The Detroit times., 1911-12-28
BY HENRY WOOD.

ROME, Dec. 28.-Following the ac-
ttlal declaration OF war and the almost
simultaneous blockade OF the coast of
Tripoif and Cyrenaica, Ita1y's soldiers
and sailors at once occupied the prin-
cipal cities OF the two provinces.
At all OF the four principal forti-
fled coast cities, Tripoli, Hons, Ben
gasi and Tobruk, nominal resistance
was offered to the naval occupation
but in each case this was easily over
come by the large Italian navy. with
ont serious loss to the Italians, with
the exception of Bengasi. There an
effort was made to land marirAs in a
heavy sea while the efforts o. ,uo oar-
tieships to keep from blowing up the
powder magazines, in the city, which
would have completely demolished the
place, kept their fire from being very
effective and the Italians suffered
heavily, especially in the first attempt
which had to be abandoned. In the
second attempt successful landing
and occupation were effected.
AT all four of the cities, the Italian
fleet confined It's efforts merely TO de-
moiishing the forts and entrench-
ments and every possible effort was
put forth to keep from infiicting any
damage TO private and
business property within the cities. In
the main this effort was successful
and after the forts had been reduced
and abandoned by the enemy land
ing was made and the formal control
of the cities taken over by the Ital-
ians
In each case many of the Aarab tribes
submitted peacefully and the first
phase of the occupation was vesy
nuch like that OF a welcome to Ital-
ian control. Immediately following
the naval occupation, the military ex-
peditions which had been forming for
weeks at the. various ports OF Italy
set sail with great secrecy, under
heavy naval escort and troops were
later landed at the four cities, lines
of Notifications and trenches thrown
up and complete occupation fully es-
tablished.
AT this time and for some little time
thereafter there was every indication
that the occupation was going TO be
a very peaceful and easy affair. This
was especially the case at Tripoli,
where, although there were night at
tacks from the Arabs and the Turk
ish tribe without, yet they were at
tacks that were easily repulsed and
indications were that there was lit
tie thought of very serious opposi-
ton.
As consequence, Italy gave its at
tention largely at this time to the
carrying out OF the implied promises
il had made in occupying the two ter
ritories-namely. the promise OF their
moral and material development.
There had been a crop failure in Trip
oil for the three years previous and
the Italian officials at once began for
the distribution Of grain and seed for
the coming planting period. Food was
also distributed TO the natives, the
local currency was changed into ltal-
ian money. the Italian system OF posts
and telegraphs was established. and
Italy seemed on a fair way towards
the Italian officials at once began
carving out an extensive and instan
taneous system OF benevolent assimil-
alton.
She was we'll prepared for this
phase of the occupation and develop
ment OF the territory. for the reason
that for months previous, following
her determination TO occupy the ter
ritory every department OF the gov.
ernment had devoted practically It's
entire time TO studying the country.
its needs, and its possibilities. so that
when actual occupation took place
every detail had been perfected for
doing the country the utmost possible
amount OF good in the smallest pos
sible amount of time.
IL was, however. at this poiAt, that
Italy was made suddenly and forcibly
to realize that Tripoli and Cyrenaica
were not to be hers until she had
conquered them fully and completely
and her efforts at benevolent assimila-
ton was forced to give way at once
to measures first for self-defense and
protection and then for subduing the
entire country