The sun., 1893-11-02

nand that adequate Almonds he made to
Spain by the Shereef OF Morocco for tho loss
OF life and outlay OF money to which she
has been subjected by his inability to con-
troll his nominal subjects. A pecuniary in
demnity the Sherecf can pay. for he Is known
to ;ave large amount OF treasure stored in
the vaults of his palace at Morocco. but 1t is
improbable that this will satisfy the Ma
drid Government, coerced. as 1T will be
by the unusually excited state OF public
opinion. The traditional and wcll-carned
hatred with which, for almost twelve CEN
turtles. tho Spaniard has regarded the Moor.
has not been so fiercely inflamed since tho
capture of Tctunn rs IL now Isl and no Min
istry would bo forgiven, IL 1t failed to seize
the present opportunity OF gaining con-
siderable concession OF territory. 1t is be-
lieved that the claims OF the Madrid Gov
ernment would be backed by the French.
who desire n westward extension OF their
Algerian frontier. and who look forward to
the eventual partition OF Morocco between
tho Spaniards and themselves.
1t Is here. of course. that the Morocco
question becomes one of European interest
and threatens to cause widespread compli-
cations. England has repeatedly declared
that il the Mediterranean and the Atlantic
coasts of Morocco arc to be divided between
European powers, she must have part;
and sooner than miss q share she would
defend the Shereef against aggression. She
would be content. perhaps. with Tangier.
which she possessed in the time Of CHARLES
H.; for this. in conjunction with Gibraltar.
would give her the absolute control OF the
entrance to the Mediterranean. But it Is
precisely Tangier and the contiguous ter
ritory which. in the eyes OF France and
Spain. constitute the most precious morsel
OF the Shereef's possessions: and this would
never be suffered to fall into English hands
without fight. We see. therefore. that the
moment n demand for territorial compen-
sation Is pressed. a demand that seems rea-
sonable enough in view OF the Shereef's
inability to control the Rif1ian tribesmen.
it will be scarcely possible to avert a COL
lision between England on the ono hand.
and Spain. backed by France. on the other.
In such an ENHANCEMENT. England could
easily secure the assistance OF the Triple
Alliance. by making certain reciprocal en-
gagements, and France could as certainly
count upon the support Of Russia. That
England would be forced to contract init
mate relations with the Triple Alliance
seems evident from the admission Of Eng
lish naval authorities that the combined
force Of France and Russia in the Mediter-
ranean at present considerably exceeds that
of England in the same sea.
1t will be observed that there Is some
thing like logical concatenation in the
process by which a petty outbreak in the
mountains near Melilla is made to appear as
leading to general war. If the first step
be taken. that is to say, II q demand for a
territorial indemnity. be pressed by Spain.
it seems probable that every other step in
the process would follow as we have in
dcated. AS to tho first step. it seems evil
dent from the present temper Of the Span
ish people that Seflor SAGAsTA will be sue
ceeded by his old Conservative rival. Se1or
CANovAs DEL CASTILLO. unless he forces
the Shereef of Morocco to atone for the
Melilla affair. not only by pecuniary in
demnity. but by q considerable territory.