CONTROL OF ERITREA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26628, 26 November 1947, Page 5

CONTROL OF ERITREA

RIVAL CLAIMS REVIEWED

INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEESHIP IDEAL SOLUTION N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 10 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 25. The Manchester Guardian, reviewing the rival claims of Italy, Ethiopia, and Egypt, who are all asking to be given control of Eritrea, says Egypt’s claim is frankly absurd, while it is extremely doubtful whether the overstrained Ethiopian economy could sustain the additional burden which the administration of Eritrea would impose upon it. Egypt is apparently basing her claim upon a desire to unite under the Egyptian flag all territory conquered by Mohammed Ali. Ethiopia has probably a better claim, but even so it is doubtful whether the majority of Eritreans really desire a union with Abyssinia or whether the Ethiopian Government, already struggling under the burden -of new reforms, could carry the additional burden involved in the administration and development of further territory. The population of Eritrea may be roughly divided into Christians and Copts, who are closely akin to the 'Ethiopians, and Moslem Danikils and other tribes who live on the coastal plain. Since the formulation of Ethiopian claims to Eritrea, the true wishes oi the population have been obscured by propaganda, much of it emanating from a small influential section of Eritreans who seek advantages for themselves by trying to the decision. The Guardian considers thal in this difficult situation the majority of Eritreans would probably be quite content to accept the return of the Italians.

It points out that Italy’s experience in this area is unrivalled and that she has many useful public- works and other reforms to her credit during her previous administration. On the . other hand, the fact that Italy has twice used Eritrea as a base for an attack upon Abyssinia cannot be gainsaid, and the Ethiopians' may reasonably feel that Italy should not be given the chance to repeat this performance. If the United Nations were stronger the icibal solution would be an international trusteeship, but such an arrangemenl seems hopeless at present.