DANGER OF CIVIL WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26177, 13 June 1946, Page 5

DANGER OF CIVIL WAR

Italian Feelings Inflamed FIGHTING IN NAPLES STREETS Monarchist Crowds and Police (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 12. Huge street fires were burning in the centre of Naples early this morning as monarchist crowds, from behind barricades of tramcars, fought gun battles with armoured cars and police, says the Daily Express correspondent in Naples. A report from Rome says the Cabinet at a midnight meetting failed to break the deadlock between Left-wing politicians and King Umberto. The Left-wingers demand the immediate proclamation of a republic and the King insists on remaining until the Supreme Court has finally ruled on the validity of the referendum. When the meeting broke up at 2 a.m. the Vice-premier, Signor Nenni, said if a solution was not reached to-day he would demand the summcjning of the newly-elected constituent Assembly on June 15 (the Assembly is not due to meet until June 24). The Minister of Commerce, Signor Gronchi, supporting Signor Nenni’s demand, said: “We need Parliament’s decision to avoid civil war.” King Umberto is reported to have told Signor de Gasperi that he would not put obstacles in the way of his country’s pacification, but he reserved the right to hear advisers and jurists’ opinions. A commission, including all parties except Liberals, appealed to Signor de Gasperi to end the uncertain situation, which was “ dangerous to the country.”