Trial Run

In a sleek, blue Lancia with bright red wheels, pale-faced Dr. Alcide de Gasperi rode through Rome last week to the closing session of the interim consultative assembly. As the Foreign Minister's car passed the round, ancient bulk of the Castel Sant' Angelo, a pistol bullet smashed through the Lancia's front windows.

Deep in thought Dr. de Gasperi absently murmured encouragement to his frightened chauffeur. At Montecitorio Palace Dr. de Gasperi, no paler than usual, said nothing of the attempt on his life. Reporters were told that he "resumed his thinking" a moment or so after the shot was fired.

Minister de Gasperi was on his way to a session of Italy's first free meeting of political minds since Mussolini abolished parliamentary government 20 years ago. It was also the first to hear a woman's voice. Said good-looking Anna Maria Cingolani, a Christian Democrat and one of deeply Catholic Italy's new feminists:

"The women don't think we can do any worse . . . than the men have done." The men applauded.

They could do no more, on any question, than applaud and advise. The assembly had no final powers; it was only the first step toward a real Parliament. But Italians took heart. In louder, firmer tones than he had mustered at his inaugural address, Premier Ferruccio Parri wound up the session with a backpat for the "high degree of maturity shown . . . in this first trial run in democratic representation." A scheme of electoral law would be put before the assembly within the month; free elections and a constituent assembly were one step nearer.

One of many still unsettled questions in still unsettled Italy was whether to remain a monarchy or turn republic. Fiery Gregorio Agnini, 89, who got off a rousing republican speech on the assembly's first day, died during the week. But many another voice in and out of his Socialist Party would still continue to demand that the country have done with the House of Savoy.

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