New-York tribune., 1903-07-19


rectors. and was under the command OF a MAJOR
Salisbury. AS soon as ever the English au-
thorities heard of the matter they proceeded 10
cooperate with the Moorish Government IN
crushing the enterprise and an English warshlp
proceeded with Moorish officials on board 10
Cane JUDY where it placed Major Sphlspury
and his principal officers under arrest ana car
ried them off first of all to the jail OF the Eng
lish Consulate and afterward to that of Glo-
raltar, whence they were eventually releaSeo
after nearly two years of captivity
It remains to be seen whether NJ Leoaudy
will be able to secure the consent of the MooIl7h
Sultan and of the French English ana opaiilSh
governments to his retention of the territory
which has been seized by his armed expedltloh'
While it is possible that England, as well as
cnain might be induced to abandon all op-
nostion il is very doubtful whether the sultan
would be willing to yield in the affair. For the
establishment of such settlement as that
projected by Lebaudy would entail the I'M
portation of both arms and ammunition lot sdle
to the tribes in that region of Morocco VINO
being in an almost constant state OF revolt
against the Sultan, would thus have their hahds
strengthened. Indeed, one OF the prlhclpal
causes of the Sultan's anxiety to prevent the
creation of any trading stations on ms western
coast line is precisely in order to prevent these
0iSaffeCted
ammunition from foreign sources for use
against his troops. And il the Sultan ap-
peals to the French Government for assist
ance in dealing with NJ Lebaudy, it is prob
able that il will feel itself obliged to assume
an attitude analogous to that of the British
authorities in the case of Major Spilsbury. AS
l have stated above, the Information concern
ing this portion of Africa is extremely limited
What is known however, is that the poSslDlhtles
Of trade especially with the hinterland are
considerabI and that within twenty miles OF
the coast there is an abundance OF mlneral
wealth awaiting development and exploitation.
Moreover, it would be of inestimable advantage
to have this dangerous coast under the control
of civilized people. For at present whenever
vessel is wrecked there those who manage to
reach land are certain of either being muir
dered or else Of being carried off into the in
terror as slaves. Civiliz t on, N one word would
derive benefits from the success of the Lebaudy
venture and trade also, provided the powers
can secure from France an assurance OF the
'open door" and of equal trading rights for all
comers.
The Paris government has denied in the most
positive fashion all knowl DE and responsibility
with regard to the LeDaudy eXped ton, and vii
be doubtless guided in its dealings with him
by the success or failure of his negotiations
with the Sultan, and by the position assumed
by England and Spain. That Leb IUdy has been
guilty of a violation of French law in invading
with an armed expedition the dominions of a
monarch with whom the French Government IS
on terms of amity and Ietce cannot for one
moment be denied. His Pun sh1ent or reward
VIII be determined by his ultimate victory CT
defeat. Had ur. James n, colonel Frank
Rhodes. Sir John WilougAhy and the other
l., tIa Crl ,-rjI he
successful in oyerthroNing the Beer Govern
ment seven years ago, they would doubtless
have been hailed heroes. As t was, their
lamentable failure left the English Government
no alternative but to denounce and treat them
flibusteTs. After having been condemned
to death and TO terms of Imprisonment by the
Boer Government they were eventually turned
over to the English authorities for punishment,
and brought to trial in London, We're convicted
and fined and deprived of their liberty, doing
time in Holloway Jail, all the British half pay