The Times of Wednesday publishes from its Rome corre- spondent
a summary of a book by Senator Giacomo de Martino on the Tripolitaine. Signor de Martino describes a caravan journey he made in the little-visited country between the Mediterranean and the Libyan Desert—the Pentapolis of ancient times—and tells his countrymen what their future in the Tripolitaine ought to be. He disclaims any intention to recommend a military occupation, but reminds them that Agreements with France and Britain recognise Italian interests in the Tripolitaine. Little expenditure would make good harbours at Tripoli, Bengazi, Derna, and Tobruk, but the Turks will not allow even a buoy to be put down to mark shoals. So long as the Italians do not enter upon un- warrantable military adventure, they will do well to act upon Signor de Martino's advice. The Sultan, if pressed, would probably grant many more opportunities for commerce. And if the blighting control of Turkey were ever removed from the Tripolitaine with the consent of Europe, Italy would certainly have special claims there, as we have always admitted. She has, in fact, a "special position" similar to that of France in Morocco.
