ABSTRACT
The threat to Ottoman rule in the Vilayet of Tripoli stemmed from Italy’s economic penetration of the province and her complaints of ill-treatment to her citizens there. It increased once the Moroccan question had been settled in France’s favour. Italy now demanded a similar position in Tripoli. The Foreign Office appreciated the implied difficulties for British policy. ‘If the Powers of the Triple Entente wish to secure the goodwill of Italy, they must acquiesce in her designs on Tripoli. If they do this they must presumably pro tanto alienate the sympathy of Turkey and throw her more and more into the arms of Germany.’ 2
