Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27
REFORMS DEEMED
WISE IN MOROCCO
Special Cablegram to The Star.


PARIS August 26-The French memo
randum presented to Prince Radolin con-
stitutes a complete statement of the pro-
gram of reforms which France regards as
necessary for Morocco. This document,
which runs to twenty pages, makes no ref
erence to the organization OF the frontier
districts which were dealt with directly
between France and Morocco by the treat
les of 1915 and 1900 to 1902. These are not
questions to be submitted to the confer
ence. The French government leaves all
other questions to be submitted to the con-
ference, insisting, however, that no special
arrangements made before the conference
shall restrain the liberty Of appreciation or
the decision of the powers either in the po-
litical or economic field. AS regards mill
tary matters, the French program Is very
cautious. 1t begins with professional train
ing of the militia and rises by progressive
stages while seeking to avoid arouSlng the
susceptiblities of the sultan and the conserv-
alive elements. The Moroccan army, when
thus prepared, will become the natural as
sistant for purposes of reform of the police
and detective forces, 1t is urged. The
French note is equally reserved on the
question of the composition of the district
police forces. The responsibility for the or
ganization of these forces will be left to the
conference. Out of respect for the rights of
the conference this question has not been
entered INTO Dy the french government
The special situation of France in connec-
ton with this organization will be matter
for the consideration Of the conference.
i
The French memorandum is really divd-
ed into two parts-one relative to police re-
forms, the other to financial reforms These
two questions are regarded of primary
Importance, the questions of consulates,
concessions, public works, etc, admitting
of easy solution. AS to financial reforms,
the memorandum explains the French plan
for the regular collection Of taxes. 1t dis
cusses the question of the reforms to be
introduced into the collection of the GUS
toms. 1t insists on the urgent necessity of
insuring the regular payment of salaries of
officials and especially of the militia. The
question of financial institutions required
for the satisfactory working of the general
administration of the empire is treated at
length The memorandum was drawn up
by Quay Orsay specialists and the docu-
ment itself Is regarded as one of the most
important turned out IN several years.
X
A significant illustration of the amount
of confidence now placed In German assur-
ances is given by the Temps That journal
has published a dispatch from Tangier to
the effect that public opinion at Tangier is
disposed to credit the news of a German
loan, TO be employed partly in the construc-
ton of two coast defense vessels in German
dockyards, as also that German engineers
are to be intrusted with the preparation of
the plans for harbor works at Larache and
Saida. This news is thought to be all the
more probable as the Maghzen is said on good
authority, to have engaged to pay the whole
amount due to the contractors for the mole
at Tangier, sum of nearly $400, 600 year
after it's completion, which it would scarce
ly have done If 1t did not reckon on a new
loan. 1t is believed that this advance will
be made, not by German financial firm,
but by some individuals who have combined
for the purpose of reckoning upon the moral
guarantee of the German government. 1T
is felt here that we are being hoodwinked
by German policy, which, manifesting a
eonciliatory spirit in Berlin, continues to
supplant us at Fee by securing advantages
which nullify before the conference meets
our position in Morocco recognized in
the agreements concluded with England
and Spain. Certain diplomatic circles are
beginning to consider, however, that the
zeal shown by the German mission at Fez
Is rather maladroit in so far so some of
the other powers, put their guard by
Count Won Tattenbach's success, may come
to the conference with feeling that Ger
many's sole object Is arbitrarily to substi-
tute herself for France in Morocco without
advantage to any one else
X n
The doubt aroused in this country as to
Germany's real intentions Is already be-
trayed in an article in the Debats by M
Robert de Caix, who declares that the con-
ference will be the tombstone Of future
Franco-German relations. The correctness
and reserve shown by France in Moroccan
affairs and in the elaboration of the pro-
gram of the conference implies no prelimi-
nary remuneration of her. special rights. 1t
is one thing for France - to prejudice the
work of the conference by her attitude and
quite another to renounce the defense of
her position at that conference. This coun-
try has never con5dered that such renun-
citation. could form part of her policy. I'VE
cannot renounce the defense of special
situation in Morocco because we cannot
cease to be in contact with the state in a
region of Africa which is an indivisible
| whole geographically. and owing to its civil
L lzatiQn and the peculiar form which Ma