t, but the courts decided against
them. A petition signed by a large number of women was presented to
the House of Deputies and some of these advocated a law to give women
the suffrage but Premier Giolitti held that full civil rights must
first be given to them. In 1908 congresses of women were held,
committees formed and a National Committee for Woman Suffrage was
sufficiently organized to send a delegate to the meeting of the
International Alliance in Amsterdam and be accepted as an auxiliary.
Later it became a National Federation for Woman Suffrage. By 1909
suffrage committees had been established in many cities, public
meetings held and propaganda work done. The National Committee had
taken a very active part in the elections of March to have Deputies
selected who favored giving the franchise to women, under the
direction of its president, Countess Giacinta Martini, and
vice-president, Professor Labriola. The press was obliged to take up
the question, led by the _Giornale d'Italia_. In 1910 a Men's League
for Woman Suffrage was formed with a membership of prominent men. A
bill was brought before the Chamber to abolish marital authority,
admit women to the legal profession and give them a vote in local
government. Premier Sonnino was in sympathy but his Cabinet fell.

The National Suffrage Union by 1912 had 10,000 members and took
vigorous part in the municipal elections. As a result many Municipal
Councils adopted resolutions calling on the Deputies to pass a woman
suffrage bill. In 1912 the Chamber was discussing a bill to extend the
vote to illiterate men and one was introduced to give it to women,
which was defeated through the influence of Premier Giolitti, but the
balloting showed that it was not a party question. His government was
continued in power by a large vote at the next election. The King in
opening Parliament promised a bill to give civil rights to women. The
breaking out of the War in 1914 ended all hope of favorable action but
agitation and organization did not cease. Large suffrage congresses
were held in Rome in 1916 and 1917, the latter opened with an
eloquent address by Keeper of the Seals Sacchi, who was to introduce
a Reform Bill for women but it was not done.

After the War Italy shared in the world-wide movement toward improving
the position of women. The long-delayed Sacchi bill was introduced. It
very largely removed the civil disabilities of women, which were many;
abolished the authori