Doing Her Part

Six weeks ago, the Western Allies forgave Italy ber war guilt and wrote off the restraints of the peace treaty so that Italy could build air and ground forces for Western defense (TIME, Dec. 31). Last week Premier Alcide de Gasperi, after an eleven-hour cabinet session, announced a 1952-53 budget of $3.4 billions, of which almost a third is for "internal and international security." He had to face down ministers who wanted more money for the unemployed and for essential social reforms, who worried about high taxes, and who wanted to get the U.S. to pay the arms bill. He succeeded, and could show his NATO allies that Italy is ready to increase its arms load by $200 million. Italy's program: twelve infantry divisions, two armored brigades and two Alpine brigades by the end of the year.

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