ITALIAN FLEET

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24904, 18 June 1946, Page 5

ITALIAN FLEET

Scuttling Attempt

Feared

“FINAL FLING BY

MONARCHISTS” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 16. Warning has reached the Foreign Ministers that in certain circumstances the Italians may attempt to scuttle what remains of their fleet, rather than allow it to be handed over for division among the Allies. Special instructions have been issued to the British and American commanders in Italy. Were the .ships scuttled, there might be awkward repercussions, particularly in Moscow, for Russia is very interested in the disposal of the Italian warships. The plot was discovered some days ago, but it is not yet possible to decide how serious was the intention behind it. It is thought that it might be the final fling, following King Umberto’s departure, of the Monarchists, who feel that their dignity is being unnecessarily hurt by the peace treaty discussions at Paris, and that they are being asked to pay too heavy a price for their unhappy and in some cas'es unwilling part in. the war. Therefore they would like to make a gesture like the Scapa Flow scuttling. The Paris 'correspondent of the “Daily Express” says that as the warships are under the direct control of their Italian officers and crews, it might be difficult to enforce preventive measures. He says that the report may have caused Mr Molotov’s demand yesterday for a discussion by the Foreign Ministers of the Italian internal situation. *

Garibaldi’s flag of the 1849 Roman Republic has been hoisted over the Capitol, according to the Rome radio. It was so olfl and battle-torn that it was pinned on a board and carried up the steps of the Capitol by two Garibaldini wearing the red shirts of Garibaldi’s veterans, while a large crowd watched and listened to the strains of Garibaldi’s Anthem.

The flag last flew over the ’ Capitol from February 9, 1849, to July 3, 1849, until the French troops managed to break Garibaldi’s desperate resistance.