ITALIAN VOTE ON KING

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24899, 12 June 1946, Page 7

ITALIAN VOTE ON KING

Republic Not Yet Proclaimed

SUPREME COURT’S ANNOUNCEMENT

(N-Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 8 p’.m.) ROME, June 10. The Italian Supreme Court, contrary to expectations did not proclaim Italy a republic to-day. It confined its announcement to (he final referendum figures, which were given as: For a Republic .. 12,672,767 For the Monarchy .. 10,688,905 After announcing the referendum figures, the Supreme Court Judges said that rulings would be given later on petitions alleging voting irregularities. In addition, figures from 50 voting districts were still missing and would be incorporated in the final totals, but these could not upset the results. King Umberto’s aide (General Adolfo Infante) said that King Umberto might leave Rome “to relieve the tension,” but he would not leave the country until a definite announcement was made by the Supreme Court The Prime Minister (Signor de Gasperi), apparently taken aback by the Court’s indefinite announcement, told reporters: “Of course the Republic has been proclaimed.” He added that if the Court felt authorised to announce figures showing a majority for a Republic, “we take that to mean that the Court is satisfied that further adjustments cannot materially modify the result.*’

“No Reason to Quit Italy” Signor de Gasperi added that it was for the King to choose when he would leave the country. On personal grounds there was no reason why he should quit Italy at all. It was not the Government’s business to tell him to go. He had behaved extremely loyally. The Italian News Agency said that King Umberto, after receiving the result of the referendum from Signor de Gasperi, thanked him, saying that he would reserve his further decision. The agency added that a Cabinet session late last night discussed the transference of King Umberto’s powers. Newspaper reports havs suggested a compromise between the King and the Government which, pending a final session of the Supreme Court, Signor de Gasperi would function as a civil Lieutenant-General nominated by King Umberto, who is believed to be asking for strict observance of the electoral law which sets a term of 14 days after an election for examination of the results. The trade unions have proclaimed to-day a general holiday “for celebrat-: ing the Republic.” The Monarchist newspaper “Giomale della Sera” says that King Umberto insists on waiting for the Supreme Court’s final report before recognising the cessation of his reign. One person was killed and 13 were injured, some seriously, in a street battle in Naples when Monarchists attempted to fire on the Communist headquarters. A thousand Monarchists, after breaking a police cordon, stormed the Naples City Hall last night and hoisted the Royal flag over the building. They then went on, intending to attack the Republican newspaper “La Voce,” but the police headed them off and finally dispersed them.