, thus
climaxing weeks of negotiations with Center and Right Groups about the
possibility of participatingbroadened Cabinet which woled rAprAvent
a Government or ationa1 unity..- (Rome ANSA, May 12, 1947)
CPYRGHT
At.the Cabinet meeting at which he announced his resignation, de Gasperi
is reported also to have referred to an editorial in Tuesday's edition of the
Socialist organ AVANTI to the effect that a broadening of the Government, as
de Gasper/ understood it, "would mean the paralysis of the Government, and
the doom of oarliamentarianism" An a result, do Gasperi felt that "the
interest of clarification and the spirit of col/aboration" would be better
served by the Cabinet's resignation "Thus opening the way to consultation
of all the parliamentary groups." After Socialist Ministers Romita and
Cacciatore denied that their Party was responsible for the crisis, de Gasperi
cited the article in Tuesday's Communist paper, UNITA, which said that the
Premier's scheduled etAtAment to the Ammemhly smulA h flpatmpJ -"id rot
in his capacity as Premier." (Rime, ANSA; May 13; 1947)
4101111010,Wir'
CLASVFICATION
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-04864A000100020009-9
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
1:PYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
Approved For Release 1999/09/6t)19185F-61P78-04864A000100020009-9
- 2
CPYRGHT
7%55
In a statement to the journalists Cacciatore declared that de Gasperi
9attempted to throw responsibility for the crisis on our Party," a re-
sponsibility that the Socialists would not acceet, since they had already
voiced their reservations to broadening this Government then de Gaseeri
first broached: the subject in his last broadcast. Communist Minister
Serumi tells the press that the Communist members of the Cabinet have
informed the Premier that "on principle they thought that de Gasperi
could still make his report to the Assembly." When interviesed by corre-
spondents after handing in the Cabinet's resienation, de Gasperi contended
that the Cabinet had authorized him to support in a speech before the
General issembly a report by Campilli and Morandi "of a general nature,
analyzing the country's economic situationind appealing "for a wide basis
with the collaboration of those forces which I ,deemed necessary to overcome
the serious but not insurmountable situations. There were reservations,
but not of a character to affect my mandate."
When asked whether Italy would follow France's example and exclude
the Communists. de Gasper/ said that "he had no forecasts to make but
this had not been his intention."1 (Rome, ANSA, May 13, 1947)
The thinking of the left Socialist leader Nenni (a minority of the
Socialists under the leadership o Saragat is anti-Communist-Ed.) is
indicated by an interview he granted to a correspondent of the Rovigno
GAZZETIE0 DEL LAVORO. Nenni charges that the crisis is "an attempt of
the right to postpone the solution of many problems," and he says that
"the elections already arranged for October ought to take place."
Turning to the international scene, Nonni does not believe that
war between the United States and the Soviet Union Is possible and he com-
pares the present disagreement sith the differences between ngland and
France that arose after the first 7.orld 7ar. But he adds: 'Mould
this conflict materialize, we Socialists would say that it ought not to
interest us. The blood of Italian youth ought not to be shod on the
battle fields. Theuebh out culture and habits are of a western character,
nrly to Russia but also to
Poland and the other states of the East." I (Rome, ANSA, :fay 12, 1947)
The Yugoslav News Agency quotes Nenni as saying in a speech at Milan
that "it should be clear to every progressive eerson in American that the
Italians cannot pay for bread and coal sith national and political slavery."
Saeaking on domestic affairs, Nenni stressed that the "speedy and firm
carrying out of the land reform and the nationalization of large industrial
an+aere;aaau eaeamssey saliA welnla hp thq main points in the Sucialist
election platform in the October elections (Belgrade, TANYUG, May 13, 1(;47)
After the Guvernuent real6nuilun, Llm 0ld1iat rarlimTcntary aroup,
with Nenni in the chair, decided to issue a public statement which declared
that the crisis "was started by Premier de Gasperi with his broadcast of
April 28 shich was based on a complete lack of confidence in the foundation
on which the third de Gasper/ Government had been set up in its majority and
its program." The Socialists claim that their attitude was made known to _-
de Gasperi in good time and he was called upon to implement the Government's
orogram and "impose discipline on everybody, especially the privileged class?
whose desertion before the sacrifices necessary for the country's reconstruc-
tion was one of the main causes or the present chaos." In forming a new
raeaeeeae+ +ha ,naialinta on ll for the: respect of the "democratic will of
the people, as expressed on Juno 2. (Rome, 7lay 13, 1947)
Tne nommunast Parliamentary :ruu) in /La ?Lui.t aCcuSCS
de Gasperi of helpina, "to increase political uncertainty and confusion by
opening a Government crisis in a nonconstitutional and politically
dangerous and inconvenient manner." The statement adds that "whatever the
COITIDTLITIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-04864A000100020009-9
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-04864A000100020009-9
- 3 -
.CPYRGHT 79655
breadth which the people can or want to give to a new Government, the
latter should correspond to the democratic structure of the Oevernment
expressed by the electoral consultations from June 2 onward."
Former Premier Bonomi in a statement to journalists said of the
possibility of his joining a "Gevernment of National unity" that "I
myself and Orlando and Vitti--who are as independent as I--might join
it." Meanwhile, non-Government parties are also expressing their
opinions. The parliamentary group of the PSLI--the Saragat Socialists--
declares that the Cabinet's resignation is "a threat before the
re-
sponsibil which it had to shoulder before the Constituisti Assembly"
and the "real situation in the country should be publicly known before
other parties assume Governmental responsibliities."
A 10.6point statement by the Republican Party's Executive declares
that the present economic situation can only be overcome by a Government
"able to gain the confidence and respect of public opinion" and which
would include in it elements of "political leadership and technical
experience." Such a Government would be able to overcome "the game
of the vested interests, small and great egoisms, and any Party, class,
(Italian Home Service) !1ay 33, 1947)
or group maneuvers."
De Gasperi winds up the events of May 13 with a speech over the
Italian network in which he avoids all mention of the Government's
resignation and confines himself to a description of Italy's economic
situation which he says he would have -given to the Conatituent Assembly
"had the rules allowed." De Gasperi reveals that the lc:47-19.48 Iteian
budget estimates show a deficit of 312 billion lire which could be
covered by the internal credit market, provided that there were confidence
In Italy's economic revival, which "timorous people and speculators are
trying to undermine." Italy thus far has been able to keep above water"
de Gasseri says, thanks to UNRRA aid, the United States repayment of
occupation costs, and the international food fund, but the end of Italy's
"assisted economy? is approaching and the country can obtain loans and
Investment from abroad only if she had a reconstruction plan ahich gives
"security to foreign investors."
De Gasperi concludes with an appeal for Italian unity and urges
1
the promotion of emiera ion and tourism, and reorganization of the
Italian merchant fleet. (Italian Home Service, May 13, 1947)
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
Signor Nitti has been continuing his consultations with Italian
political leaders throughout !gonday (May 19) and it is expected that
he mill soon be able to announce the makeup of his Cabinet and its
program, says the Italian radio, Prefect de Martino tad eorrespondents,
after an interview with Nitti, that the latter would form a government
"at any cost." Togliatti, after his meeting, declared that he and Nitti
had held detailed discussions on the political composition of the goy-
Party set no_donditions with
I regardtotherevernment'scomeosition.1 (Rome, ANSA, May 19, 1947)
Nenni made a full statement after calling'on Nitti in which he declared
that Nitti indicated that the new Cabinet's economic program "will be
confined to the requirements of the next few months," and .voiced no objec-
tions to elections in the autumn. Nonni added that the nea government
presumably would consist of the present three-party coalition, plus "the
(Rome, Italian Home Service, :.:ay 1, 1c,47)
so-called little alliance."
Vito Reale, upon leavinz Littils house, udid that ..1111 lb LILecialuet,
to form a povernment and no underground maneuver will succeed in nunifying
II
his efforts in the country's interests.1
(Rome, ANSA, ;ay 19,
The Italian Communist Party has made public the text of a telegram
by Togliatti to Sumner Welles' reply to charges about receiving money "from
a foreign power." The statement says that the U. S. conquered Fascist
Italy. This does not give any U. S. politician the right to insult Italians,
whatever their opinions... It is now up to you to give immediate and public
COUFIDEDTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-04864A000100020009-9
4..
Approved For Release 1999/09/61lk-ROP78-04864A000100020009-9
?4-.
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT L t
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
79655
all emeerk
ithrnwrytnir.
h
will have the right, to consider you a liar and a slanderer." (Hong,
ANSA, May 190 1947)
After transmitting rather optimistic reports on Monday (May 19) regarding
Hittite progress in consulting with political leaders, the Italian radio
on May 20 indicated that he was running into difficulty, reporting that
the madtrate Socialists and the Republicans mould not join *a Nitti
Goverment, and on Wednesday (May 21) it announced that Hitti had given
up his efforts to form a Cabinet.
In its statement of May20? the RepUblican Party parliamentary croup
declared that it could not support Nitti's efforts because his govern-
n. . MY ?
and inofficiency of the former group." (Romeo ANSA, May 20, 1947)
he Pao' excused itself on the grounas that there were not nsurilcient
guarantees" of implementing a abroad program, and Nitti's program "runs
mounter to any Socialist principle" because it would "largely affect
the working olassos."
rho Action Party conditioned its adherence to a Nitti Government on the
n of a covornnontal economic agency to carrv out the agreed pro-
Italian Home Service, rgr 20, 1947)
The Communist attitude was revealed by Togliatti in an interview with an
ANSA correspondent. Togliatti declared that when Nitti was named "the
Communists supported him loyally," although "certain groups of the
producer categories" seemed to favor Nitti. Togliatti explained that it
was his party's principle to collaborate with producer groups "which
intended to act denocratioally and pay attention to the morhers' needs."
The Communist leader went on to eay that the eolfidence 7it1-i could in-
spire in the country was "a positive element and the Communists would
be the last to destroy or reject it," and he favored a rapid solution
nf thA nrini nryi appinee nricanyine? nenouvern" which he saisLwould not
lbe understood by the countrv.I (Italian Home Service, 1ay 20, 1947)
Efforts to learn why Nitti had given up his mission wore unsuccessfUll
the radio reports say. He told questioners that "ht could not take up
?
4'1
.4 CO
P4 1 4,4
miaht delay the solution of the crisis.
(Italian Hone Service, l!ay 21, 1947)
CPYRGHT ntras---
ning ideologies had paralyzed the rovermientls notion. "I (Italian
Home Service, l'ay 21, 1947)
Orlando was received by President de rieola iTneiately rftcr rittile.
visit and later he began his consultations with party 0pol:omen. After
seeing the leaders of the big parties in the late afternoon Wednesday
(May 21), he received the (makes-len of the throe "center left" groups
in the evening -- the SPLI, Actioniets, and Labor Dmoerats. They
explained to Orlando that their reason- for opposing Nitti was based on
the denand that the gavermentte econorw policy be carried out by a
trtirirtorteNnevoi rpvienirtt n MVO Per t.r rtrn1r f.hta nithrtinn in tho p?t when
CPYRGHT
CPYRGHT
CPyRGHT
A statement by the Executive Committee of the Christian Democratic Party
declares that in Italy's present economic condition the steps taken to
ensure "speedy, direct, U. S. economic aid might give ao't results,"
but "the impression must be created at home and abroad that there is a
party truce." Accordingly, the statment reaffirms the party's own
ialafC121121""
- ' 4"rtion "ve-p govemlront by pe-eons
Ir?fotherthanaahran*at." (Italian Ilene Service, May 210- 1947) ?
CPYRGHT
On l''ny 22 AIM ? reported that:
4 is n
414
e was on his way to the head of the State who mould make the decision.
COTIFIDEILTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-04864A000100020009-9
CONFIDEITIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : OJA-RDP78-04864A00010002000pi9
CPYRGHT /V655
?
CPYRGHT
"Meanwhile, Vito Reale told journalists that Nitti, invited by Orlando
to collaborate with him, would have been delighted to accept but this
became imoosibleaken it was evident that this collaboration would
have been in conjunction with the 'Little Entente'. He could no more
accept this as one of Orlando's Ministera than he could as Premier.
"Orlando left de Nicola at 8;20 P.M. and made the following statement
to journalists: 'The difficulties which prevented the formation of
a Nitti Government with my collaboration assured from the beginning
have ended with the same consequences for the formation of a possible ?
Orlando Government."
"Orlando went on to say that a cycle had ended. It had begun with an
idea for solution of the crisis founded on the names NMI-Orlando
which night have become Orlando-Nitti. He went on to say that 'The
difficulties had virtually prejudiced the solution.' Asked whether
the head of the State would resume consultations he believed that he
mould. To questions about the source of the difficulties he said that
it was useless to look for causes. The difficulties were objective.
lie thought that another cycle would open precedentby fresh consultations.
He and Nitti had virtually l_elen consulted.
"There will not be ftrther talks with Orlando, NMI, and De Gapperi
as the head of the State has sounded them sufficiently. He will
receive Donomi, Parri, Sforza? Saraaat, and the presidents of the
parliaMentary groups in numerical not alphabetical order; namely,
Gronehi? Togliatti, Nenni, D'Aragona, Giannini, Facchinetti, Corbino,
Berganini, Glance, Grassi, and Mole.
"At Palazzo Giustiniani it is believed that De Nicola will complete
his talks by 4:30 p.n. tomorrow devoting half an hour to each through-
out the day and that a new mandate to form the Government will be
given tomorrow.
"Asked whether he thought a Government of national coalition possible,
Orlando said: 'I think it is impossible. It was dead before it was
born.' Asked what solution he thought possible he said he thought
that a widening of the tripartite basis would be the solution.
"De Nicola will begin his second cycle of consultations tomorrow,
receiving Terracini at 9
On :-onday, May 26, the Italian None Service reported:
"On the thirteenth day of the Government crisis it may be pointed out that
the consultations so far held by de rasperi have the nature of prelininay
soundings only with a view to finding out the intentions of all political
groups. There are only scanty hintp as to the attitude of these groups.
The PSLI? according to anragonal sticks to the requests 'opt forward during
the previous consultations. According to Facchinetti'and Pacciardi the
Republican Party, too, mould join a de Gasper/ Cabinet only under certain
conditions. The probable participation of liberal members in a de Gasperi
Government was mentioned by Villsbruna while the Communists, according
to Dergammlni, Chairman of the joint group, are in favor of a broadening
of the government toward the left center with the inclusion of the Liberals,
but not their right wing. The Labor Democrats, according to Mole, will
alas their Dill support to de Gasperi."
document contains information
affe the national defense of
the Unit too within the meaning
of the Espio 50, U.S.C. 31
and 32 as amended. transmission
or the revelation of its ents in
any manner to an unauthorized on
is prohibited by law.
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/01 : CIA-RDP78-04864A000100020009-9