FORGO POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24868, 14 April 1944, Page 3

FORGO POWER

KING OF ITALY REINS FOR SON WHEN ROME REACHED INTERESTS OF UNITY LONDON, April 12 King Victor Emmanuel of Italy has announced his decision to hand over power to Crown Prince Umberto on the day the Allies enter Home. In a broadcast to the Italian people from Naples, the King said: "I have decided to withdraw from public affairs by appointing my son

Lieutenant-General of the Realm. This decision, which I believe furthers national unity, is final and irrevocable."

After saying that the Italian people knew that he had always been on their side in difficult as well as happy times. King Victor added: "The Italian people know that, eight months ago, I put an end to the Fascist Regime and brought Italy, notwithstanding every danger and risk, to the side of the United Nations in the struggle for liberation against Nazism.' Eliminating Obstacles The Italian Government spokesman in Naples said King Victor's declaration was a spontaneous announcement. He added: "The King decided to make his statement at this time in order to eliminate any obstacle to the effort,s of the various parties to reach full co-operation with the Italian Government."

! Tiiere is no suggestion that King Ni< tor is abdicating. It appears tluit the i office of Lieutcnant-General of the Realm is equivalent to a Regency, it is understood that tho Liberals and Communists are satisfied with this as a temporary compromise. The Times correspondent in Naples says that tiie King on .Monday received at his residence Mr. Harold MacMillan. British .Minister at Allied hend<|!iartci> I in Italy, Sir Noel Charles, British mem her of the Advisory Council" for Itah | .Mr Robert Murphy. United States rep ] rescntative on the Council, and Genera ) Sir Mason MacKarlane, chief of tin [Allied Commission in Italy. "Entirely Italian Afiair" It is understood the King took tin opportunity to discuss his decision am j t.o ask the British and America) ; representatives whether the Allies ha< [ all >' objection, lie was told "No." How i ever, both Mr. MacMillan and Mr Murphy, at, a press conference to-da\ emphasised that this development wa> cnlirely an Italian affair and represented an approximation of the viewpoint" of the King and the democratic partic which the Allied Powers regarded with optimism and approval. Mr Murphy, when asked about tin King's motive in delaying his retirement until Rome was reached, suggested thai the King remembered that he had left Rome hurriedly in the small hours with out consulting anybody, and he felt Ik should reappear in Rome as a reigning Ring in the interests of monarchical dignity. also that his immediate retireinenr might he deemed by some as desertion. Future Government Renter's Naples correspondent, says that Allied spokesmen are hopeful that the party leaders will accept the King's decision as a sufficiently important concession to justify their entering the Government under Marsha! HjidotrJict. It is hoped in Allied tjunrters, says the British official wireless, that the new development may lead to some form of coalition Government which would be likely to provide the best instrument for the prosecution of the war. However, there is no indication that a new Government will be formed at present. (