The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1926. THE MEDITERRANEAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1926. THE MEDITERRANEAN.

The trouble in Northern Africa in which France anil Spain are embroiled chiefly, has drawn a good deal of attention to the Mediterranean. Other national interests are beginning to assert themselves, so that there are those who are beginning to think the Mediterranean Sea will become the cockpit for nations seeking territorial aggrandisement. The international interests involved are very great, and Great Britain is specially concerned in the maintenance of an unmenaced marine highway. As a contributing factor to up-holding British interests in that quarter, Great Britain is established at Gibraltar, which is the gateway to the great sea of the Mediterranean. Half-way, is the island of Malta, where again Great Britain is established. Another British possession within the sea is the island of Cyprus. The western outlet is the Suez, Canal which Britain controls as a national waterway. Britain is established also in Egypt, and it is essential for national security that British rule in that quarter should remain undisturbed. The European nations primarily concerned in Northern Africa are France, Spain, Turkey anil Italy. The last mentioned under the rule of Mussolini is growing aggressive, and is looking for an outlet for the growing population of Italy. Mussolini is credited with calling Malta an unredeemed part of Italy, for it was taken from Italy in 1814 by the British. Again with Tunis, where France rules, there are 90,000 Italians established, and tliey are said to have national aspirations. Italy has been controlling Tripoli since the war, hut the natives tribes are restless and keeping the Italian troops active. But Italy is' said to have aspirations in Southern Europe bordering on the Mediterranean, and Mussolini being an unknown quantity with a dream of reviving the ancient sway of Italy when it was part of the great Roman Empire. there is much concern as to what the future may hold. The Turks are much concerned about lost territory in the Mediterranean, and are another factor to be considered if tlie unrest should be created. There is. too, a revolutionary party in Egypt, and Britain lias to he on the alert. Not- only must peace l>e maintained in Egypt, but British rule must he asserted. The country is too important to the welfare of the Empire to allow it to become disintegrated by revolution, or attracted to any other nation. The Suez Canal passing through Egyptian territory, is tlie highway to the east, and to the vast British possessions in India and the East Indies, as well as the short cut route to Australasia. Great Britain must remain the dominant Power in that quarter, indeed in the whole Mediterranean to maintain

her possessions and her peaceful trading inter-course. The developments within the Mediterranean Sea are no doubt, being watched with all care, and at all strategical points British interests will be watcheiT closely. Tho unrest manifested by Italy and Turkey in particular cannot be ignored', for it is very necessary- to safeguard tho future in secure peace, and to that end British interests must bo zealously watched, and being forewarned, so avoid future desperate trouble.