Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-19
FRANK EDWARD JOHNSON
HEARS OF TRIPOLI AFFAIRS.
Italy Having Difficult Time to Hold the
Narrow Zone-Uprising of the Sem
nousi Told in a Letter.

The Washington, D. c., Evening Star
of Friday said:
Frank Edward Johnson. artist, ex-
plorer archelogist and ethnologist,
who is in this city after a stay Of
several years in north Africa, yester-
day received letters from friends in
Tripoli containing interesting news
from the scene of military operations
in that country. These letters, which
were sent out in such a manner as TO
escape the rigid censorship which has
been established by the Italian mill
tary authorities, asserted that the
Italian army is making absolutely no
Roadway against the Arabs and Tri-
politans and that it is only with the
greatest difficulty that the Italians
retain possession of the narrow zone
surrounding Tripoli. which was seized
by them at the outbreak of actual
hostilities.
Mr.. Johnson's correspondents write
that the Italians are losing thousands
of horses, the losses hopelessly Grip
ping the cavalry arm of the army OF
occupation, and putting the artillery
out of commission.
The horses, which were brought
from Italy, refuse to drink the brack-
ish alkaline water-which is the only
water to be obtained for drinking pur-
poses about Tripoli or the desert
and in consequence of going waterless
under the desert sun, the animals have
died literally by thousands. The Ital-
ians, the letters state. have comman-
deered all the daniels within reach
until, a few days before these letters
were mailed. the government of Tu-
fr1te 49, h. .fT
mis-. prohibited the expectation of cam
els from that country for the reason
that the animals are becoming so
scarce that the people Of Tunisia have
not sufficient numbers with which to
carry on the agricultural and other
work of the country.
Natives Ignore Italian Appeal.
The letters refer to the use of aero
planes by the Italian army in scout
ing and observation work above the
Arab and Tripolitan forces encampet
in the desert GASES and in the very
outskirts of Tripoh itself These aero
planes, which at first terrified tht
tribesmen, have become so common
| that they receive little attention from
the Arabs. Handbills. printed on thin
paper are carried by the aviators
and are dropped in great numbers IL
the camps Of the Arab forces. 4
translation Of one of these handbills
originally printed in Arabic, reads:
ITO the Arabs of Tripolitania:
What are you waiting for, in ordel
to come to US? Do you not feel thu
necessity Of praying in your mosques
and Of living quietly with your fam
lilies; of letting your animals or cattle
Craze in peace, and of taking up com
merce again in all security?
I'VE have read the book,
I'VE are also religious, and also hon
est. Italy is your father, because h,
has married 1ripolitania, which Il
your mother
i tell you to come to US in all Sc
| curity; no harm shall come to you
and the past viii be forgotten.
Il tell you that all those who COM
to me with their guns and all of thei
ammunition will eac hone receive
napoleon (twenty francs in gold, an,
a sack of barley or of wheat. TIL
different political and religious chief
| viii be acknowledged by the Italian
| government and will be paid for thei
| services. My word is unique (true)
Allah is great! Pray to him that h
will open your eyes to the truth.
! (Sisned) GEN. CANEVA."
Mr. Johnsons correspondents sa
| that so far the Arabs have paid n
attention to these handbills and othe
| proclamations, using the bills throw
from the aeroplanes for cigarette pa
pers. as the war and blockade hav
made it difficult for them TO obtai
papers for cigarettes.