Il Re Galantuomo

Twenty-five years ago, on July 29, the crack of an assassin's gun was heard in Rome: King Umberto had been murdered. Twenty-five years ago, on August 9, Prince Vittorio Emanuele was proclaimed King.

Not long ago, the King was reminded of the approach of his silver jubilee. On what day would he hold an official celebration? Certainly not on the anniversary of the death of his illustrious father. Not on August 9, for it is then too hot in Rome. But perhaps he would care to have it celebrated on May 24, the day upon which Italy entered the War? No, the Soldier-King, as the Italians call him, would not hold his jubilee on that day. He recalled that June 7 was Constitution Day, commanded that, on that day, would be celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his reign. It is typical of him to choose such a day.

The day came around, last week, and it seems doubtful if Rome had gazed upon such scenes since he that was to be Caesar Augustus returned there after the Battle of Actium. The city was gay with flags and bunting. The ceremonies began at 7 o'clock in the morning and the King and Queen spent a busy day, which began on the reviewing stand at 8 o'clock and ended late in the evening at the Quirinal Palace, the royal palace at Rome, formerly a summer residence of the Popes.

Past the King and Queen, who were accompanied by the Queen Mother Margherieta (proud of her son), Crown Prince Umberto, the Princesses Mafakla and Giovanna, the Duke and Duchess of Aosta (the King's cousins), Benito Mussolini and members of the Diplomatic Corps, marched a two-hour military and police parade. Later, a monster procession of more than 100,000 people, headed by a platoon of the Royal Guards on white chargers, marched past the Quirinal Palace, paying a tribute of cheers to its Sovereigns and receiving in return the King's salutes and the Queen's bows. Dense crowds lined the streets from the Piazza Colonna, down the Corso Umberto, through the Piazza del Popolo to the Quirinal square. The most touching scene of the procession was when 50 surviving Garibaldi veterans, wearing their red shirts and led by Ezio Garibaldi, grandson of the Patriot, marched past the grandson of Vittorio Emanuele II whom they had helped to make King of United Italy. Emotional Italians on all sides broke down, sobbed; others raised thunderclaps of cheers; mothers lifted their babies to see the old men, not one of whom was less than a septuagenarian. During the day, the Diplomats were received by the King, who listened and replied to their addresses of goodwill and congratulations. Representatives of the Aventine Opposition--Deputies who boycotted the Chamber as a protest against the Fascist regime following the murder of Matteotti (TIME, June 23 et seq.)--called at the Quirinal, presented their greetings. No untoward incidents were reported. The Fascisti did not march in a body, but mixed in with the other organizations. The day was an impressive display of loyalty to the Crown, personated by the head of the House of Savoy. It was natural that the Italian people , carried in their minds the tremendous growth of the nation which has taken place since the King came to the throne. Not only has the World War delivered the Italia Irredenta (portions of the nation in Austrian hands, comprising some 7,000 sq. mi.), but Italy has grown into an African power with some 600,000 sq. mi. of territory. How much the King had to do with this it would be impossible to say, but there is no doubt that the people link these far-reaching events with his name.

King Vittorio is a small man, little more than five feet in height. He resembles more a prosperous farmer than a prince of the famous House of Savoy. Possibly there has never been a King in all history that has effaced himself so completely as has King Vittorio. Court formalities are the bane of his existence and he cuts them to a minimum. He is a constitutional monarch par excellence; indeed, it is said of him that "he is more constitutional than the Constitution."

He has known how to act constitutionally and to make his actions tell with greater force than have those of some despots. Hardly had he come to the throne than he refused point blank to make the Socialists suffer because a loon from Paterson, N. J., murdered his father. Shortly after, he delivered one of his few speeches, which has since become famous for its brevity and point:

"In Italy, no man does his duty from the highest to the lowest; the laisser faire and laxity are complete. Now it is to the accomplishment of their several duties that all without distinction must be called. I begin with myself and am trying to do my duty conscientiously and with love for my country. This must serve as an example and as a spur to others. My ministers must help me in everything and they must promise nothing that they cannot perform. They must not content them- selves with mere talk or create illusions."

Again, in 1923, Premier Facta asked him to sign a decree establishing a state of siege. The Fascisti were at the gates of Rome and it was clear that the King must choose between civil war and the exercise of his constitutional powers to prevent it. He tore up the decree. Premier Facta resigned and

Benito Mussolini, erstwhile Republican, was made Premier. It took a good deal of courage and intelligence to do that, but the King has never known fear, and intellectually comparatively few men dwarf him. No wonder that Queen Victoria called him "the most intelligent Prince in Europe" and that President Theodore Roosevelt subsequently came forward with a voluble seconder. During the three and a half years Italy was in the War, the King was at the front. He was, of course, Commander-in-Chief of the army, but he left the direction of the War to the professional soldiers and gave advice only when it was asked of him. During this whole period, except for such leaves as the common soldier was entitled to, King Vittorio remained at the front, and hardly a day passed that he did not visit some section of the front line, suffering hardship, risking his life. His service in encouraging the soldiers was of great value to the generals. So brave was he that it is recorded that, on several occasions, men were killed by shell splinters who had been talking to him a moment before. He did not go "scotfree" himself, being wounded in the left hand. With characteristic modesty and thoughtfulness, he forbade publication of the injury. Of his generosity, there are no end of tales. On the outbreak of war, he lent his palaces at Rome, Naples, Florence, Turin, Milan, Palermo and Venice to the nation as hospitals; and Queen Elena, who towers above her squat husband, dignified the nursing profession by serving as a nurse for the "duration of the War." In 1911, a would-be assassin made a dastardly attempt upon his life. In 1918, under the Victory Amnesty, the man was unconditionally set free. About the same time, the King gave lavishly many of his palaces to the nation and some large estates to Italy's veterans' association. Yet it is not these sterling qualities alone that have endeared him to his people. He had made it his business to go among them, to visit them in their homes and upon their farms and to take an intelligent interest in their welfare. It is doubtful if any King in the world today is so well known to his subjects as is King Vittorio. Certainly, none is better loved. A typical example of his regard for his people was given when the King and Queen hurried to the ghastly scenes of the earthquake at Messina and Reggio in 1908. They had gone not as ornaments, but to direct and to be of use. "With the earth still trembling," they distributed food, drink and clothing to the thousands of sufferers and with their own hands tended the wounded. An obsequious official, thinking to please the King, remarked that his presence had lessened the agonies of the sufferers. The King wheeled round and sharply retorted: "Don't talk such d--d nonsense." Small wonder that he is known the length and breadth of Italy, like his grandfather Vittorio Emanuele II, as il Re Galan-tuoino.