Evening star., 1947-01-06
A ...THE EVENING STAR, Washington b G.
Italian Premier S Aide
AsksU. IS. Help in Plea
To Regain Stolen Gold
sy the Asseeiated Press

BY the Asseeioted Press
italy will press the United States
to support her demand that 70 tons
of gold taken by the Germans from
the Bank of Italy and recovered by
the Allies be returned to her.
Donate Meilichella. the banks d.
rector who accompanied Premier
Alcide de Gasperi here, said he would
make the request during confer
ences &ith American officials this
week.
The ingots, comprising the major
part, of Italy's gold reserve, were
taken from the banks vaults few
days after italy surrendered to the
Allies in 1943. Vincenzo Azzolini,
former governor Of the bank, was
sentenced to 20 years Imprisonment
for leading the Nazis to the secret
hiding place of the treasure. He
recently was granted amnesty.
Decision Recalled.
Mr.. Menichella said an Allied COM
mission set up in 1945 at Paris de-
cided that all the gold found in
German possession would be ap-
portioned to nations robbed by the
Nazis, but deferred action on adj
mitting Austria and italy to the
pool.
I'VE trust that owing to our
difficult monetary situation we will
get all our gold back instead of just
q proportion" Mr.. Menichella said.
The financier challenged peace
treaty clause requiring italy to re-
turn any gold she took from other
nations, asserting 1t was "disputable
she ever seized any by force"
Meanwhile, Premier de Gasperi
continued series Of calls on ofii-
cials here to discuss a $100, ,000, 900
American loan to italy and prospects
that he would succeed in getting the
money appeared brighter.
Opposition May BE Relaxed.
Thoroughly informed authorities
reported the Export-Import Bank is
about to relax its long-standing op-
position to the italian credit. COIN
cident with Mr.. de Gasperi's visit to
the capital.
For the last year, Export-Import
Bank policy makers were reported
to have refused to approve the Ital-
ian request despite State Depart
ment pleas.
However, Italy recently revised its
application to provide more specific
ally for the use of the loan funds by
industries manufacturing goods for
export. Hence bank officials are said
to feel now, that the Italians will be
able to repay the credit with foreign
exchange earned by these exports.
Although Italy has estimated it
will need about $500, 900 900 in out
side help during 1947, American off,
cials say $100,000,000 is the maxi
mum the United States will be able
to lend. The Export-Import Bank
ha sless than $500,000,000 left in
its till.
Mr.. de Gasperi told reporter on
his arrival yesterday that the main
purpose of his five-day visit is to
get an American loan and more food
for his countrymen.
The National Advisory Council,
intra government agency which
must approve all foreign loans. has
scheduled a meeting for tomorrow
and may act on the italian request.
Officials considered it unlikely, how
ever, that the council could COM
plete its consideration during MI.
De Gasperis stay. -.. =
Due-te See Truman. -
The Premier is expected to confer
with President Truman within the
next few days after talks with Sec
retary of State Byrnes and Secretary
of Agriculture Anderson today.
The Italian leader officially began
his visit with a brief tour of the.
capitals landmarks. s. U.s. ~gs
With full military honors he laid
q wreath at the tomb of the Ameri-
can Unknown Soldier In Arlington
Cemetery this morning. A 19-gun
salute from three light cannon
greeted the Premier as he drove into
the cemetery.
The group, Whlch lncludeQ MI. Qe
Gasperi's daughter, Mari Romano,
and Italian Ambassador Alberto
Tarchiani, paused at the memorial
as a military band played the Italian
martial hymn, "Piave," and the
American national anthem.
Brig. Gen. G. B. Fernebaugh,
commander of the Washington Mill
tary District, was in command at the
ceremony.
Visits Byrnes.
After the rites Mr.. de Gasperi left
for the State Department for noon
conversation with Secretary Byrnes.
Later he was to 60 to the diplomatic
gallery of Congress to hear President
Truman's address to a joint session
Yesterday Mr.. de Gasperi visited
Mount Vernon and the Lincoln
Memorial.
Mr.. De Gasperi and his party
reached the city after a 41-hour
trip during which his plane turned
back once because of high head
wind. The C-54 was almost forced
to turn back seond time during
the flight from Azores to Bermuda.