New-York tribune., 1905-06-18
MOROCCO.

Efforts to magnify the controversy over Mo-
rocco into a casus belli will probably faii as
they should. The situation is perhaps an aWK-
ward and disquieting one, but it is scarcely TO
be regarded as menacng the peace of Europe.
1t is simply a part of great game of interna-
tional politics which has been going on FOR the
last thirty years, which has more than once IN
that time caused considerable anxiety, but
which has never yet brought Europe into meas
urable distance from war. At the present time
there is not enough in it to warrant thoughts OF
war. no matter whether we regard Morocco as
the real bone of contention or as merely pre-
text for some rather strenuous diplomatic
jockeying.
So far as Morocco is concerned, this is the
case: That empire having fallen into intoier-
ably evil ways. France, having by far the larg-
est interests therein. proposed to exert her IN
fiuenee at the Shereefian court for reform.
Great Britain and Spain, the powers next con-
cerned, cordially approved this course. and MO
rocco assented Germany alone objected, ana
her Emperor himself journeyed to Morocco to
make his objection effective. The Sultan OF
Morocco was thus persuaded by Germany to
withdraw his assent to the establishment OF
French influences, and to request instead. at
Germany's suggestion, a conference of all the
great powers upon the matter. To this france
naturally demurs and Great Britain is under
stood to support France in disappearing the plan
OF q conference and in holding to the original
proposal. ThereupOn Germany suggests that, IL
the powers cannot agree upon q conference, her
own influence be made paramount in Morocco
instead of Frances. So the case stands to-day.
There are, however, those who see in Morocco
q mere pretext for a train of diplomatic ma
nopuvres tending to enhance German prestige
at the expense Of that Of France and Great
at fl,a Of the friendly
approachment between the latter two powers.
No secret was, we believe, made of the disfayor
with which that approachment was viewed at
Berlin and more than one incident since has
looked much as though some influence at Berlin
were subtly but indefatgably working to undo
it Beyond doubt, Germany aims at a sort OF
paramountcy in Europe. That is an entirely
natural and proper ambition, especially in an
empire which is of all-saYe Russia-the most
popuIous, and which is so great in intelligence
industry and commerce. But great as she is
Germany feels scarcely able to dominate Euro
pean affairs alone or against an alliance. Either
she must herself have the support of other pow
ers, as half allies and half vassais, or at least
she must keep other powers from combining
against her Now the Triple Alliance is no
longer anything like effective as it once was,
and will not serve her purpose. Her secret un-
derstanding perhaps alliance, with Russia has
become of little worth since Russias defeat at
the hands Of Japan. An alliance with either
Great Britain or France is, of course, imposs-
BILE, and there is no other considerable power
left. There remains to her. then, the last re-
course of at least preventing Great Britain and
France from working together on lines which
may be antagonstic to German interests.
If such be the German policy, that empires
action in Morocco is easily explained, as Is also
her conduct in some other directions 1t is a
pretty game, and it is being played by some OF
the most astute and resourceful diplomats and
statesmen in the world 1t may it may not
succeed, but in either need not appre-
hend war. The stake really is not big enough
for that Besides, a war over Morocco might
involve alliances or corporations that would
not be at all to Germany's liking. Neither, as
it now appears, is there any serious danger of
estrangement between France and Great Britain.
The present controversy has evidently strength
ened rather than weakened their friendship
and that is something auspicious of good for all
the world