DOCE'S EMPIRE IN AFRICA

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 9

DOCE'S EMPIRE IN AFRICA

ITS RISE AND FALL Italy's first footing in Africa—the nucleus of the Empire which is now crumbling—was bought for the-equiva-lent of less than £2,000 in 1870. A shipping merchant who bought Assab from a local sultan 71 years ago laid the foundations. More laud was purchased by the shipper’s company m following years, and this was bought out bv the' Italian Government early in the ’eighties. During following years there were several conflicts between the new ocupants of the territory and the neighbouring Abyssinians, and not until 1889, with the signing of the Uccialli Treaty, by which portion of Abyssinia was ceded to Italy, was there a definite settlement. Royal decree m 1890 named this territory Eritrea. Kassala was acquired four years later during a revolt, but in 1896, after tha defeat of the Italians at Adowa, a provisional peace treaty at Addis Ababa , annulled the Uccialli Treaty and recognised the absolute independence of Abyssinia. Eritrea’s boundaries remained as before the revolt, except .that Kassala was transferred to AngloEgyptian authorities. How significant was the term “ absolute independence ”• was seen in 1935, when Mussolini conducted his war of annexation in defiance of the League of Nations. Reluctantly, other Powers acknowledged the Italian domination. Abyssinia, following its annexation, was incorporated with Eritrea and Italian Somaliland as the Colony of Italian East Africa, under a GovernorGeneral. The coastal strip of Somaliland, as a result of treaties with Somali sultans in 1889, and agreement with England, Zanzibar, and Abyssinia, had become Italian territory. It was increased in area following the handing over of Jubaland, formerly part of Konya, by the British Government as a result of a 1915 treaty. Tripoli and Benghazi, chief towns of Libya, were formerly Turkish possessions, hut under the Treaty of Ouciiy were occupied by Italy in 1911 and 1912. As a result of the 1915 treaty, the western frontier of Italian Libya was altered 11V agreement with the French. 'Phe oasis of Jarabub was ceded by Egypt and occupied by Italian troops in 1926, and in 1930 and 1931 further extension southwards was made. Colonisation was advanced in 1938, when several thousands of emigrants were sent from Genoa, and with the passing of a decree in the following year to incorporate the provinces of Libya in the National Territory, Italy wont ahead to fortify strongposts and prepare for the day when the boundaries could be extended beyond the Egyptian frontier. To-day, with the Italians retreating westwards in Libya, having lost much of their possession, with their grip on Abyssinia weakened, with a retreat in Eritrea, and penetration of Italian Somaliland by British forces, Italy’s African Empire is breaking up* ,