Mr. Furlong's Lecture on Tripoli

Mr. C. W. Furlong, F.R.G.S., gave an illustrated lecture in the Union last evening, taking as his subject "Tripoli."

Africa for centuries has been the object of the cupidity of Europe. England, France, and Germany now occupy the larger part of it, leaving Tripolitania the only important section not in the control of the Christians. Yet this region as it is today is not a country which is fitted to produce on the modern scale. Rivers run through it into the sea, but in the dry season they become simply dried up river beds. So Italy, in undertaking to conquer Tripoli and use it as a colony, must be prepared to spend years in introducing modern methods and systems of cultivation.

The Moroccan situation gave Italy her chance to step into Tripoli, a land filled with a motley crowd of people. There are whites, Arabs, and Negroes composing the chief element of the population, and there are the Bedouins or nomadic Arabs living in the oases which are sprinkled over the desert and around the towns. But these people are hard to civilize and, as much as they hate their Turkish conquerors, they like them better than they do the Christians. The country has always been closed to the civilizing influences which have sometimes been set toward it. It remains a land of primitive manners and customs.

Italy had no moral right to step across to Africa, as Tripoli had given her no cause for war. But she is politically justified, for she needs room. It is a case of now or never, for France might step in from Tunis and Algeria at any time, were she not occupied elsewhere. Italy, however, is going to encounter difficulties. The city of Tripoli is taken, but not the country. Water is scarce even in the city, camels are absolutely necessary for transportation, and food is in the absolute control of the Turkish rulers of the land.

Italy has really made nothing more than a raid, not a war. Hardly good target practice was afforded at the bombardment of Tripoli, for the palace is so long that no sighting right or left is necessary to hit it. And, anyway, there was no resistance, for the Turks went away, leaving their banner flying and the Italians firing. A war with the forces of Turks in Tripoli would be a force if both armies were on an equal footing, but the control of necessary supplies by the Turkish army renders matters dangerous for the Italians. The terrible heat and sand storms of the desert, and the fierce Arab tribes are other dangers which Italy must pass in order to penetrate the country.