Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-25

would. as the writer argues, have pre-
vented this unfortunate affair.
The connecting link between Morocco
and the resignation of NJ. Delcasse. which
has thrown all Europe into ferment, ap-
pears to have been an article In that very
serious republican journal. LIE Temps. LIE
Temps Is a diplomatic power as news
paper. and when the minister of foreign
affairs was publicly denounced, hfs Mo-
roccan policy being subjected to scathing
review, it was foregone conclusion that
his official days were numbered. Not in
years has a newspaper secured so complete
q triumph In France. After the publica-
ton of this particular article 1t became evil
dent to all that the progress of France IN
Morocco had sustained an annoying check
and that If there was to be a scapegoat
the victim would be NJ Delcasse. And
that was precisely what did happen. NJ.
Delcasse was made the scapegoat and the
victim.
Delcasse's Diplomacy.
During his seven years in office NJ. Del
casse had secured widespread sympathy
and respect for France, his great and only
offense in the eyes of Germany. which pow
er has so materially contributed to his
downfall. The last coup de theatre at Fee
was merely the eliminating point Of
complicated situation dating from the Ger
man emperor 8 visit to Tangier 1t served
as a pretext to those members of the cab
met who disapproved of M. Delcasse'S
Moroccan policy and had resolved on his re-
tirement
NJ. Rouvier. the prime minister. had for
some time called NJ. Delcasse to account
on other questions of foreign policy. More
over. the prime minister insisted upon be-
ing kept au courant of the transaction of
business at the foreign office, which his
predecessor. NJ. CombeS, had never done.
Altogether there was friction from the first
between the new prime minister and NJ.
Delcasse, and there were several other
members of the cabinet who were any
thing but amicably disposed toward the
minister of foreign affairs. 1t was In con-
sequence of these dissensions in the cabf-
net itself that NJ. Delcasse resigned, and
not owing to hostile vote in the chamber.
Delcasse's Long Career.
The mere fact that NJ. Delcasse had been
so long in power was enough to render his
position the object Of formidable attack In
France seven years Is almost unprecedent-
ed for minister's tenure Of office under
the republican regime: but it may be said
that few foreign ministers under any re-
gime in France have had such a good &C
count to give Of their administration as has
NJ. Deicasse. When in June. 1893, NJ. Del
casse was Unexpectedly given the portfolio
of foreign affairs he had behind him five
years of active patriotic work for the CO.
lonial expansion Of France. And by treaty
after treaty, by understanding after under
man hegemony on the continent of Europe.
1t Is only fair to remember that M. Del
casse had to deal with an unfortunate COM
bination of circumstances which he did not
toresee. and which none Of those who now
blame him foresaw when his Moroccan
policy was initiated. He merely shared
with the great majority of his countrymen
the belief that Japan would either shrink
from war or would be rapidly and COM
pletely crushed by Russia. The course Of
events and the prolongation of the struggle
gave Germany an opportunity of which she
has taken advantage to encourage the Sui
tan of Morocco to resist and finally to re-
ject the French demands. That action on
the part of Germany was an afterthought.
The New Situation.
Her previous indifference to what went on
in Morocco gave to NJ. Delcasse no warning
Of the consequences that might follow
paralysis of Russia In Europe, which itself
had not entered into the calculation of any
French statesman. In the new situation
thus created II is probable that no supple
ness on the part of NJ. Delcasse could have
rendered 1t other than desirable that for
eign affairs should be placed in the hands
of some one less identified with the policy
which circumstances had superseded.
1t appears more than probable, more
over. that the changed aspect of affairs In
the far east has lent to the attacks of M
Jaures and his associates upon NJ. Delcasse
and his policies a force which they did not
possess before the war. 1t was under NJ.
Delcasse's auspices that the existing ALL
aLce between France and Russia was en-
tered into in 1898 and for his alleged pro-
Russian proclivities he has been unceasing-
ly assailed by the clique which acknowl-
edges the leadership of the fiery N. Jaures.
To any one acquainted with the character
of the French 1t is impossible to suggest
that any hint OF a lack Of fidelity to their
obligations could be discovered In the pres
ent attitude Of the French people.
But when 1t Is remembered that the
enormous sums OF French capital fntrusted
to Russia have been placed In jeopardy.
that Russia has strained the friendship Of
France by repeated attempts to drag her
into the conflict n the far east. and lastly