865.00/4–748: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State
1563. There is unanimity in accumulating reports from varied sources including our consular posts throughout Italy that government oriented parties are gaining ground and an adverse trend is setting in against the Front. Optimism verging on over-confidence has been encountered in government circles as Front vote recedes in most recent estimates. This ebb tide of Popular Democratic Front (PDF) generally is attributed to increased popular realization of importance of US aid program, Czechoslovakia and Trieste issues, positive acts of US toward repelling Communist danger in Europe, Secretary Marshall’s clarification re no aid to a Communist Italy and action of British Labor Party in favoring Italian Socialist Unity group over Nenni Socialists (PSI). On sobering side there was electoral flurry that might have become serious over congressional attempts to include Spain in ERP while more significant is growing violence as electoral campaign drives toward its climax.
Tactically observers feel Front efforts are bogging down because they were put into high gear too soon. At present government parties are matching them stride for stride and proving superior in pattern of their meetings and in color and content of poster and leaflet flood. At PDF meetings attendance is falling off and reception less enthusiastic in locales where only weeks ago its adherents had given unmistakable signs of fervor. There also is marked and increased activity of Christian Democrat, Independent Socialist and other non-Communist parties and Catholic action proselyting among voters even in normally Communist strongholds. Gloves are now off in government discussion of Communist menace to Italy while it is sensed Front charges of Vatican financial scandals and church interference in election are wearing thin upon electorate. Communist propaganda portraying PDF as standing for peace and US as warmonger does have [Page 869] some public effect. However, Socialist Unity coalition is drawing strength in industrial areas by presenting itself as “third force” alternative to preserve peace.
Great influence which US policy toward Russia has in calculations of Italian voter can be seen in typical press reaction to events in Berlin and Defense Secretary Forrestal’s draft proposals to Congress. (See mytel 1511, April 3)1 Assistant Secretary Thorp’s statement upon post-election aid to Italy (remytel 1461, April 2)2 served to keep this issue fresh in public mind. Surge of letters and packages mainly to southern Italy from America definitely is harming Front vote prospects to extent that loud protests have been made (see mytel 1449, April l).3 However, Italian sensitivity to US moves was strikingly demonstrated in Communist field day and chill among moderate parties occurring when Spain provisionally was named by House of Representatives vote as eligible for ERP. (See mytel 1451, April l).3 Italian Government and moderate left heaved sigh of relief when final congressional action changed this. Expeditious American approval of ERP bill also contributed to Italian Government and public feeling of well-being that US was implementing its principles by acts.
Very helpful toward democratic cause has been reaction in workers’ circles to realization Nenni Socialists are outside main stream western European socialism as reported in my last weekly analysis (mytel 1414, March 31).3 In north, as Socialist Unity elements operate with blessing of British Labour Party, this is having beneficial effect most noticeable in Milan area where indications are Front will not obtain majority. Possibilities of eventual PSI schism and growing recognition of inevitable General Labor Federation (CGIL) split after election (remytels 1481 and 1483,4 April 2) add to Front difficulties.
Treaty revision talk received its stimulus from western powers Trieste démarche. Since that time there have been reports various parts of treaty deemed undesirable by Italians will be amended. Two events, Italo-French agreement upon Montecenisio power plant (see mytel 1457, April l)3 and western nations request for speedy consideration Italian entry into UNO, have served to feed this theme. It [Page 870] is frequently mentioned that Russia and France will be asked to return their portions of Italian fleet (see mytel 1496, April 2)5 and optimism is expressed, however warranted, that government electoral victory may see favorable solution to colonial question (see mytel 1456, April l).5
Violence, including shooting and bomb tossing, is becoming disquieting feature. Observers claim this is arising through activities of both right and left extremists. Front partisans watching success recede are straining at fraying leash of electoral truce and neo-Fascists are losing inhibitions. CGIL called general strike in Sicily for part of day in protest to shootings and disappearance several Communist leaders. Communists are also screaming loudly that rightist plot to disrupt popular will on election day has been uncovered. (See mytel 1490, April 2.5 This is interpreted as either beginning of defeat alibi or as justification for growing Communist disorders. Government officials replied by calling so-called plot spurious and recalled only caches of Communist arms are being constantly uncovered. On gloomy side some qualified observers are predicting serious trouble even envisaging possible insurrectionary action before election by widespread Communist cellular network if there is not prospect of material increase over previous Communist-PSI strength in Constituent Assembly (approximately 30 percent).
To offer reassurance of government ability to maintain nationwide order Interior Minister Scelba has emphasized on radio large number of armed effectives at government’s disposal. Sunday, April 4, was taken as occasion to celebrate reconstitution of Sardinian Grenadiere Division by large parade in Rome of 15,000 troops with full fighting equipment witnessed by Defense Minister, other officials, foreign military attachés and large public.
Minister Facchinetti lauded discipline, morale and material efficiency of renovated armed forces which guard country in which competent observers concurred. Since no current event is neglected for electoral propaganda purposes, this day city wide posters appeared addressed to Italian Army which recalled in ignominious detail Mr. Vishinsky’s memorable scathing characterization at Paris conference of Italian troops in late war as being among other things better at running than fighting.
Sent Department 1563; repeated Paris 223; London 165 and Moscow 46.
- In this telegram, not printed, after mentioning the press coverage of developments in Berlin and of Forrestal’s proposals for resuming the draft, Dunn added the comment: “It is clear that Italian public opinion is deeply interested in what happens in Germany and particularly in evidence … of Soviet pretensions.” (740.00119 Control (Germany)/4–348)↩
- In this telegram, not printed, Dunn reported that several Rome papers of March 31 carried Thorp’s statement before a congressional committee that aid to Italy would cease if the Communists were to win the election (865.00/4–248).↩
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