The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-05
A FRANCo-GERMAN CLOUD.

1t has been a little less than thirty-one
years since the conclusion Of the Franco
German war. which ended in the crushing
defeat of France. the overthrow and abdi-
cation OF Napoleon III and the establish
ment Of the German empire. TIL declara-
ton Of war by France was on July 10. 1869.
In less than three months from that time
the decisive battles of the war had been
fought on French soil. and in the latter
part OF January following Paris surren-
dered to the Germans. From that time TO
the present the sting of defeat has ranked
in the French heart and a desire 70 get
even with Germany has been the domi-
nant motive of every French administration.
The external forms OF national friendship
nave been maintained. but beneath them all
the French desire for revenge has grown
stronger. II France ever finds Germany un-
prepared for war or can put more or better
loops into the field. the day of her re-
venge may come. but it is not likely to,
Germany will never be found unprepared
measure swords with her again the results
may be even more humiliating TO her than
were those Of the Franco-German war Of
1870.
In view OF the relations between the two
countries and of the fact that, notwith-
standing outward professions of friendship
they are watching each other like hawks,
some interest attaches to the following dis
patch in yesterdays Journal. dated Berlin.
July 3:
The Vossische Zeitung prints an editorial
declaring that under no condi-
| Morocco or the key TO the Mediterranean or
Gibraltar. Were either to be accomp-
lished.' ii says. France would drive Italy
| into the arms of the triple alliance and she
could shut out German ships in the Med
iterranean In time of war" This declara-
spired. and the whole article Is believed to
reflect correctly the views of the German
Foreign Office.
The declaration certainly is significant.
What may be called the Morocco question
has been brewing for some time. but this
is the first outward indication that 1t may
| become a cause Of war in Europe. France
controls Algeria. and has long desired to
add Morocco to its dominions. in order TO
gain control of the southern shore of the
entrance to the Mediterranean. This would,
to some extent. menace Gibraltar and
would practically close Morocco to the
trade of all European countries except
France. During the last year or two the
French policy in regard TO Morocco has
| grown more and more aggressive. The first
protest and warming on the subject might
have been expected TO come from Great
Britain, whose interests as the owner Of
Gibraltar are the largest. but instead of
that they come from Germany. The ~latter's
interest seems somewhat remote. but it
must be remembered that Germany now
has a powerful navy and 1t is Emperor Will
liam's pet ambition to compel recognition
of his country as a naval power. France
has gone too far and is too fully mmit
to the policy of acquiring Morocco to aban-
don il willingly, but the warning contained
in the dispatch published above is notice
that unless she does abandon it she must
prepare to reckon with Germany. If
France wants revenge she may find a
cause of war with Germany in the Moroc-
1 90 uracfiou