Excessive Zeal

Pietro Nenni, Italy's No. 1 Socialist, had a bit of political luck last week--he was arrested. Nenni and his friend Palmiro Togliatti, Italy's No. 1 Communist, were given permission by the Allies to visit the North, on condition that neither addressed outdoor meetings. Street signs reading "We Want Nenni," "We Want Togliatti" strongly tempted them. Before long, both succumbed. Promptly. Allied military police led Nenni (who holds no Government office) off to jail. Togliatti (who is Italy's Vice Premier) was not arrested.

Instantly all parties protested. Cried the Communist L'Unit`a: an "intimidating maneuver." Sighed the monarchist Italia Nuova: a "regrettable incident." Embarrassed, the Allied military authorities released Nenni, hinted that his arrest was due to the excessive zeal of an Allied M.P.

Nenni's arrest materially improved his chances of heading a new, broadened Italian Government. Premier Ivanoe Bonomi and representatives of Italy's six major political parties (Socialists, Communists, Liberals, Actionists, Christian Democrats, Labor Democrats) had conferred with the North's Committee of National Liberation on the formation of a more representative, more dynamic Cabinet. Last week the six parties of the North and South announced agreement. The new Government would: 1) include all six parties; 2) ask the Allies to replace the Armistice treaty with a treaty of collaboration and friendship; 3) restore the nation's shattered economy.

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