White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-12-15

OF Italian LibIa.
to a considerable extent by economic
and cultural stagnation.
In places along the 1,OOO-mile coast
Of Tripolitania the arid sands come
down to the waters edge but between
are fertile areas on which palms,
olives, figs, oranges and other fruits
flourish. Farther inland among the
highlands occur some rather large
patches on which olives and fruits and
grain are grown. Then come the vast
desert stretches.
The city of Tripoi has been called
''the gateway to the Sahara" Three
historic desert caravan routes have
converged there for ages: the trail
from Timbuktu, that from Lake Chad,
and southeastern route from the re-
gion of the Egyptian Sudan. These
routes were of great Importance for
the bringing from central Africa of
ivory, ostrich feathers, gold dust, and
perhaps most valuable of all in a prim-
tive environment, "black gold'-ne-
gro slaves. This traffic was ostensi
bly, abolished by Turkey only in recent
years.
Cirenaica Has Promise.
Cirenaica, situated on bold pro-
montory protruding into the crystal
clear waters of the Mediterranean, is
dry, parched land with scarcely a
| stream or creek A shelf of limestone
hills resembling a gigantic backbone,
| but hardly justifying the Arab epithet
Green Mountains" stretches across
| the base Of the foreland. Between
| this ridge and the blue sea a fringe of
| fertile fields 60 to 20 miles wide ly-
| ing dormant for centuries, now teens
| with italian colonists and migrating
| Arabs. With the help of modern irri-
cation methods it is hoped this region
will merit it's historical nickname,
"bread basket of Rome"
Visitors to Cirenaica usually sail
from Brindisi on steamers laden to
capacity with italian officers and their
families bound for Bengasi, the prin-
cipal seaport and capital. Because of
rocky bottom which prevents dredg-
| ing in the mole-inclosed harbOr, pas
| sengers disembark into small boats
which bob precariously on the swell
| characteristic Of these coastal waters.
First impression of Bengasi is of
bit of Europe transplanted. Since
| 1911 when Cirenaica was occupied by
the Italians a new town on modern
lines has been built alongside the old
Arab section Wide avenues shaded
by date palms and lined with neat
lecture border public park planted
with imported tropical plants and
shrubs Donkeys carrying nondescript
loads from hooded Arabs to bundles
of firewood larger than themselves
and camels "pad padding" along, vie
with motorcycles and automobiles for
right of way Lovely, dark-hued debu-
tantes fresh from Rome and Paris and
| proud army officers respondent in the
white tropical uniforms of Italy stroll
along wide sidewalks in striking con-
trast to slow-moving burnoosed Arabs,
| scurrying red-fezzed boys and yelled,
| Moslem women ornamented with gold
coins
Fine Sponges Found There.
From time immemorial sponge and
funny fishing have been the chief in
dustries along the coast Of Cirenaica.
Greek divers swim down, holding a
rock, pluck a sponge from the bottom
and then upon releasing the weigh,
float to the surface. The Cirenaican
variety being especially fine, it is
sometimes transplanted to other parts
of the Mediterranean. In ancient days,
it is said, sponges were put in Greek
helmets as "shock absorbers" for the
warriors.
The principal agricultural and food
crop is barley, quantities of which are
exported to the motherland and Scot
land. Henna, olives, vegetables fruit
and grapes are raised in the more fer
] tile regions while dates, figs and skins
are shipped to Italy. the las to be
! made into gloves and shoes.
| A map-minded person might describe
the Lillian desert as "the largest blank
| area on the map Of north Africa with
cartcgrapher's smallest marks indi-
eating few GASES" 1t is shut off
from the Mediterranean by narrow
populated strip which itself szzles in
the hot African sun. On the east the
fertile Nile valley lends the Libian
owners moral support by showing
what might be done with their sand
Ian