Evening star., 1944-04-12
King Victor
Continued From First Page.)

Italian contribution to victory is and
shall ever be more great. The day
shall come when our deep wounds
will be healed and we shall take once
more our place as a free people
among free nations.
Putting into effect what I have
suggested to Allied authorities and
to my government, I have decided
to withdraw from public affairs by
appointing my son, the Prince of
Piedmont, lieutenant general of the
realm.
This appointment will become
'ef1ective by formal transfer of
power on the day on which Allied
troops enter Rome.
This decision would, I firmly
believe, further national unity. It
is final and irrevocable.
The Kings action had been fore
shadowed just a week ago by Um-
oerto, who from the beginning
opposed the Fascism of Mussolini
and never regarded it as a per-
manent thing.
The King is old and ready to
retire." Umberto told the Associated
Press last week. He has had a
full life" The Prince then con-
f1rmed reports that the King would
turn over his powers to his son as
his lieutenant.
Pays Final Price.
In declaring he would step down
from the throne, Victor Emmanuel
paid the final price for his sur
render FL years ago to Mussolini.
His action ended his last struggle
first, to hold the throne for him
self, then to salvage the House of
Savoy by abdicating in favor of his
7-year-old grandson and namesake.
the Prince of Naples, Umberto's son.
While the Kings action today
made no immediate change in the
situation since it becomes effective
only on Allied occupation of Rome
and that date depends on the for
tunes of war-it nevertheless opened
the way for the constitution of
government on broader basis, with
the participation of the various
Italian political parties.
Badoglio's cabinet now is expected
to resign to permit him to appoint
new one in which Communists,
Socialists, Christian Democrats and
perhaps representatives of other
parties may be offered ministerial
posts.
Subordinate Posts for Reds.
Palmiro Toghatti Communist
leader who has pressed for forma-
t1on of united war cabinet since
his return from exile in Moscow,
said yesterday that Communists
would willingly take subordinate
posts in such government or even
support it without being given di-
Irect representation.
TogllattlS statement indicated the
Communists would not attempt to
gain the key post of minister of in
terror or that of minister of ma
| tlonal defense, which Badoglio NAV
assume for himself while remaining
premier.
Senator Enrico de Nicola, in his
negotiations with the King, served
as intermediary for Benedetto
Croce, dominant figure in the Lib
eral party, and Count Carlo Sforza,
independent.
Friends of these two leaders indi-
Gated that while they would have
preferred the Kings immediate re-
tirement they would accept his an
nouncement to step down in the fu-
ture as a sufficient pledge.
CrOce Mentioned.
Croce has been mentioned for the
post of vice premier and it was re-
garded possible that Sforza might be
offered the position of foreign min
lister which Badoglio now holds.
Sforza implied in statement that
he felt Badoglio also should resign.
The Kings decision must have
been painful to him." he declared
That is why Italy will be grateful
to him for his last act as King.
When I urged him to retire, l only
spoke of the future of our country
and of the supreme necessity to
create a new Italy capable of
serious war effort. I had no idea of
hatred.
1T should be desirable now that
others IN high positions equally re-
sponsible for the errors of Fascism
should follow the Kings example"
he added. only a clean. purified
Italy will be able to do her part in
the wE Of liberation Of Europe"