Evening star., 1947-05-13
De Casper Resigns
As Italian Premier
Under Socialist Fire. ].
christion Democrats and
Opponents Trade Charges
/ Of Responsibility .
By the Associated Pres.

ROME, May 13.-Premier Al
eide de Gasperi handed his res
ignation today to Provisional
President Enrico de Nicola as
Socialists and Christian Demo-
Gratis charged each other with
responsibility for the collapse of
his coalition government.
A communique from the Christian
Democratic Premier's press Office
said Mr.. de Gasperi was resigning
because of Socialist attacks on him
yesterday. The three-party coali-
ton has been torn with dissension
over Italy's debt problem.
Mr.. de Gasperi's Public Works
Minister, Giuseppe Romita, said
after a 50-minute extraordinary
cabinet meeting that the Prenier's
decision was taken because OF q
Socialist charge he was deliberately
fomenting political crisis.
Assembly to Be Told Tonight.
The Premier, who has presided
over a coalition of Christian Demo-
Gratis, Communists and Socialists for
10 months, was expected to inform
the Constituent Assembly of his ac-
ton in speech tonight.
Mr.. de Gasperi, who became pre-
inier of Italy in October, 1945, twice
before has resigned and twice has
been asked to form a new govern
ment.
He resigned formally when Mr.. de
Nicola was named provisional pres
ident last June. A month later he
announced a coalition cabinet in
which he held, beside the premier
ship, the Ministry of the Interior
and the interim foreign affairs port
folio. This cabinet also was coali-
ton of the Christian Democrats,
Socialists and Communists.
Late in 1916, while Mr.. de Gasperi
was in the United States seeking aid
for Italy, he was the target of heavy
Communist attacks at home, and in
January he resigned in the crisis
which had developed while he was
away. The Italian Socialist Party
broke apart over the question of col
Elaboration with the Communists. He
formed the latest coalition cabinet
February 8.
Aim to Disrupt Cabinet Denied.
Mr.. Romita, a Socialist, told news
men today that during the last ses-
sion of Mr.. de Gasperi's third gov
ernment, the Socialist ministers de-
MED they had attempted to break
up the cabinet.
Mr.. de Gasperi said there was mo
other course for me to take than
to resign after the Socialist COM
munique of last night" which
charged him with provoking the
crisis.
The premier was asked whether
he would favor a government which,
as in France, would exclude the
Communists. Many observers be-
lieve this to be the focal point of
the present crisis.
i am not a prophet" he replied.
MY attempts were not in that di-
lrection.'
Presumably he referred to re-
ports that he; desired a national
union" cabinet representing most OF
Italy's factions, in an effort to stave
/ of economic collapse
Statement Agreed On.
THE Council OF Ministers yester-
day agreed that / should make a
| statement to the Assembly on the
economic situation, during which
would have called for the collabor-
ioration of everyone" Mr.. de Gas
peri declared. 1.-THE Socialist conn
lmunique was worded in such man.
ner that I could not have spoken as
the head Of a government.
Mr.. de Gasperi said Mr.. de Nicola
had reserved decision on the res
ignation This is the usual form In
an Italian political crisis.