The Washington herald., 1922-02-13
Too Many Blocs.

ITALY is in peculiar political situation The
i Bonomi government was forced to resign part
ly because it displayed what was regarded by the
autichurch elements in Parliament as too great
sympathy upon the death of Pope Benedict Yet
Inc clements which brought about the overthrow of
Bonomi themselves unable to muster a majority
to support any ministry thus far suggested. The
Socialists, having the largest representation refuse
ta join with any other factions in forming gov
eS1rnent The Popular party. which is the Catholic
party, with members, naturally will not join
with those who so recently overthrew Bonom The
King, after consultation with number of leaders,
including former Premiers Salandra, Orlando and
Giolltti, asked Signor de Nicola to form cabinet.
Sienor dc Nicola has been president Of the cham
ber- He made an attempt to unite factions which
would support a government of his creation but
unsuccessful. Upon his failure, the King in
vited former Premier Orlando to undertake the
task 1t is reported that Sgnor Orlando has
found it impossible to form ministry which will
have majority. 1t is considered likely that
general election will be held in the hope that the
Parliament which would result from it would con-
tain majority of members, of various parties and
factions, who would be near enough together in
sentiment to agree upon a cabinet and support it.
= This situation in Italy seems strange to Ameri-
In the first place, we are accustomed to the
two-party system. We have always number of
Tsnor parties but they of relatively little ac-
cpynt far electing members of Congress is
concerned. One the other of our two great
parties dominates the political situation. In Italy,
in other continental countries, it is quite custom
ary that coalition of parties must be formed in
order to obtain organization powerful enough to
dominate. In the second place, the American Presi-
dent and his Cabinet do not resign If the party to
which they belong loses control of Congress. They
out the terms for which they elected even
il they greatly at outs with the majority in
Congress. In Europe, premiers are not elected by
a vote Of the people. They do not serve for any
stated period. When they longer command a
majority in Parliament they resign.
80 The European system, of course, makes it i'm
possible for a premier and his cabinet ever to be
out of harmony with the parliamentary body, for
any longer than the time required to indicate that
harmony doesn't exist. The premier always has a
majority supporting him. or, better. the majority
always has premier with which it is suited 1t
gets new premier and new cabinet quickly
the old dspesse. This system, OF course in
majority rule. 1t is more flexible than the
American system. 1t avoids conflicts between the
executive branch and the majority of the legislative
bfanch. Under this system. continuity in govern
>taent is obtained by having figure not affected by
cabinet changes-a King President.
There is good deal to be said for the Euro
pean system when it is at its best. 1t is more
readily responsive the will of people. But clear
ly it is seen at its best when there are not too
-tnany parties. In Britain before the war, the
==zJstem in most favored light, and today
in Britain the system makes for smooth running
government, the executive being always, necessarily,
in harmony with the majority in Parliament But
Britain has not been troubled with a multiplicity of
parties making necessary transtory and fragile
eqplbinations in order to get majority. In Italy,
hcrc many political factions that those of
the same general point of view form blocs before
elections in order not to compete against friendly
or similar factions and to unite their strength
against real enemies. After elections new combi-
nations, perhaps with these real enemies, have to be
formed in order to get working majority in Par
Lament sufficient to uphold ministry. One might
call these blocs of blocs!
Italy is not alone in her troubles. In Poland
there have been sixteen parties with representation
in Parliament with few parties in addition, not
strong enough to return a single member So
many factions have made it impossible for Poland
to maintain a continuous consistent, constructive
policy.