Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-10-27

pered by cool breezes from the Atlas
which keep off the scorching winds of
the Sahara. Excellent marbles are
found in different parts of the sultan
ate, as well as gold, silver, copper. tin.
nickel, rock salt, sulphur and iron.
The forests contain oak, cedar of Leb-
anon, pine and other valuable timber
trees. In the valleys and the plain
all the cereals, fruits and vegetables of
the warm and temperate zones can
be cultivated. Agriculture is, however,
in a very backward state, and the coun-
try sometimes does not produce suf-
ficient wheat for its own demand The
area of Morocco is 3d. 800 square miles.
The inhabitants, numbering 1000, 600,
are Berbers, Arabs, Moors, Jews and
negroes. The Moors' are the ruling
race and control all the Offices. The
Berbers form the agricultural part Of
the population, the Arabs are nomadic
traders and shepherds. the negroes are
mostly slaves.
England has for many years had its
ubiquitous eye on the wealthy princi-
pality. Tangier, one of the seaports of
the sultanate, is rich city and the key
to Africa Its possession would secure
to Great Britain an ascendency in Med
iterranean affairs superior even to that
secured by the occupation of Egypt and
Cyprus At the present time internal
discussions and revolutions seem to JUS
tify foreign interference, and the direc-
tors of Britain's foreign policy some
months ago. delegated Hon. Charles
Euan Smith, z. c. b., to protect her
majesty's interests. The clever diplo-
mat is backed by squadron of men of
war and a heavy detachment of ma
rines. Those who have paid attention
to the squabble have probably been
wondering why the English forces have
not been ordered to occupy TanCier.
The explanation is found in series OF
dispatches which have recently been
exchanged between the foreign Offices
of the great European powers. From
these documents it is learned that
France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Aus
tria have finger in the Moorish pie,
and that each demands to be assured of
cut before allowing any other govern
ment to land troops.
1t is safe to assert, however, that the
autonomy of Morocco cannot be main
tanned much longer. The powers are
united in demanding the dismember-
like boys quarreling about an apple,
they cannot agree upon a division. Ita-
ly claims that, owing to geographical
reasons, she is entitled to the lions
share. France and Spain put their
claims on the same ground. Germany
demands large strip of the seacoast
which would prove very advantageous
in case of war with France, which al
ready owns Algeria England, with
her usual modesty. wants the entire ap-
pie.
Unless diplomacy succeeds in avert
ing a coup d'etat the Morocco en-
broglio, insignificant as it may now
seem, threatens to fire the European
mine. Any discrimination in favor of
Italy or Germany might be considered
casus belli by France, which has for a
long time viewed with distrust the ex-
pansion of German influence in the
Mediterranean For the sake of main
tanning peace, the powers interested in
the proposed division could well afford
to let England have her own way, but
the latest developments indicate that
John Bull will have to put his appetite
on ice.
The city of Tangier is the first point
Of interest reached by foreign tourists