Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-03-07
TheStatuSOf
In Tripoli
Invading Army Makes No
Roadway and Holds Narrow
Zone With Difficulty.
EDWARD JOHNSON.

artist, explorer, archaeologist
and ethnologist, who recently
returned to this country after
stay Of several years in north Africa
has received letters from friends in
Tripoli containing interesting news
from the scene Of military operations
in that country. These letters. which
were sent in such q manner as to es-
cape the rigid censorship which has
been established by the Italian mill
tary authorities, asserted that the Ital-
ian army is making absolutely no head
way against the Arabs and Tripolitans
and that it is only with the greatest
difficulty that the Italians retain pos
session Of the narrow zone surround
ing Tripoli, which was seized by them
ut the outbreak Of actual hostilities.
Mr.. Johnsons 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 brackish.
alkaline water-which Is the only wa
ter to be obtained for drinking pur-
poses about Tripoli or in 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 camels within reach un-
til, few days before these letters
were mailed. the government Of Tunis,
by proclamation of the hey Of Tunis.
prohibited the expectation Of camels
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 scouting
and observation work above the Arab
and Tripolitan forces encamped in the
desert GASES and in the very outskirts
Of Tripoh itself. These aeroplanes.
which at first terrified the tribesmen.
have become so common that they re-
ceive little attention from the Arabs.
Handbills printed on thin paper are
carried by the aviators and are drop
ped in great numbers in the camps of
the Arab forces. A translation of one
Of these handbills originally printed in
Arabic reads:
TO the Arabs Of Tripolitania:
What are you waiting for in order to
come to US? Do you not feel the necessity
OF praying in your mosques and Of living
quietly with your families, Of letting your
animals or cattle Craze in peace and Of
taking UP commerce again in all security? ?
We have read the book.
We are also religious and also honest.
Italy is your father because he has mar
ried Tripolitania, which is your mother.
I tell you to come to us in all security.
No harm shall come to you, and the past
will be forgotten.
I tell you that all those who come to
me with their guns and all Of their am
munition will each one receive a napoleon
go francs In gold) and a sack Of barley or
Of wheat. The different political and re-
ligious chiefs will be acknowledged by
for their services. My word Is unique
Orue). Allah is great! Pray to him that
he will open your eyes to the truth.
GENERAL CANEVA.
Mr.. JohnsOn's correspondents say
that SO far the Arabs have paid no at
tention to these handbills and other
procla nations. using the bills thrown
from the aeroplanes for cigarette pa
pers, as the war and blockade have
made it difficult for them to obtain
papers for cigarettes.
Sennoussi Declare Holy War.
The letters contain the information
that the Turkish paper Athena on
the day the letters were mailed printed
a letter from the Egyptian chief Fab
my Ali, who is fighting in Tripoi with