ITALIAN REPUBLIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26176, 12 June 1946, Page 5

ITALIAN REPUBLIC

NO PROCLAMATION YET UMBERTO STILL IN COUNTRY COURT’S RULING AWAITED (Rec. 8 p.m.) ROME, June 11. After announcing the referendum figures the judges said rulings would be given later on petitions alleging voting irregularities. The figures from 50 voting districts which were still missing would be incorporated in the final totals, but these could not upset the result. Umberto’s aide, General Adolfo Infante, said Umberto might leave Rome to “ relieve the tension,” but would not leave the country until a definite announcement had been made by the supreme Court. The Prime Minister, Signor de Gasperi, apparently taken aback by the court’s indefinite announcement, told reporters, “Of course, a republic has been proclaimed,” saying 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.” 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 says that 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 Umberto’s powers. Newspaper reports suggested a compromise between the King and the Government by which, pending the final session of the Supreme Court. Signor de Gasperi would function as civil lieutenant-general nominated by Umberto, who, it is believed, is asking for strict observance of the electoral law, which sets a term of 14 days after tl>e election for examination. Trade unions proclaimed . to-day a general holiday “ for celebrating the republic.” The monarchist paper. Giornale Della Sera, says Umberto insists on waiting for the Supreme Court’s final report before recognising cessation of , his reign. _ ' One person was killed and 13 injured, some of them seriously, in a street battle in Naples when monarchists attempted to set fire to the Communist headquarters. A thousand monarchists, after breaking a police cordon, stormed the 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.