Italy's Colonial Claims
Count Sforza, in his reasoned argument for the return to Italy of her former colonies, talked of his country's "colonial mission" in Africa. He is so far the only interested statesman who has been bold enough to use this slightly outmoded expression, but even he was obliged to subscribe to the axiom that the colonial peoples should be prepared for self-government " at the earliest possible moment." Quite a number of the colonial peoples themselves think that that moment is now, and Russia, disappointed in her own colonial ambi- tions, is prepared to support their point of view. The Russian plan for international trusteeship for all the colonies has the merit of simplicity, but it has also the considerable disadvantage that it could not possibly work. But if Russia's contribution to the debate at Lake Success is ruled out, as it has to be, there is still not much sign of a compromise plan being hatched by the three Western Powers, and this is the necessary preliminary to an agreed settlement by the Assembly. It appeared from Count Sforza's speech that Italy is resigned to losing all Cyrenaica and a part of Eritrea, but hopes to get back Somaliland and Tripolitania. As far as Somaliland is con- cerned, her title is more or less established, but Tripolitania presents much greater difficulties. France has been consistent in her support for Italian claims here, preferring not unnaturally to see the province adjacent to Tunis in the hands of a Mediterranean Power. But neither Britain nor America has an equally clear-cut solution for this area, although they do not rule out Italian participation in some form or another in view of the considerable contribution which Italy has made towards the development of Tripolitania in the past. If the matter ever comes to a vote in the Assembly, it will probably be found that the support of the South American States for Italian claims is neutralised by the opposition of the Arab States.
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