Italy's New Start
The treaties of peace with Italy and the four minor German satellites are nearing completion at the same slow pace as they were prepared and constructed. There have been no dramatic moments— only a slow, grinding process in which each stage merges into the next. The present stage is the last. The signatures of the American, Russian and British Foreign Ministers are already on the documents and the remaining formal stage is a ceremony to be .held in Paris on Monday. But there is still just room for drama. Much depends on whether Italy and Yugoslavia at the last minute agree to swallow their dislike for the treaty. So far as Italy is concerned the omens are not entirely unfavourable. Last Saturday Signor de Gasperi formed a new coalition Government of Christian Democrats and Communists, which has already mapped out a safe path for itself at home. It has adopted a programme which is confined to the economic problems of price control, rationing, unemployment and taxation reform, whose urgency is apparent to all. The critical appointment of Foreign Minister has gone to Count Sforza and all eyes will be on him in the next few days. He has stood firmly for a Republican regime in Italy, a fact which denied him office in i944, but will tend to enhance his popularity now that Italy has declared against monarchy. He has stood equally firmly for reasonable and peaceful relations between Italy and her neighbours, a fact which will bring him a deep-rooted and fundamental popular support. Yet it will still take great courage to sign the treaty next Monday. Whatever the long-term opinion in Italy may be, the immediate reaction will be one of disgust and depression. If Count Sforza can weather that storm he will have set the seal on his own career. And if the present Italian Government can weather it, the chances of an era of reconstruction and growing self-respect are good.
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