Baron & Count

With a bilingual title reminiscent of the Middle Ages, Gerald, Baron Strickland and Conte della Catena has long been friend to the Island of Malta. His mother, the eminent Maltese Louisa Bonici, bore him on the island, and bequeathed to him an Italian title to add to that of his English sire. When he went to England to be educated at Cambridge, Lord Strickland, not forgetting his island friends, wrote vituperative letters to the London Times defending their rights. After graduation he continued to assist in improving Malta conditions. Now he is Head of the Ministry, Minister of Police, virtually monarch of Malta.

Last week Malta inhabitants, embittered, cluttered streets with anonymous pamphlets boldly labeled Perfido Strickland ("Perfidious Strickland"). Suddenly, it seemed, the "Prime Minister" had turned from friend to foe. For the most part Italian-speaking, individualistic, the Maltese have always leaned less toward the Britain that owns them than toward the Italy that is near them.* The Fascisti retaliate with friendship, bitterly realizing that possession of Malta gives Britain virtual command of the Mediterranean. Lately, Fascist and Maltese editors have been hoarsely agitating for the return of Malta to Italy. Last week, over the signature of Friend Lord Strickland an order was issued which 1) Forbade circulation of any newspapers or pamphlets containing anti-British or anti-Strickland propaganda. 2) Imposed penalties of three years imprisonment "on those who help enemies of His Majesty in whatever way, or conspire against the Maltese government," with two years imprisonment "for those who incite others against the government."

*Malta lies 60 miles south of the southern tip of Sicily. Plumped directly in the path of trans-Mediterranean shipping, it still remains the fortress it was when ruled by the Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.