Progress in Cyrenaica
The British Government's plan for the qualified independence of Cyrenaica has had the mixed reception which was expected. There Is no enthusiasm for it in Italy or in Egypt, though for directly contrary reasons ; the Italians fear that it will make their return to Tripolitania more difficult, while the Egyptians see in it a scheme for perpetuating European control in North Africa. The French, as usual in colonial matters, tend to share Italian suspicions of British motives, and the Russians have so far remained silent, though their views can be guessed. The only support for the plan comes from America and, more important, from the people of Cyrenaica them- selves. But there is nothing in the British proposals which should have caused any surprise. Britain has a double obligation towards Cyrenaica ; not to return the Senussi to Italian rule, and to carry on the day-to-day administration of the province until the United Nations decides on a permanent future for it. The first of these obligations we imposed on ourselves during the war, while the second is imposed on us by international law. We have also never made any secret of our belief that the whole of Libya (Tripolitania, that is to say, as well as Cyrenaica) should be groomed for eventual Independence, either as a single State or as two separate States, according to the wishes of the inhabitants. In the light of these considerations last week's announcement that Cyrenaica is to have a Government of its own under the leadership of Seyyid Idris el Senussi is perfectly logical, and, in the light of the General Assembly's failure to produce a settlement for the Italian colonies, there is nothing to complain of in the timing of the announcement.
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