The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-10-14

rates, called it 'the most daring
act of the age" And now il is
another distinguished foreigner who is propos-
ing to pay tribute of another kind to the des-
perate valor of a young American naval captain
more than century after he had thrilled the
hearts Of his felow-countrymen with his daring.
For Premier Benito Mussolini, dictator Of
Italy, has conceived an ambitious project Of
putting the old Barbary coast on the map"
again and making it easy for American tourists
to visit the spot where took place one of the
most glorious deeds in American naval history.
Not only will he make it easy for them to visit
the place but it is said that he is planning spe-
cial inducements to attract them there.
Back in 1912 Italy acquired control over
Tripoltania on the northern coast Of Africa, but
it was not until Mussolini came into power that
it was able to pacify the region. Now in an
effort to restore some of the prosperity of an
Gent times to that region and to provide an
outlet for Haly's surplus population Mussolini
has undertaken a great development program.
More than 10000 families have already been es-
tablished in Cyrenaica, the eastern and most
fertile part of the colony which alone is twice
the size of Italy. The ports are being rebuilt.
the caravan routes to Lake Tchad reopened, and
the entire country is being developed in various
ways. Italian engineers are seeking the coal,
iron and oil that they lack at home. Italian
surveyors are laying out railway lines toward
the heart of Africa.
During several visits to Tripoli Mussolin was
particularly impressed by the historical artrac-
ton the place held for the American people,
especially as it has always been more or less
closed to them For there still survive there
many relics of Americas almost forgotten war
with the Barbary pirates at the opening of the
Nineteenth century. The hulk of the Philadel-
phia lies in % feet of water less than 400 feet
from the end of the MOLE to where it drifted
before exploding, and when the sea is clear one
can row out and see the timbers. Divers report
that the hull is mostly intact and well preserved
and it is said that Mussoni even intends to
raise the vessel eventually for exhibition pur-
poses.
One can visit the dungeons In the bashaw's
palace where American sailors were confined at
many different times, and find old American
naval cannon lying about here and there.
To take advantage of this American historic
appeal, Premier Mussolini is going to cut broad
tourist trail straight across italy, Sicily and the
Mediterranean to Tripoh. He will have special
train services, special sailings and then lux
urious hotels in Tripoli to lodge the visitors.
The hotels are being built now. 1t was partly
for this new attraction that the Italian govern
ment is financing several fine liners which
viii sail directly for the Mediterranean and stop
at Tripoh as well as Naples. The liners carry
ing winter cruises viii be invited to stop there.
The dictator Is also making an attempt to
gather up all the souvenirs of the American
sailors, principally arms, and place them in
special museum There are hundreds Of such
articles scattered among the native families.
The situation which brought about Deeatur's
chance for glory was this: For centuries the
Barbary pirates had preyed upon the commerce
of all nations. Finally it became Europe's Gus
tom, and also that of America. to make presents
of goods and money TO the fierce rovers of north
ern Africa, and when those gifts were not
promptly forthcoming the swift galleys of the
corsairs ranged the and committed every
act OF piracy in the buccaneering calendar. The
cruelty Of these rovers was unbounded, their ar
rogance unmitigated their demands Unsuitable.
America, its colonies established as a free and
Independent nation following the Revolution its
maritime troubles with its erstwhile ally. France
settled now turned its attention the vexatious
and dangerous problem of the Barbary corcairs-
The people and the government were aroused
by the entire situation and determined no long,
er to follow the subservient practice Of Euro
Pean countries The United States demanded
action, and was willing to stake its standing
in the eyes Of the world on the intrepIdity Of
tie small fleet which 1t possessed.
The war really opened in 1901 but It was not