THREAT UNFULFILLED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1810, 2 December 1919, Page 7

THREAT UNFULFILLED.

SOCIALISTS QUIET. ITALIAN PARLIAMENT OPENS. NO HOSTILE DEMONSTRATION. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. Australian and N.'/j. Cable Association. (Rec. Dec. 2, 9.0) ROME, Dec. 1. The Italian Parliament opened without a hostile demonstration. I The augmented strength of the Italian Socialist Party ami especially of the extreme clement in the party, as a result of the recent elections, led to the expectation that an effort would he made at the opening of Parliament to insult, or even to harm, the King. The Socialists, who had hitherto absented themselves from the opening of Parliament, declared their intention of attending on this occasion and of making an anti-monarchical demonstration. An earlier message stated: —The "Daily Chronicle" says that there are imminent rumours of the abdication of the King of Italy. Such rumours have often been current since the Capoietto disaster in November, 1917. It is true that his popularity is not greater than before the War, despite his democratic tendencies, and his surrender of Crown lands and palaces, but there are no signs of the" imminent overturning of the monarchy. The King has often said that he is willing to abdicate if it will promote the people's well-being. Signor Nitti is a strong and courageous statesman, and likely-to weather the storm, but there is no real danger of Bolshevism.]