Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-25
IN THE FRENCHCAPIT
MOROCCAN QUESTION THE ALL
ABSORBING TOPIC.
Uhe Invitation of the Sultan for a
Conference Makes No Special
Mention of France.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star
PARIS. June IT, 1905.
The invitation of the sultan to hold a con-
ference the Moroccan question at Tan
gier Is couched in somewhat vague terms
and makes no special mention of France
The document, after the usual compliments
runs as follows:
His shereefian majesty commands me to
Invite all the honorable powers to hold at
Iangier a conference in which their hon
orable representatives and the representa-
tfves of the Faghzen shall take part. in
order to treat of the manner of putting into
execution reforms which his shereefian
majesty has decided to introduce into his
empire. taking Into consideration affairs of
the moment and to consider also the ques-
ton of the expenses which the Introduction
OF these reforms Will Lecessitate We invite
you. therefore, to inform your government
or all OF the preceding words and to request
authorization to take part in the said con-
Terence. We ask you to let US have an
answer when you have received your reply
Given at the court of Fee 25 rlbfa elouI
1925 (May so, 1850.
''MAHOMED BEL Ell ARBI TORRES"
Viziers Opposed.
In the council called to discuss the invi-
tation the viziers. with one exception. were
opposed TO the invitations being issued the
notabies, on the contrary. being favorab to
II. The opposition of the viziers was, first
on the ground that they anticipated failure
me idea had been unfavorably received nv
france. England. Spain. Italy and the Unit
ed states when IL was first mooted by Ger
niany- no" then. argued the viziers, should
IL De accepted when put forward by Mo-
rocco? Secondly the majority apprehended
that the fact OF Its being suggested nv MO
rocco would indispose their powerful neigh
Dor. France. against them The sultan ap-
parently believed that 1t would enable him
to gain time. and that considera tion our
weighed all the rest
1t was Count Won Tattenbach who urged
me sultan 10 propose the conference but
that was not done till he had failed with q
previous proposal The German envoy had
sought by arguments. which II not violent
az an events exceeded the bounds of all
that Is customary In diplomacy to make
the sultan give him in writing formal az
surances as to the general treatment OF
germany In Morocco. Nor was IL suggested
that anything should be said limiting that
treatment TO the economic domain.
Germany's Intentions.
The conclusion therefore Is that Ger
manys intention was in given circum-
stances to extend that treatment to the
domain of politics. The sultan. however
positively refused to give anything in writ
ing and 1t was after this fruitless attempt
%
the conference scheme
On all sides 1t Is recognized that Ger
many must have seen in advance that an
invitation coming from Morocco would
meet with no response and this confirms
The general opinion to Germany's whole
Moroccan policy being a mere blind for
something else. The prevailing impression
Is that the primary object Is to detach
France from England the Moroccan diff
Guilty being simply means of pressure on
France in view of that end. This Idea has
taken hold OF some Frenchmen whose wide
experience of international politics and
friendship for England render their views
worthy of attention.
Upon this subject the Figaro publishes an
article by a well-informed politician who
says that all OF the trouble has come Mt
least so far as the sultan's attitude Is con-
cerned, from the stress laid here in the
pacific intentions OF France This has been
shown in public speeches and in public
prints.
Real Cause Of the Mischief.
The Maghzen was induced to believe that
France would never resort to arms and
this has been the cause OF the mischief.
The Figaro believes that firm warning
would have suffced. as the authority Of the
government Of Morocco over the tribes Il
too precarious to be allowed to risk any
oomplications with France. A mere threat