Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1891-11-28
" M0ROCCO'S MIDDLE.
queer Diplomatic Relations with
Other Nations.
n hich Country That Would he GobbIed
Up but for International Jeul-
! ousies-The Canada
d. Of Spain.

The rulers of Europe, enaeavor now
and then to impress his highness, Malay
Hassan, the sultan of Morocco, with a
proper sense of their amiable feelings,
iays the New York Sun. Their hand
some presents are joyfully received by
thc Moorish potentate. though it is be-
loved he has never reciprocated in kind
except on one occasion, namely, when
he honored with some rare specimens
of Moroccan handiwork the ruler of
Spain, whose military forces had badly
trounced his highess' own army years
before. Some time ago he received from
his great friend, the king of the Bel
gians, about n mile of narrow-gauge
railroad track with rolling stock COM
plete and of proportions adequate for
the accommodation of the sultan and a
few OF his wives. Another great friend,
Queen Victoria, has now sent to the
sultan, as proof of her thoughtful re-
gard, an equally novel present, an In
dian elephant, adorned with n gorgeous
howdah, and the only animal of his
species in Mulcy'S wide domain.
Morocco is in some respects unique
am'''s lie nations. 1t is the only coun-
try having diplomatic and business re-
lations with most of the leading govern
mcnts whose representatives do not live
within weeks journey of the capital.
If white men are tolerated in the coast
towns they arc not wanted in the in
terror. Our consul general and those
of the European states get no nearer to
the Moroccan court than Tangicr, and
transc 1t their affairs of state through
nj M min sefA -I< =
to act as intermediary: and as it is an
eight to twelve days journey through
the almost painless regions between
the coast and Fee, or Morocco, the
diplomatic relations between the sui
tan's palace. anu the outer world are
conducted with truly oriental delibera-
ton.
Morocco is the only Mohammedan
country having diplomatic relations
with eight great governments in which
u non-believcr can enter a mosque only
at the peril of his life. Europeans are
forbidden by law to enter any mosque
In the country, and even in Tangier,
where half the population are non
Mohammednn, it is dangerous and fool
hardy to make the attempt unless ac-
companied by Mohammedan officials.
Elorocco opposes, also, far more strenu-
ously than China the growth of western
IDEAS or the development of western
trade, Size is the Canada of Spain. for.
Spanish criminals find safe refuge in
her coast towns, and all Spain's efforts
to secure an eXtradition treaty have
been in vain.
Rich as Morocco is In natural resour-
ccs above all other north African coun-
tries, it is lucky for Nluley Hassan's
peace Of mind that European rivalries
have had the result to keep all hands
off. A great deal Of nonsense has been
endured, actual affronts have been
winlled at by the European powers, be-
cause none Of them is willing that an
other shall take any step in Morocco
Chat may give it an advantage.
England thinks she has preeminent
claims upon the country because she
once possessed Tangicr, and also be
cause she pulled the sultan out of hi!
financial slough when he knew no
where to turn for the money Spain de
mandcd as Il war indemnity after tn
unplcasantness of 1860. Spain is firml,
convinced that her interests are para
mount because the country is her mex
door ncighbor, because she already pos
sesscs Ccuta on Moroccan soil, and be
cause not q few of her citizens hav
cmigrated thithcr. many of them, sh
must admit, for their countrys good
France cherisheS the idea that Morocco
would appropriately round out her Nc
hammedan possessions in north Africa
and. if the prize were hers, that A
gcria's frontiers would be secure, an
there would be no veXatious boundar
questions. Germany and Italy, Will
lIlving no presumption rights to advance
;rc firmly persuaded that the status gu
must he preserved So the powers rea
ly agree in nothing, SO far as Morocco
is concerned, except That none of the1
will be permitted by the others to pic
any quarrel with Muley Hassan tn;
might result in war conquest; ar
furvhcr, that all Of them VII exc
themselves to keep on the right side