Royal Resignation

Compressing all Italy's transatlantic carriers into the Italian Line was one of Benito Mussolini's biggest business deals (TIME, Oct. 26, 1931).

Soon after M. S. Rex broke down at Gibraltar, fortnight ago, Rome heard rumors that His Royal Highness Prince Luigi of Savoy, Duke of the Abruzzi, would resign as president of the Italian Line because of the breakdown.

Furious at such insinuations, His Royal Highness said when he resigned last week, "My reason is that I have been unable to achieve harmony among executives who formerly headed competing lines."

Embarrassed, but unable to refuse a royal resignation, Il Duce concentrated on keeping at heel the Italian Line's directors, half of whom were said to want to resign and two of whom sent in resignations which were ignored.

"Your Excellency, I am 73 years old!" cried Director Vittorio Rolandi-Ricci, one-time Italian Ambassador to the U. S. and now a senator, dealing with Il Duce. "Surely, on account of my age--entirely on account of my age--I should resign!"

"Signore," came the Premier's flattering reply. "I cannot permit you to resign. You have the spirit of a man of 37!"

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