110 THE SECRET OF SAHARA: KUFARA 



the Senussi, while reahsing that Italy will always have a 

 hold in Cyrenaica. It is too early yet for the new con- 

 stitution to be appreciated in Libya. The terms of the 

 accord at Regima have not yet been transmitted to the 

 desert oases. Therefore, there was still much doubt in 

 the minds of our visitors as to the future of their country. 



When the broadminded policy of Italy is fully known, 

 there should be an excellent understanding between the 

 Senussi and their Latin allies. The whole prosperity of 

 the country will depend upon that good understanding. 

 Two men are responsible for its initiation. The Beduins 

 owe their present peace entirely to the straightforward, 

 progressive spirit of Sidi Idris. Italy owes hers to the 

 Governor of CjTenaica, Senator de Martino, who appears 

 to be the first European statesman of this era to realise 

 that in dealing with Arab races it pays to keep one's 

 pledged word. "C'est rnie mauvaise politique de pro- 

 mettre et de ne pas tenir honf' His Excellency said to 

 me while I was staying with him at Benghazi. ''C'est 

 Verreur qua fait VAngleterre, lei on a confiance en 

 moi parcequ'on sait que je tiendrai ma paroleT 



When the candles were lit and mint leaves put in the 

 tea our guests grew confidential. They told us of their 

 love of freedom and of their desire for a quiet life with- 

 out political intrigue. The war had done them much 

 harm, for it had raised prices and closed routes. The 

 trade of the country was almost at a standstill. The 

 export of hides had stopped altogether. 



Bitter feeling had to a large extent died down, but 

 it could be rekindled by any act of aggression. The 

 Arabs hoped at the moment that Italy would come no 

 farther inland, but I imagine that their merchants will 

 be anxious to avail themselves of the increased facihties 

 for trade which Italian protection will give to Cyrenaica. 

 Sheikh Ibrahim asked about the Hejaz kingdom. There 



