THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. TUESDAY MAY 17, 1949. Tripolitania's Future

Northern Advocate, 17 May 1949, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. TUESDAY MAY 17, 1949. Tripolitania's Future

Contrary to the expressed expectations of people whose opinions regarding international affairs warranted respect, the special session of the United Nations Assembly held at Lake Success to deal with the future of the Italian colonies in Africa has not so far produced a finding that has given universal satisfaction.

There has been general acceptance of the Assembly's findings in respect of Eritrea, Libya and Cyrenaica, but Britain’s proposal 1o transfer Tripolitania from British to Italian trusteeship in 1951 has aroused strong protests by Arabs, whose demonstrations resulted in armed clashes during the week-end. Arab friendship for Britain, built up during the British administration of Tripolitania, a press correspondent says, has been turned to ■xtreme bitterness in one week.

This is regrettable, for the British plan was brought forward because no better scheme seemed possible. It has always been the French view that Tripolitania should be restored to Italy as a trusteeship under the Uniled Nations, and they have preferred this to any scheme for Arab independence, for which they considered the Tripolitanians are not ready, and which rpight easily have unsettling effects upon the French territories to the west. The French have also indicated that they would prefer y an Italian rather than a British trusteeship, .for they have learned by experience, often unhappy, that French and British methods of colonial rule do not go well together in double harness.

Though Britain has evinced reluctance to assuming trusteeship of Tripolitania, it should be remembered that it was a British army which liberated Cyrenaica and Tripolitania from Fascist rule, and that Britain, as the occupying power, has assumed responsibilities to the Arab people which cannot be lightly dismissed. It is true that no promises were ' made to the Arabs of Tripolitania as they were to the Senussi of Cyrenaica, but a majority of Tripolitanians believed that they had been

“liberated” and never dreamed that they would be handed back to Italy after the war.

The Four-Power Commission which visited Tripolitania in 1947 found strong opposition to the Italian Government and only an insignificant minority in favour of its return. The resentment of the Arabs to the granting of a trusteeship to Italy in 1951 is understandable in the circumstances, but there is not wanting evidence that Communists, taking advantage of these circumstances, are engaged in their congenial task of fomenting antagonism to Britain. There are two sides to every story, and strong arguments have been made in favour of Italian trusteeshipTripolitania, it has been pointed out, is a desert country which needr more than anything else, the restor? tion of its barren soil. Before the war. Italy, with great energy and skill, had undertaken this task, and she is prepared again to continue with all the patience and industry of a peasant people. Italy's achievements in this work of reclamation are said to compaie with the best that has been done by the British in Africa or the Jews in Palestine, and it is stressed that, though under the Fascist regime, most of this effort was devoted to the Italian colonies.

Apparently Italian administration Qf,Tripolitahia was not a failure, for until the stir that has occurred during the past few weeks, there was declared to be little or no hostility among the Arabs to the 40.000 Italians who remain there, the majority of them being simple peasants whose way of life does not differ much from that of the Arabs themselves.

It is this fact which gives significance to the Arab outcry against an Italian trusteeship.

A British official in Tripolitania is reported to have declared that if the United Nations Assembly approves Britain's proposal that Italy shall be granted a trusteeship in two years’ time there will be a real upheaval. This provides strong reason why the decision of the Unitdd Nations Assembly, expected today, should be awaited with keenest interest coupled with anxiety.