DESIGNS ON EGYPT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 133, 2 December 1935, Page 3

DESIGNS ON EGYPT

A DENIAL BY BALBO

REINFORCEMENTS IN LIBYA

AIMED AT SENUSSI

Air Marshal Italo Balbo, Governor General of Libya, has given me bis reasons why Italy is diverting so many troops into Italian North Africa and why he has found it necessary to reinforce the Egyptian-Libyan frontier, wirelessed Lady Drummond Hay from Tripoli to the "New York Times" recently. In an interview he has just accorded me here Marshal Balbo ruled out an Anglo-Italian war as "a piece of madness" and said that Italy had never had the remotest idea of invading Egypt or demanding a corridor between Libya and Erilrea. The real reason for the troop movements, he declared, is that Britain is supporting Italy's bitterest enemies in North Africa—the Senussi family and their adherents—and encouraging their subversive activities among Cyfenaican exiles still in Egypt. Libya is alive with the military. Here in Tripoli numberless troops, mounted and afoot, are- arriving continually, followed by burdened pack mules, loaded motor trucks, and sometimes crunching tanks. The troops pass through palm-lined streets under the blazing African sky to military music or the sound of their own singing. There is also an outflow from Libya for service in East Africa. The impressive war pageantry is being controlled from an old white Turkish fortress by the dashing young air marshal and Governor-General, surrounded by generals and staff officers. "Why are you getting all these troops into Libya?" was my first question. "What makes you so suspicious^—have you had any provocation?" "First of all," replied Marshal Balbo, "Libya is a very good colonial training ground for Italian soldiers. We even call it the 'higher training school' for Italian East Africa. In fact, it would be a very good thing if without exception it were possible for all the troops intended for Eritrea and Somaliland to spend some time here first. "Another reason is that the British have taken the Senussi under their protection and the Senussi these days do not seem to be lacking for money. You must not forget that when the Italian Government occupied Cyrenaica this occupation dealt a death blow to the power of the Senussi tribe, which for a century had been politically and economically exploiting the Arabs of Cyrenaica. ""The Senussi retaliated by fomenting revolts. They are enemies who in critical times can give us a great deal of trouble by spreading disaffection among the voluntary exiles from Cyrenaica who still remain in Egypt." THOUSANDS FLED. During the period of the Italian conquest and the subsequent pacification thousands of Arabs fled across the Libyan border to Egypt. One Of Marshal Balbo's greatest efforts has been to win them back again not only by granting free entry but by offering them means of starting life anew. He told me that he gives them camels, cattle, grain/ and rights of land, and he is particularly angry that these important plans should be interfered with. - ' "The British are doing all they can to prevent my Arabs from returning to Cyrenaica," he charged. "The statistics tell their own tale. Last January 195 came back. The following months all showed an increase until by intensification of propaganda and means of assistance by Italy 638 returned from Egypt in May. About the same number came in June, but since then the numbers have diminished until only 100 crossed the frontier last month. The situation has become so critical that I feel we need troops." I asked the marshal whether he meant that Italy feared actual aggression on the Egyptian-Libyan frontier. "We Italians refuse to believe in the possibility of an Anglo-Italian war," he answered. "But if such an inconceivable cataclysm should happen, I think that on the frontier we should only find armed bands of Arabs. Only the British are too intelligent to risk action with European troops against the Italians, who would be exasperated to desperation at sueia an unjustified conflict." The then gave me his views on the tendencies of what General Hermann Goering, German Air Minister, once described to me as "this smash and grab." "I think," said Marshal Balbo, "that history has pretty well demonstrated ■that the only way to get what you want is to go after it. As far as empire-building is concerned, there seem.to be only two methods—the socalled peaceful penetration or absorption and conquest—although exactly where one begins and the other ends 'has never been made quite clear. "Perhaps," he added slyly, "some of your British imperialists can tell you better than I can. "I personally think that Geneva should discuss the necessity of colonies being given to overpopulated countries. The world simply must recognise the problem and do something about it. It is tremendously urgent, and unless it is solved worse troubles than a colonial war will ensue in the near future. "I cannot understand why Italy's personal business with the Ethiopians has caused such a world-wide storm. It comes as a shock after-the hands-off policy regarding the South American war and Japan's occupation of Manchuria. "Why now pick on Italy and her much more comprehensible designs upon a barbarous country, like Ethiopia? It is illogical—above all, illogical for England." THE LIFE OF EGYPT. "But in this case you threaten to jstep on the tail of the British lion," ■ I reminded him. "The source of the Nile is Ethiopia and the Nile is the whole life of Egypt."

After murmuring sotto voce something to the effect that the British lion seemed to be well asleep when Japan was concerned or else in a trance these last years, Marshal Balbo protested loudly with eloquent gestures that Italy has never had any designs on Egypt.

"The question of Lake Tana can be settled easily," he declared. "Italy is not occupying Ethiopia for the purposes of blackmailing Egypt through the sources of the Blue Nile I can assure you that Italy has never even dreamed of invading and conquering Egypt.

"Egypt is the most civilised country in the Near East, yet it is not enjoying the complete independence which is the privilege of backward countries. And Egypt is not even admitted at Geneva. True, the Egyptians aspiro to free themselves from British guardianship, but we know it is certainly not to exchange that for Italian domination. It is sheer madness to think of it."

The marshal strenuously denied that there was any Italian propaganda in Egypt. That was expected and natural. I then asked him about rumours that Italy aimed at a passage between Eritrea and~ Libya via Kufra Ovenat, and the Sudan. He fairly roared. WHAT IT WOULD MEAN. "People who spread such rumours don't know'their geography!" he shouted, and rushed to a map. "ft would

mean building roads almost 1800 miles long across a waterless desert in the Sahara. Even if England offered Italy such a passage through the Sudan, Italy could not accept the offer and undertake the terrific task of building a road."

He continued to stare at the map, muttering at the folly and mischief of rumour-mongers.

Tnere was a short silence. I broke it by recalling a newspaper report that in native circles in Alexandria and Jerusalem there was lively sympathy with Italy and recognition of Italy's rights in Ethiopia.

"Of course I am pleased, Marshal Balbo smiled, "but I am not surprised. The Moslem world is looking towards Libya with great interest. The truth regarding our system of government in our North African colonies is coming to light. Prejudices are crumbling and it is quite natural that the world of Islam, especially the more educated parts, should show understanding of our problems and do us justice as a colonising power."

"Supposing Italy does conquer Ethiopia?" I asked him. "What methods of subsequent 'civilising' would be successful there."

I lather expected the marshal to say 'Force—barbarians would not understand anything else" —but instead came the quiet reply.

"They are such a simple people that there is only one way to deal with them—a maximum of humanity and justice.

"You see"—and Marshal Balbo settled back in his huge armchair —"the simpler any people is the more it re sponds to justice. It is the first thing for a primitive people. Be just with them and they soon know where they stand and they respect you. Temper that with humanity and they love you. Certain measures may be necessary at first, but there is no reason why they should continue once the situation has been made clear.

"Take Libya for instance—that, .is what you were thinking of, isn't it? My personal policy of justice and humanity is working even better than I expected."

I could not resist asking a question that has intrigued everyone who best remembers this hardworking colonial administrator with all the makings of a second Lyautey in him as a daring air pilot and leader of spectacular mass formation flights.

"How is it that you are content now to work at the far less glamorous task of colonising a difficult country like Libya?" I asked him. "You can take it from me that I am quite satisfied with my present task," he answered.

He caught what was probably a glance of incredulity in my eyes, but added quickly. "Oh, yes, I know I told you last year soon after I first came out here that I was unhappy without my aeroplanes. But there is a time for everything and in a man's life an age for everything. "In my case the various phases of my political life have moulded and prepared me for this important post of national interest. And this post again will in turn help prepare me for whatever other responsibilities I may be called upon to shoulder in years to come."