EUROPE (2)
m.alta, second key-point on British Mediterranean-
Red Sea road to India, is base for repair and refit-
ment of British Mediterranean Fleet. Annexed by
Britain 1814, after Britain had aided a Maltese revolt
against Napoleon. Area of Malta Island, 95 square
miles; of Gozo Island, 26 square miles. Total popula-
tion, about a quarter of a million. In 1921 an elected
Legislature established; but responsible government
suspended since 1933. As map indicates, Malta lies
directly across line of Italian communications with
Tripoli.
iq