Going to BENGHAZI!

Harriet Chalmers Adams, an author whose account of her Portugal trip (see this blog, July 2, 2013) I have read in the National Geographic Magazine, now gives us an account of her trip to "Cirenaica, Eastern Wing of Italian Libia," in the June, 1930, issue.

Ms. Adams begins, "Acquaintance with the rest of North Africa had led me to anticipate in Cirenaica a country resembling its neighbors.  I found it surprisingly different."  "Under the 18-year-old veneer of Italian civilization, this strange land remains. . .more primitive than any other country bordering the Mediterranean" (p. 689).  So, in 1930, 'Libia' (now Libya) was a colony of Italy!  I was also surprised.

"Bengasi (now Benghazi) is the largest town and seat of government of Cirenaica, which is independent from its big Libian sister, Tripolitania.  The Italians claim in Libia a territory more than seven times as large as that of Italy proper, with its Eastern wing, Cirenaica, occupying about one-third of this area" (p. 689).  In 1930, Bengasi had 32,000 inhabitants; the entire country had approximately 200,000 citizens.

The country of Cirenaica is located directly south of the Island of Crete which is directly south of the country of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea.  Cirenaica is on the north coast of Africa and has had many, many different governments.  It was founded by the Greeks, then conquered by Egyptians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, then by the Arabs in the 7th century A.D.  Finally, the Italians won the political rights to the country, but it cost them dearly.  The Italian government was Fascist in 1930.

While reading this, I was hoping the article would shed some light on a few questions I had concerning the Benghazi area, since it has been in the international news for the last year.  First, why do the people seem to be so violent?  Second, exactly how far away was American help during the September 2012 attack on our Embassy?

Ms. Adams explains the operations of a particular Moslem sect.  "The Senussi sect has successfully withstood western customs.  The Senussi are not a race or a tribe, but a fiercely religious and fanatical brotherhood with political power.  The order, founded by a descendent of the Prophet, born in Algeria in 1787, swept from Morocco to Arabia and south across the Sahara. . .It has been estimated that the conquest of Libia cost Italy 100,000 men and a billion dollars. . .The Senussi leader was given control of tribal affairs in the desert, and the promise that Western innovations would not be thrust upon his people.  In return he agreed to keep peace on Italian and British outposts and permit unrestricted commerce" (p. 710).  The truce took place in 1917.

On the northern coast of Cirenaica, east of Bengasi, was the city of Derna.  Surprise!  It is "linked with American history, for during the war between the United States and Tripoli, in 1805,  the Stars and Stripes waved for a short time over its battlements" (p. 726).

In 1930, Cirenaica's chief agricultural product was barley; it was largely exported to Europe.  Sponges from the waters of the coast were the second 'crop' harvested; sponge divers were all Greek.  There are no hills that would qualify as 'mountains' in the country but there is a vast desert. Numerous oases with their wells and palm trees formed a chain of life in the desert. There are many Roman ruins in coastal areas.  The author found part of the amazing Roman road with wagon and chariot tracks rutting the stones.  The Roman Baths at Guba were quite extensive.

As you can imagine in a desert region, camels were very important.  "Camels do a large share of Libia's work.  The animals start preparation for their life of toil when about four years old. When full grown, they readily carry from 300 to 500 pounds" (photo caption, p. 723).

Ms. Adams talked to an Italian engineer about Italy's plans for Cirenaica.  "Here, where the Greeks of old developed the Garden of North Africa, which our ancestors, the Romans, later called their granary, we shall again make this old-new land bloom" (p. 725).  So much for dreams and hopes and plans of colonial governments!

Question #1: answered; the 'Brotherhood' has a long history of violence in Libya.  Question #2: answered; Benghazi is so close to the American Navy bases in Italy, not to mention the fleet and air support in the Mediterranean, utter destruction was a viable option.  Yet. . .no defensive response was chosen by the present American administration.