The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-04-08
DECLARES FOR OPEN DOOR in
MOROCCO.
Exact Attitude is Outlined to This
Government for the Purpose OF
r0reStalling Rum0rS-pr0p0Sed
to rlaintain Open Door to All
Trading Nations.

Berlin, the OoTmau am UdeSdUOI y0SC0I.
day called at the war department. upon
Secretary Taft. whom the president
before leaving designated as the cabi-
net officer with whom the ambassadors
should confer, and in the name Of the
German emperor, left with the score
tary brief memorandum setting forth
the Moroccan policy which Germany
has all along pursued, and from which
she does not intend to be swerved.
In substance, the memorandum,
which is couched in the most explicit
language, announces that Germany
stands for the ''open door" in Morocco
no less firmly than in the far East, for
the preservation of the Moroccan status
quo and for the safeguarding and pro-
lection of the commercial and trade
interests in Morocco not only Of Ger
many but Of all the trading nations of
the world.
Preservation of Open Door.
After presenting the memorandum
the secretary and the ambassador had
q brief conversation on the subject of
Morocco, Baron Sternberg calling at
tention to the commercial importance
of that country to the trading nations
and emphasizing the international i'm
portance in Germany's opinion Of the
preservation there of the "open door. "
The secretary thanked the ambassa-
dor for his explicit statement Of the
German policy and promptly forward
ed the memorandum to President Roos-
evelt.
In comforting with Secretary Taft
the German ambassador was acting
upon suggestion made to him when
he called at the White House last week
to say good by to the president. The
president then took occasion to say to
the German envoy as he had said to
the other ambassadors that they we're
to communicate with him through Sec
rotary Taft upon matters warranting
his consideration.
Secretary Taft, while expressing in
terest in the emperor's views, refrained
from committing this government on
the subject, nor did the ambassador in
any way endeavor to sound him as to
the presidents attitude. There is no
request in the German note for a state
ment of the Washington governmental
position, and one reason for it's presen-
tation, at this time was the circulation
in Europe Of sensational reports about
the German emperor's visit to Tangier
and the German attitude toward Mo-
rocco.
Germany Not Pleased.
Although France is not mentioned
in the memorandum, it can be stated
that Germany regrets that she was not
officially advised of the new position
in Morocco contemplated by Great
Britain and France, which was later
disclosed in the treaty signed last
spring, in which the London govern
ment referred to the superior interest
Of France in Morocco. Germany holds
that her interests in Morocco are in
every respect equal to those Of Great
Britain, and the Establishment by any
power there Of special sphere of in
fuence would be deplored in Berlin.
Regarding the emperor's visit to
Tangier, although 1t was in the line of
his cruise in the Mediterranean, the
object Of his address was, it is asserted
by high authority, to impress the Mo-
roccans with the seriousness of Ger
many's desire that the status quo
should be maintained and that the
principle of the ''open door, laid
down by Secretary Hay with reference
to China should be strictly adhered to
in Morocco.
Although Secretary Taft was not 90
informed, nor does his memorandum
indicate it. it is believed here that
similar statement Of Germany's view
may have been addressed to st. Peters
burg and Madrid.