13 JANUARY 1912, Page 15

THE WAR IN TRIPOLI.

ITO THE EDITOR OP THE SPECTATOR.1 SIR,—Surely Signor Villari, in his letter which appeared in your issue of December 30th, 1911, rather over-estimates the Italian approval of this war. A well-known Italian silk manufacturer and Free Trader wrote to me a few weeks ago (speaking of his own and his much respected family's opinion) : " Noi non siamo affatto per Tripoli e crediamo ohs 1' Italia aveva tante altre cose migliori da fare. Speriamo ohs la guerra finisca, presto." I cannot think that my friend is so completely alone in this respect, and in any case his letter shows that the words " every one " used by Signor Villari is excessive.—I am, Sir, Sco., Beccles.

ARTHUR HUGHES.