The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-06-13
Ole Messenger.
GERMANY AND FRANCE.

Since Emperor Williams visit TO
Morocco some months ago n his IA
nous speech western Europe has been
greatly stirred over what may be the
outcome of Gerniany's policy IN regard
to European influence on the south
side of the Mediterranean. The Kali
ser's speech almost amounted to a de-
fance of France and q declaration
against the extension of her sphere of
influence in North Africa.
The resignation of Delcasse, the
French minister Of foreign affairs, a
few days ago has intensified the sit
uation. His withdrawal from the cab
met was due to the fact that the
French cabinet would not stand by
him in his position of utterly ignoring
the covert demands Of Germany.
This Moroccan question is II of the
most intricate which has arisen in Eu-
0 p for some years. The clearest ex-
position of this matter which We have
seen is contained in an editorial in the
Columbia State. One who reads it
will get Il better understanding of the
present state Of affairs, which Ger
many may push TO the point of wal
with France.
Emperor William seems determined
that France shall not extend the in
fiuence she now has in north Africa
over the territory of the sultan of Mo
rocco. Germany is interested in a very
remote degree; but it is enough for her
to know that without her interposi-
ton her old enemy may erect a power
full colonial system south of the Med
i%terranean, extending from the Allan
tic ocean to the borders Of Egypt.
France has the assent Of England,
Spain and Italy in her schemes. The
question is: Are these three sufficient
~ interested to back France in her
contention with Germany! and another
is: VIII Germany risk enmity with
these three powers for the sake of
blocking France? We will see what
we will see. In the meantime there is
a fine chance for another war between
Germany and France. The Columbia
State gives us u fair insight INTO the
past and present condition in the fol-
lowing:
The resignation Of Delcasse. the
brilliant foreign minister Of the
French cabinet. will doubtless be in
terpreted generally as a victory. or at
least a point scored. for Kaiser Will
helm ana the German programme in
Morocco.
Delcasse, more than any other
statesman of France. represented the
policy of the peaceful PENETRATION
of northern Africa by the French.
The German emperor. or his recent
visit to Tangier made a truculent
speech. jntermeddline i'll affairs in
which the interests of Germany are
inappreciahle and remote. and SEEM
ing tC threaten to interpose between
France and the sultan. who q Drac-
tically signified his acceptance Of the
terms of France. These terms were
not submitted to the sultan by France
alone. but through her as representing
also England and Spain. AS France.
however. would have received the
greatest benefit from the agreement,
it may be seen that. while h kaiser's
victory. if victory it be. is unpalatable
to England and to Spain. it most di-
rectly affronts and INJURIES France.
If DelCasse's retirement is due to the
k~aiscr'S brusuue diDlon1acy-'shirt-
sleeve diplomacy the Germans call it
whzn resorted to by America-unda-
niabIy the Gerrnan threat of the
ssnaoi1nF iSt' no q ooio vi 4 n n1 fnr
the moment.
But has the kaiser won a definite
n permanent victory. even If We ad-
NIT thai he has Won at least a tenn
pora1y success? Doubtless the kaiser
regards the retirement CT Delcasse.
Germarys ablest foe. as itself a sig
nal Triumph.
The superficial situation is simple
nough to Morocco. n French
even as far as Timbuctu beyond the
Sahara. and having all along the
Mediterranean shore of Africa a
strong position. naturally wish to
possess the entire coast Morocco is es-
pecially desirable and coveted. They
have mad an agreement with Eng
land and Spain looking to his end.
France is to be allowed free cope, an
undisturhed sphere OF influence.
through which her peaceful pene-
tration' may a to the Atlantic on
the west and thus take into her hands
all of northern Africa except Egypt.
To this rrargemcnt. though it
COULD iniure Germany only in the
most remote and indirect way. the
kaiser objects. Just as The sultan Of
Morocco vas about to yield to the
three powers of the agreement he IS
heartened by the kaiser's remarkable
attitude and buster and now coolly
tells France he will submit the prop
Cs;tion of the three powers to an in
ternal conference.
The situation is admittedly awk-
ward Delcasse. finding that Premier
Rorvier will not ignore Germany and
proceed under the agreement with
England and Spain. n probably net
tied by the senseless outcry against
him q short time ago when the kai-
ser's definance was first made public.
feels that he has reached the end Of