Evening star., 1943-11-16
Interim Regime in Italy

Va SOAAAIStAls AOlCCS lldS OcNclOpCu
on the political front. General
Badoglio, head of the provisional
government working with the Allies,
has Just evolved an arrangement
which, though admittedly temporary,
Is probably the best that could now
be devised. 1t does not attempt to
solve the political problem. Indeed,
1t perpetuates the current deadlock
between political forces. But 1t in
sures the continued existence of a
regime which can function harmon
iously with the Allies In the common
task, Of ejecting the Germans from
Italy, which is, of course. the vital
prerequisite to any kind Of stable
reconstruction for that harassed
country.
Italy's political deadlock arises
from the refusal Of virtually all ar
ticulate groups, fused into a National
Committee Of Liberation, to enter
any government until King Victor
Emmanuel abdicates. They con-
slider both the King and the Crown
Prince Umberto hopelessly tainted
with Fascism; 50 they demand that
both eliminate themselves in favor Of
the Kings grandson. the six-year-
old Prince Of Naples, who would, OF
course, be complete ngurehead
under a regency which, in turn,
would be under the control OF a
democratic parliament. But the
King stubbornly refuses to comply
and has done everything possible to
rally popular sentiment in Southern
Italy, the zone of Allied military
occupation. In this maneuver he
seems to have had a certain measure
Of success, the south being proven
bially the most royalist part OF Italy.
Marshal Badoglio's monarchist atti-
tude is expressed by his statement
that "at the age of seventeen swore
loyalty to the King, and I will con-
tinue to keep faith as long as live"
This need not necessarily mean per-
sonal devotion to Victor Emmanuel.
AS matter Of fact, the oath referred
to was taken during the reign Of
King Umberto, Victor Emmanuels
father. Therefore, Badoglio's state
ment may be interpreted as devo-
ton to the monarchial principle and
loyalty to the House Of Savoy. That
attitude is widespread in conserva-
tive circles throughout Italy, and
probably accounts for the fact that
traditionally antimonarchial groups
such as the Socialists and Commu-
nists have agreed with their less
radical associates on the fusion"
Committee of Liberation that the
House Of Savoy may survive under
the form Of regency for the boy
Prince Of Naples, elevated to the
throne.
AS already pointed out, Badoglio
has adjourned the larger settlement
by establishing frankly stop-gap
regime Of technical experts who can
function with the Allies and con-
tinue their services under whatever
permanent government may ulti-
mately be established. When the
Allied armies reach Rome, the capi-
tai, Badoglio says he will offer his
resignation. That would bring the
basic issue to the fore, because the
King would have to find a govern
ment representing the chief political
parties, and these have announced
they would not take Office under
Victor Emmanuel. Meanwhile, how
ever, these parties have acquiesced
in Badoglio's interim arrangement,
which likewise seems to have the
approval Of the Allied high COM
mand and the Inter ALLIED Commits
sion supervising Italy's economic and
political reconstruction.
In all this it should be remembered
that the Allies as yet occupy only
the poorest and remotest part of
Italy. The capital and the great in
dustrial centers Of the north are
alike under German control, and
there a Fascist Republican" regime
is being built up, nominally headed
by Mussolini. Badoglio made a log
ical point when he argued in his
public statement that I'VE should
await the liberation of Italy as a
whole so that the Italian people as
a whole, not a mere fraction there
of," could determine their political
future.