GOVERNMENT CRISIS IN ITALY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000500730015-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 4, 2003
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: November 11, 1998
• Content Type: REPORT

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C.9 N.:~.,?hiL ; NTELUG`.NC.~.d GROUP
'NTELUGENC;E R EP( R.1
COW i 1' rY Italy
i1J> s~' E~: C.l"3;1is -in Ita' y
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Celt '. 2#3 M7 1947
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Premier de Gao er. i wided in the rcdgtiation of h1a Cabinet on 1--eestiay,
rTa;r ].3, short-:c;7' !-efore he was to appear before the lescmbly to ur;;o r< brood..
er_J.nq of the 11;a inn Governmei' t,: This et;n a flea_tlaras tht.t, the
3oeialic?t Part,71 Faxcutiva and Parliamentary group heard a zeport by the
Soei S_a'r; hliniste:rs on their "res3ervatio..is t at t:'ondtip9:~ Cabinet ?reetIng to
the "pnliticaj csrini virtually opened by the Fremier," : who is accused of
19 an attempt to :.shift the political equil b?iLat of the C,overrlmen?h, thus
in creanirlg its inefficiency at a moment whoa the economic and monetary
situation of the count y imposes .the implantation of the program agreed
ulxan,r The statement, conclude, by asserting that the. Ee:octative: and the
P_?:l.ialrentar*;? group entirely agreed with the tcoervatlon3., (Italian Acme
Sel Q ce, May 12, 1.947)
At 12:45 p.m. Tuesdtr (italian time) de G'aapperl told the Cabinet that
after the Socialist statement he can no :tor:g,3r tarry out ttlo n:uldare of
the Cabinet to address the Constituent Asseir_.y and he would rosi17n, thus
eliraa; _Lng meets:;, of negotiations with Can't r and 'a.ght Group: about the
possibili :y of p..lrticipatin!g in a broadened Cabi.nc+t which would re~1rer,sat
a Goti'er..! ant o national unity,. (Rome, ANSA, rlity 12., 191,7)
At the Cabinet meeting at which he a::r-oL'nced his resignation, de Gasesri
is reported also to have referred to an eil .t:,ri i! in Tuesday's edition of the
Socisaiiot organ 1i6.rttca':l to the effect that a broadening of the Gov,or lent, as
de Ga::per.. ttrcdorstood it, "would mean the pa,-?aly:;is of the Governments and
the doom of ti :aa laa:s;e:i't~x?9.extisn,e As a rsstLlt, do Gassper:i felt that "the
interosi; of clarification and the spirit of ca:i.1akoration" would be better
served by the Cal.)hets resignation "Th s npr:ning the way to co:lsultation
of all. the paa?l.iomeentary groups." After Socialist Mixiistorle Romita and
Cacciatore denied that the-1.r Party was responsible for the cria is, do Gaspori
cited the article in Tuesday's Communist paper, U iITA, which said that the
Pra'amieaT?' a scheduled statement to the Assembly would be "personal, and not
in hiss capacity as Premier.." (Rome, ANSA, ltct'' L3r 1%'+'7)
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In a statement to the journalists CacclaLore declared that de Gas-)ori
':attn. ted to throw respons Lbility foi, the crisis on our Party," a re
sponsibility that the Socialists would, not accept, since they had already
voiced their reservations to broadening this Government when de Gasacri
first broa shed the subject in his last broadcast. Co ntaunia t %'inister
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 inter-rie.ved by corre-
spondents after handing in the Cabinet's resi.;nation, de Gasperi contended
that the Cabinet had arthirized him to support in a speech before the
General fissembly a report by Campilli and Morandi "of a general nature,
analyzing the country's economic situation and ap:)eal1n- "for a .vide basis
-,pith the collaboration of those forces which I deemed necessary to cvercome
the serious but not insurmountable situations. There were reservata.,. ,ns,
but not of a character to affect my mandate?"
When asked whether Italy would follow France's example and exclude
the Communists, de Gasperi said that "ho had no forecasts to make but
this had not been his intention.." (Rome, ANSA, May 13, 1947)
The thinking of' the left Socialist leader Nenni (a minority of the
Socialists under the leadership o' Cara;at is anti-Communist-Ed.) is
indicated by an interview he granted to a correspondent of the fovigno
G:LZZi.'TII:O DEL L,VORO. Penni 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 scone, I?:enni does not believe that
war between the United States and the .oviet Union is possible and he com-
pares the present disagreer.:ent ,vith the differences between -ngland and
France that arose after the first 7orld 7'ar. But he adds: '":hould
this conflict materialize, we Socialists would: gay that it ought not to
interest us. The blood of Italian youth cu:-ht not to be shod. on the
battle fields. Though:, our, culture and habits are of a western character,
our sympathies go out to the mast, and not only to Russia but also to
Poland and the other states of the East." (Rome, ANSA, :Fray 12, 1 47)
The Yugoslav Ile-as Agency quotes Nonni as saying in a speech at Milan
that "it should be clear to every progressive person in America; that the.
Italians cannot ?ay for bread and coal with national and political slavery."
Speaking on domestic affairs, :Ienni stressed that the "speedy and firm
carrying out of the land reform and the nationalization of large industrial
enterprises" are necessary and Would be the main points in the Socialist
election platform in the October elections. (Belgrade, TANYUG, .`ay 13, 1 47)
Afte-_-the Governments resignation, the Socialist Parliamentary group,
with Nenni in the chair, decided to issue a public statement?ahich declared
that the crisis "was started by Premier 'de Gasperi with his broadcast of
April 28 which as based on a complete lack of confidence in the foundation
on which the third de Gasperi Government had been set up in As majority and
its program." The Socialists claim that their attitude was made known to
de Gasperi in good time and he -.as called upon to implement the Governrnent's
program and "impose discipline on everybody, especially the privileged classes
whose desertion before the sacrifices necessary fnr the country's reconstruc-
tion was one of the main causes or the present chaos." In forming a now
Goverment the Socialists call for the respect of the "democratic will of
the peoplo, as expressed on Juno 2. (.'To'rte, '.lay 13, 11~-47)
The Communist. Parli.a-,ent.ary grou) in its public state rent accuses
de Gc.s?eri of hel;p.n:; "to increase political urcortointy and confusion by
opening a Government crisis in a nonconstitutional and politically
dangerous and inconvenient manner." The statement adds that "whatever the
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breadth which the people can or want to give to a ne.v Government
the
,
latter should correspond to the democratic structure of the Government
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 "G;,vernment of national unity" that "I
myself and Orlando and 1itti--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-
sponsibilities ?whi?'h it had to shoulder before the Constitixmti' Assembly"
and the "real situation in the country should be publicly known before
other parties assume Governmental responsibilities."
A 10-point statement by the Republican Party's Executive declares
that the present economic situation can only be overcome by a Govornmer..'
"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 .mould be able to overcome "the Game
of the vested!, interests, small and great egoisms, and any Party, class,
or group maneuvers." (Italian Home Service, ':,ay 1), 194+7)
De Gasperi. winds up the events of ::.ay 13 :rith a speech over the
Italian network in which he avoids all mention of the Govern:;ent'j
resignation and confines liimacl C to a descri; t:.on of Italy's economic
situation which he says he would have given to the Constituent ?. nsse?::bly
"had the rules', allowed." De Gasperi reveals that the 1547-] 4B Italian
budget estimates show a deficit of 312 billion lire which could be
covered by the internal credit m.ar-ket, provided that there were confidence
in Italy's economic revival, which "timorous people a;.d speculators are
trying to undermine." Italy thus far has been able "to keep above water"
de Gasperi says, thanks to UrURRA aid, the United States repayment of
occupation costs, and the international food fund, but the end of Italy's
"assisted economy" is ap;)roaching and the country can obtain loans and
investment from abroad only if she had a reconstruction plan which gives
"security to foreign investors."
Do Gasperi concludes -with an appeal for Italian unity and urges
the promotion of emigration and tourism, and reorganization of the
Italian merchant fleet. (Italian Home Service, ;,fay 13 1547)
Signor hiiti has been continuing his consultations with Italian
political leaders throughout. -Monday J.-lay 19) and it is expected that
he mill soon belable to announce the makeup of his Cabinet and its
program, says the Italian radio, Prefect de Martino told correspondents,
after an interview with IJitti, that the latter would form a government
"at any cost." Togliatti, after his meeting, declared that he and I+itti
had held detailed discussions on the political composition of the gov-
ernment and its'pro ram, and the Communist Party set no donditions ,vith
1.2 regard to the government's composition. (Rome, :t1SA, May 1S, 1547)
Venni made a full statement after cal.'_ing 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 7,onths," and voiced no objec-
tions to elections in the autumn. Itenni added that the new government
presumably would consist of the present three-party coalition, plus "the
so-called little, alliance." (Rorie, Italian :Home 3ervicc, :.:ay 1S?, 1c47)
Vito Realo, upon leaving r:itti's house, said that "::itti is determined
to form a govorn;aent and no underground nan-:euver will succeed in nullifying
his efforts in the country's interests." (Homo, ..:ay 1S, 1547)
The Italian, Communist Party has made public the text of a telegram
by Togliatti to Sumner 'i7elles' reply to charges about receiving money "from
a foreign po.vor." 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
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avidonoe of this etatoront. If not, all honest nen throughout -!o world
triUi have the right to consider you a liar and a slanderer." (Ronk`,
AITSA, I icy 19, 1947)
After trensrsittinrg rather ontinisttc reports on :.onday (Illy 19) regarding
ITitti's progress in consulting with political leaders, the Italian radio
on Iit 20 indicated that he was running into difficulty, reporting that
the nadorato Socialists and the Republicans would not Join a Nitti
Govei ent, and on lledneedoy (flay 21) it announced that ITitti had given
his efforts to forri a Cabinet.
In its statanent of Fay 20, the Republican Party parliamentary group
deeliarecd that it could not support ITitti's efforts because his Govern-
nent!s indicated structure "would sac?stantilly reproduce the inadequacy
and inefficiency of the former croup." (pone, AITSA, (Say 20, 1947)
The PSLI eucousod itself on the pi ounds that there were not "suffs oiont
guar~ntees" of irsple:lentinr- a abroad proLmmn, and ITitti' a program "runs
counter to any Socialist principle" because it would "largely affect
the rorkirg classes."
The Aetion Party conditioned its adherence ?to a ITitti Government on the
creation of a govern::aental econo-mie agency to carry out the agreed pro--
grama (Italian Hone Service, I:ay 20, 1947)
The Corriuniet attitude was revealed by Togliatti in an interview with an
APISAI correspondent. Togliatti declared that when ITitti was named "the
Corsctunists supported him loyally," although "certain groups of the
producer categories" oec-:od to favor Hitti. Togliatti explained that it
was his party' a principle to collaborate frith producer groups "which
intesade to act dewsooratieally and pay attention to the wor?:ers' needs."
The Cormunist lender went on to say that The Co--fic'onco, could in-
spire in the country was "a positive elegy :ant and the Cony nuniots would
i be the last to destroy or reject it," rnd he favored. a rapid solution
of the crisis and opposed "delaying; rianouvers" which he said would not
be understood by the country. (Italian (tone 3)orvice, "ay 20, 19/7)
Efforts to learn why riitti had given up his mission were unsuccessful,
the radio reports say. Ho told queotiorera that "I-,o could not te1:o up
a eositroversial attitude at such a moment or speak about thinrs which
night delay the solution of the crisis." (Italian Horn, Service, N v7 21, 1947)
Orlando was received by President tie fieola I: r ec'iately r to ITitti' c
visit and later he began his consultations with party cpol:e:nen. Aftor
?eeiiig the loaders of the big parties in the late afternoon Wednesday
(Moy 21) , he received the opol:eo".:on of the three "center loft" groups
in the evening - the SPLI, Aotionints, and Labor Dc::oclnts. They
explrined to Orlando that their reason for opposing 'Titti taas based on
-Ida-and that the government's econor.y policy he carried out by a
"'2iors6geneou6 group" in or0er to avoid the situr.t!.on in the past when
"Frashing ideologies had. paralyze' the I+overnment' a action." (Italian
Hone Service, :ay 21, 19/4.7)
A stiter._ent by the Executive Cornittee of the Christian Dernoeratie Party
declares that in Italy's present economic condition the steps taken to
ensure "spoa'y, direct, U. S. econor-ic aid might give so' ?e results,"
but "the impression mist be created at hone and abroad that there is a
party truce." Accordingly, the stataaont reaffirms the party' a otrr_
self...denial in agreeing to the for"r._tion of agover.,r..?nt by so'- one
other than a Christian Daeocrat." (Italian Hone Servico, Illy 21, 1947)
On l y 22 ! T A reported that; "1ihon Orlrncio left ITiV,i at 7:40 p.m.
he told an ANSA correspondent that negotiations wore continuing and that
he wsta on his way to the head of the State who would nake the decision.
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"Iieanwhile, Vito foalo tole? journc.J.icts that Ilitti, invited by Orin
to collaborate with hi::, would have been delighted to accept but this
beoane i*ipossible when it was evident that thin collaboration uould
have been in conjunction with the 'Little Entente', Ile could no nore
accept this as one of Orlando's ILinistora than he could as Pr vier.
"Orlando I -,ft do Ilicola at #3;20' P.M. and made the following statement
to Journalists: 'The diffi.rulties which prevented the formation of
a Ilitti Goveril::ent frith my collaboration assured frog the beginning
have ended with the stone consequences for the forrtatlon 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 nanesllitti-Orlando
which night have becono Orlando-llitti. He went on to say that 'The
difficulties had virtually prejudiced the oolution..' Asked whether
the head of the Sato would resuno consultations he believed that he
would. To questions about the source of the dificulties he said that
it was useless to look for causes. The difficulties wore objective.
Ile thought that another cycl,o t could open preced eritby fresh consultations.
He and Ilitti had virtually een consulted.
"There will not be further talks with Orlan:3.o, I7itti, and De Gasperi
as the head of the State has sounded then sufficiently. Ile will
receive fononi, Pa-rri, Sforza, Sara .gat, and the presidents of the
parliarlontary groups in nui::erical not alphabetical order; ntn::oly,
Gronchi, Togliatti, Manzi, n'Aragona, Giannini, Facohinetti, Corbino,
Berganini, Cianca, Grassi, and hole.
"At Palazzo Giustiniani it is believed tlwt Do Nicola will complete
his talks by 4:30 p.n. tonorrou devoting half an hour to each through-
out the day and that a new mandate to form the Government trill 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.' Ached 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 consultation3 tomorrow,
receiving Terracini at 9 a,n."
On :'onday, itoy 26, the Italian home Service reported:
"On the thirteenth day of the Govern_2ent crisis it nay be point >d out that
the consultations no far held by de (anperi have the nature of prclinina,y
soundings only with a view to finding out the intentions of all political
groups. Thorn are only scanty hints as to the attitude of those groups.
The PSLI, according to d'Aragona, sticks to the requests put forward during
the previous consultations. According to Facchinetti'and Pacciarcli the
Republican Party, too, would join a do Ga,aperi Cabinet only under certain
conditions. The probable participation of liberal nembers in a de Gasperi
Government was mentioned by Villsbr.una while the Communists, according
to Berganmini, 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
giie their full support to do Gasperi."
This document contains information
affecting the national defense of
the United States within the meaning
of the Espionage Act, 50, U.S.C. 31
and 32 as amended. Its trans:tiasion
or the revelation of its contents in
any manner to an unauthorized person
in prohibited by law.
CONFIDENTIAL
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