Snt,—It appears that Mr. Bentwich is over-simplifying his case when
he criticises the solutions put forward by Brigadier Longrigg as anti-. Ethiopian and Imperialist. I have discussed the problem of the Alto Piano of Eritrea with several prominent Ethiopians and they were mostly inclined to agree that for some considerable time to come Ethiopia was ready neither politically nor economically to take over such extended responsibilities. A trusteeship of the whole Tigrenean peoples under the Emperor's sovereignty for some definite period is a solution that cannot be dismissed quite so lightly.
Let us be realistic. The word "imperialism" implies exploitation either for strategic or commercial purposes. There should be little danger of th. latter in either Eritrea or the Ogaden as the riches available in either are negligible. The only question of strategic importance is the Port of Massawa. In this world of totalitarian wars it is unrealistic to pretend that these major questions of national security can be solved piecemeal. Such problems will, we hope, be dealt with by the new schemes of collective security now being sponsored by the Great Powers.
There is little doubt that the Muhammadan tribes of the area between Keren and the Sudan look westward to their co-religionists rather than to the Ethiopians. The Copts of the Highlands do, on the other hand, have their cultural ties with Ethiopia and, in the end, it is probable that they will be incorporated with the Southern Kingdom whose rulers are Christian. They themselves, however, are very mixed in their views at present Material well-being is not everything but it remains a first demand. To hand over the Tigrenea-speaking Eritreans immediately to the Ethiopia of the moment, so occupied w;th her own grave problems, would be to deny them the schools, hospitals and the degree of personal freedom and justice which they are just learning to appreciate. This appreciation is more constructive than the crude political ideas of the politically ambitious, semi-educated minority to be found in Asmara and Addis Ababa. A temporary trusteeship might well answer this problem, giving the Eritrean Copts the best civilisation has to offer without offend- ing the national pride of our Ethiopian friends. With the advantage of more years of education Eritrea would join with Ethiop:a as an equal partner and not as a backward province, for it must be remembered that Eritreans have never been given educational facilities by the Italians.
Lastly, let us beware, in our efforts to avoid imperialism in ourselves, not to encourage it in others. There is no doubt that many Ethiopians, no doubt unconsciously, are imperialists. I do not blame them—Europe is to blame—but imperialism exists in Addis Ababa and a sentimental gesture of handing over thousands of ignorant peasants, largely done to salve our uneasy conscience towards our Ethiopian friends and without due consideration of the legitimate interests of more backward peoples, might be harmful to Ethiopia herself as well as to the other races concerned.—
Yours, &c., PHILIP S. MUMFORD (Formerly Public Information Officer, Eritrea). Farley Green Farm, Albury, Nr. Guildford, Surrey.
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