The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-21 00:00:00

FRANCE AND MOROCCO.

The line which this country has to pursue towards
France, under present circumstances, is a delicate one,
but not the less clear and straightforward for being
delicate. We have to be spectators, and spectators
only at present, of a quarrel which is going on be-
tween two independent kingdoms ; but we must be,
at the same time, in a state of readiness to act, sup-
posing we should be called upon, i.e., supposing this
quarrel should take a turn which involve our own
interests. Perfect quietness and neutrality up to
this point, but armed quietness, armed neutrality—
the position of a watchful stander-by, ready to strike
a strong blow the very first moment his own rights
should be infringed—this is the situation in which we
now stand to our French neighbours in the Medi-
terranean.

But matters have not come to this pass yet; nor
should a state of preparation for striking a blow,
should it be wanted, make us at all fussy and anxious
to strike it. We should not be one bit the more bel-
ligerent, either in temper or conduct, because we
should be prepared for war. Watchfulness is not a
shadow of an excuse for irritation and interference.
So long as we are at peace with France, and France
does nothing to violate that peace, so long we ought
not even to expect that she will violate it. We
should have a friendly expectation that France will
act fairly, till she shows by her actions that she does
not; and all that we should attend to is to be ready to
act, supposing this just expectation on our part should
be deceived.

The French have bombarded Tangiers, but they
have not taken possession of it. This is the distinc-
tion which should decide the question of our inter-
ference. The bombardment and the occupation of a
town are totally different things, though some
alarmists would make us believe they were the same.
We may permit the one, but we should on no account
permit the other. We expressly guarded our-
selves, in our remarks on this subject the
other day, against being supposed to allow the
smallest concession to France, with respect to the
occupation of Tangiers, or of any other port of
the Emperor of Morocco's dominions. Some of our
Contemporaries are far more generous and bounteous
in their concessions on this head than we are dis-
posed to be, and seem ready to give up the whole
empire of Morocco to France, if she would like to
have it. We think differently. The possession of
such a line of coast as that of Morocco would give
France a preponderance in the Mediterranean that
would be quite incompatible with our interests. And
we seriously assert, that any attempt on the part of
France to take possession of it would be as respecta-
ble a cause of war as almost any that has ever set na-
tions together by the ears.
But France does not occupy either Tangiers or any
any part of the coast of Morocco as yet, and she will
not be allowed to do so. Our Government have, we
have no doubt, not failed to intimate their objection
to even a temporary possession of that town by the
French.
i The Prince de Joinville has indeed bom-
barded t, and it is difficult to see on what principle
of international law he could have been prevented.
But the French bombs are the only French occupants
of the place as yet ; and the Emperor of Morocco
has only got what he deserved—a good peppering for
his obstinacy and unfairness. And peppered he pro-
bably will be till he comes to terms. France is whip-
ping his Majesty into better behaviour, but she has
not yet picked his pockets or stripped him of his clat:
she is the disciplinarian hitherto, and not the high-
way robber. If she should assume that vocation it
will be time for us to interfere.—Times.

AQATICS.
THE WESTMINSTER AQUATIC CLUB.
The gentlemen of this highly-respectable club rowed
their scratch match yesterday, which was well contested,
and numerously attended by the friends of the several
parties engaged in the race and others connected with
aquatic sports. The distance was from Vauxhall to
Putney, the competitors thus escaping much of the incon-
venience they might otherwise have sustained from the
steamers and craft moored in Lambeth-reach. All
being in readiness they got away at about half-past six.
Messrs. Hudson and Scott (Pink) 1
Messrs. Plunket and Johnson (Red) 2
Messrs. ])arby and Andrews (Light Blue) 3
Messrs. Duplan and Young (Green) 0
The start was well effected, and the whole party were
oar and oar for a few strokes ; Light Blue then showed
in advance, Pink being second, and
of each other. Shortly after the start, Green in the heat
of the race was fouled by a boat which was in their
course, and in consequence of this she took so much
water in at her stern that her occupants were obliged to
leave her, having thus lost all chance in the match. Off
the gasworks Pink went up to Light Blue, and after a
couple of minutes' sharp rowing went by them, and re-
taining the lead won by about fifty yards. Light Blue
gave place to Red in the lower part of Chelsea-reach.
THE NAUTILUS BOAT RACE.
A. very excellent race came off yesterday amongst the
members of the Nautilus Club, Bankside. The gentle-
men who contended in this, as in the above, were drawn
by lottery, and the award of victory was two silver cups.
It was started about half an hour after the Westminster
, and was not unequal in
i
the one which had preceded it.
Messrs. Smith and F. Chantler (White) 1
Messrs. T. Plempton and E. Plempton (Blue) 2
Messrs. E. Chantler and A Corbold (Red) 3
Messrs. Carmichael and Dawson (Green) 0
The first mile and a half was contested with great
spirit,am much skill, but considerable
g
away
together, but im-
mediately afterwards Blue took the lead, and held it right
up the reach, pressed throughout the distance by White,
both setting to their work and rowing with much spirit.
On nearing Battersea-bridge White drew ahead of their
e anda nd
power.exhibi exhibited not only
a got
opponents, and kept the lead right to the winning post,
first passing through Putney-bridge by half a minute.
The wind set heavily against the tide, and the whole of
the party shipped a great deal of water in their way up,
Green, indeed, so much, that they might have been con-
sidered out of the race ere their:arrival at Wandsworth,
where they were almost swamped.
SCULLERS' RACE AT PUTNEY.
o by the residents at Put-
nsay
Six young watermen, two or three of whom could not
asrsb
scribedf age, rowed yesterday for a
purse sovereigns,
y,a ud
its vicinity. It is unnecessary to
ed but very little interest, and that only
haveey ,
that
exceededßheaoftehit anr pe at olt
amongst the parties themselves or those nearly related.
It was with six competitors, in three heats, and was won
by Charles Green (stripes.)

THE HARVEST.—The dry winds, accompanied by
sunshine for the last few days, have in a great measure
counteracted the injury done to the outlying crops, by
the heavy rain which fell in the course of last week. In
many places the greater part of the grain is already
stacked, so that upon the whole, as far as these districts
are concerned, we may look forward to an abundant har-
vest. The turnip crops this year are excellent, and an
abundant supply of food for cattle. At the Ipswich Lamb
Fair, which will be held on Thursday next, good prices
are expected to be obtained for all kinds of beasts, sheep,
and lambs.--Ipswich Express.