KING OF ITALY

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 January 1944, Page 6

KING OF ITALY

ABDICATION- EXPECTED

LONDON, January 19. A strong hint that King Victor Emmanuel will abdicate when the Allies enter Rome was given to-day from an official, quarter. Signor Vito Reale, Acting-Minister of the Interior, told Reuter’s Bari correspondent: “I am confident that King Victor will have the wisdom, when the necessary conditions arise, to make a gesture which Italy expects. The proper, setting for this gesture is Rome. The act. must be performed with the help of all the • national parties.” . : . r GERMANS SEIZE TREASURES LONDON, January 18. The Berne correspondent of the British United Press says: “According to a report from Turin, the House of Savoy treasures seized by the Germans included 370 cases of jewels, gold bullion, and the golden crown with a band of iron, the- band of which is traditionally reputed to have been made with nails from Christ’s Cross.

The “Daily Mail’s” Geneva correspondent says: The Germans discovered the hiding place of the House of Savoy’s treasures, including King Victor Emmanuel’s priceless numismatic collection, containing most of the Italian coins minted since the foundation of Rome. The correspondent quotes a Turin newspaper for his statement, adding: The collection was unearthed in cellars at the Royal Palace of Pollenzo, near Cuneo. Tt tilled 400 cases, and it has been handed to the Fascist Government.