The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1892-01-07
MOROCCO'S MIDDLE.
Queer Diplomatic Relations with
Other Nations.
"a Rich Country That Would lie GobbIed
Up but for International Jeal-
ousies-The Canada
of Spain.

The rulers of Europe, endeavor now
and then to impress his. highness, Malav
Hassan, the sultan of Morocco, with a
| proper sense of their amiable feelings.
says the New York Sun. Their hand
some presents are joyfully received by
the Moorish potentate, though it is be-
! lieved 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
trouneed his highess' own army years
before. Some time ago he received from
his great friend, the king of the Bel
! gians, about mile of narrow-gauge
railroad track with rolling stock com
plete and of proportions adequate for
the accommodation of the sultan and
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 gorgeous
howdah, and the only animal of his
species in Mulcy's wide domain.
Morocco is in some respects uniuuc
among the nations. 1t is the only eoun-
try having diplomatic and business re-
lations with most of the leading govern
ments whose representatives do not live
within weeks journey of the capital
If white men are tolerated in the coast
| towns they are not wanted in the in
terror. Our consul general and those
of the European states get no nearer to
I the Moroccan court than Tangier, and
transact their affairs of state through
the sultan's minister, who is kept there
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 and the outer world are
conducted with truly oriental delibcra-
| ton. &t&
Morocco is the onIy Monammedan
country having diplomatic relations
with eight great governments in which
non-bclievcr can enter q mosque only
at the peril of his life. Europeans are
forbidden by law to enter any mosque
III the country, and even in Tangier,
where half the population arc non
I Mohammedan, it is dangerous and fool
hardy to make the attempt unless ac-
companied by Mohammedan officials.
Morocco opposes, also, far more strenu-
ously than China the growth of western
ideas or the development of western
trade. She is the Canada of Spain, for
| Spanish criminals find safe refuge in
her coast towns, and all Spain's efforts
TO secure an cxtradition treaty have
K been in vain
Rich as Morocco is in natural resour-
ces above all other north African coun-
tries it is lucky for Muley Hassan's
peace of mind that European rivalries
have had tie result to keep all hands
of. great deal of nonsense has been
endured actual affronts have been
wlnlled at by the European powers, be-
cause none OF them is willing that an
ouher snail take any step in Morocco
Ihat may give 1t an advantage.
England thinSs she has preeminen'
cialns upon inc country because She
once possessed Iangicr, and also be
cause she pulled inc sultan out OF his
hnanclal slough when he knew no.
where TO turn Tor the money Spain dc
manded as war indemnity after the
uhpicasantness OF 1860. Spain is firmly
convinced that her interests are para
mount because the country is her mex
door nelghoor, because she already pos
oCnDSo ScuIil Oll N1OTOCCuU SOIL, ana Dc