Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-14

country. This dominating influence over
Moroccan affairs was acquired by a short
war IN 1874, and it has been constantly
strengthened ever since. The French GOV
eminent Is represented at the court of III
sultan by several military officials vino
keep careful superintendent over his
governmental acts. He has no desire, how
ever, to deceive the French officials, as they
We're largely instrumental in placing him
on the throne, and he Is naturally some
what grateful for their past favors
Previous to the period of French infiu-
ence, England was also very active In Mo-
rocco. The English wished to control the
destinies' of Morocco so as to render their
domination of thu Mediterranean more
complete. Their influence developed for
some years, and caused the French much
anxiety. AT present an ex-otficer of the
English army, Sir Harry Maclean. is a
trusted military adviser to the sultan, and
is also In charge of the arsenal at Fee.
Until recently Scotch drill-master and
Gibraltarian engineer were employed by
the Moroccan government at Tangier. 1t
is interesting in this connection to note
that Capt. John Smith. who is famous in
the early history of America. served In Mo-
rocco before coming to the Virginia colony
In 1904 he visited Marrakesh, but became
disguised with the Moorish method of
warfare that he returned to England.
Interest Of Other Powers.
Besides England and France. other Euro
pean powers have endeavored to gain con-
troll of Morocco. Spain also made a strong
effort to extend her rule over and did gain
considerable political advantage, but her
position was not maintained. However. the
struggle for the control of Morocco was
principally between England and France.
Both of these powers were about equally
intrenched and mutually jealous. The stu
alton in Egypt identical. where the
English were supreme along the course of
the SueZ canal. while the French. under
COlOpel Ma rch IA nd " locq ad in EachOda
Finally the African question between France
and England was settled in 1893 by the
Fashoda incident. by the terms of which
France withdrew from Egypt and England
gave up all political claim upon Morocco.
This arrangement has worked eXcellently
SO far, and both nations have lived up to
the spirit as well as to the letter OF the
agreement.
For years France has dreamed of an i'm
mense empire In the northern part of
Africa, and her favorite political aim has
been to realize it. In the seventeenth CEN
fury the colonial ambitious of England and
France collided. with the result that the
French holdings were reduced to a few in
significant points scattered In various parts
of the world The Franco-Prussian war, In
1870 further hampered Frances colonial de-
velopment. but she has recovered from both
of these blows with marvellous rapidity.
Today France ranks as the second colonial
power in the world, and when her disas-
trous reverses are considered this record is
wonderful
The French colonial policy is serious
strain on the national treasury. The
French are not able to make colony pay
its own expenses, and every colony is con-
Quoted at a financial loss. Algeria espe-
cially has been an expensive enterprise and
has cost France a large amount of money.
However, the enormous cost of colonial
policy does not seem to discourage Frances
ambition in the slightest degree The Eng
fish are adept In the art of governing
that they are able to make their colonies
contribute part toward the support OF the
home government, in addition to paying all
their colonial expenses. but the French dip
lomats have not yet reached this degree OF
governmental skill.