Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01
EFFECTS OF MOROCCO CONFERENCE

II a.
The conference ct Algeciras. begun tho
| 18th OF January. has drawn its slow length
through seventy Ave days
No Change OF feverish distrust ana
Of Policy doubt. until now we are as
/ sured that the END has
| come. and few days more and tha con-
| ference will have closed.
The changes OF government from Ba.-
| four to Zimmerman In England. and from
Delcasss to Rouyier and from Rouvier
| to Bourgeois in France, have undoubt
eddy contributed to the proiongation of
the conference by creating hope for
Germany that. first, the liberals would de-
nounce the Anglo-French agreement. and.
secosd, that the French ministers In turn
would change. as suspected anti-miiitarists.
the policy OF their predecessors and sur
render under the menace of war the spe-
cial situation of France In. Morocco In
each case these hopes have proved iliu-
sorry, but they have neverth eiess tended TO
thwart the object of the conference and
defer the conclusion.
On the 14th instant the ministry of M.
Sarrien. which succeeded that of NJ. Rou-
yier, delivered to the chamber the custom
airy declaration of Its policy. which was
awaited with unusual interest.
"As to our foreign relations" said NJ.
Sarrien, I'VE propose, notably In questions
concerning Our situation in the north OF
Africa, TO follow the policy of our pred
ecessors. and which but recently received
anew the appreciation of parliament. Fully
conscious of the rights and vital interests
which our diplomacy Is In duty bound TO
protect. we are convinced that the exercise
OF these rights and the normal Develop
ment of these rights can be assured with
out injury to those of any other power.
Like our predecessors, to whom We desire
to render full Justice, We have the hope
a n tv NJ th1f at
tude will permit the near and definite
rangement of pending difficulties.
FAITHFUL to an alliance of which France
and Russia show equally the beneficent
action and to the friendships of which we
have measured with certainty the loyalty
and the price, France holds situation be-
fore the world which affirms again the
spirit of Justice and peace with which she.
faces the divers problems placed by the
fierce of things before nations. That spirit
Will continue to be ours, and it Is for this
reason we will follow with confidence a
policy which serves equally In our eyes thu
cause of our country and that of the peace
OF the world"
In this conference at Algeciras Germany
has Systematically opposed all the PROPOSE
tons submitted by France.
Systematic NJ. de Bulow said on June
on,,osi+;o, 10. 1905, to the French
amba dor: The con-
ference will permit Morocco to satisfy the
legitimate desires of France" On the 23d
of June he said: IF you accept the confer
enoe the imperial diplomacy Will adopt. In
Interior negotiations, an attitude OF which
you will be satisfied These promises have
been forgotten. Why?
Has not France. in going to the confer
ence of Algeciras, treated with regard the
amour propre of Germany in furnishing her
a reason in which to proclaim that she was
no longer isolated from the Moroccan az
fair? Did not France declare before the
conference that she desired the indepena-
ence of the sultan, the integrity of Morocco
Has she not subscribed with Germany TO
the economical principle of the open door?
Now we turn to the mysterious question OF
the first moment.
What does Germany want?'
The language of the German plenipoten-
tiaries In the conference has been almost
always enigmatic, their proceedings dtsdain-
full or evasive, their delays indefinite. The
impression has been created that she wished
at one moment to tire out the patience OF
the conference, at another to annui 1t. After
50 many visits andvcaba4s $50 many notes
and cross-Iiotes, the conference decided to
study the question of the police and the
bank conjontly. When the vote was taken
AustrfaSand Morocco only rallied to the side
of Germany 1t was manifestly j defeat for
the latter, and by whatever solution of the
questions before the conference Germany
might be given other consultations, they
would inevitably be accorded gratuitously to
save the face of Germany and thus protect
the peace of Europe.
France. by her spirit of conciiation. has
attracted the sympathies of the world.
Spain has definitely Joined her cause. Italy
is in perfect accord and agreement. Russia
is faithful to her ally. The United States is
neutral, but sympathetic, and finally Eng
land is loyal and stands with France be-
cause her interests bind her indissolubly for
common defense against the one power in
Europe which would dominate the world.
Is 1t probable. with such coalition. that
the German emperor-the German govern
ment-would undertake war?
Is War 1t may be answered that
Oasiresp when war was decided upon In
principle Russia was hors du
combat ana is still i'll prepared to engage
In another campaign. England. too, accord
ing to the confession of Lord Roberts, al
ready quoted, is as little prepared for war
as it was in 1880. II is true Lord Roberts
affirmed his belief that 'the British navy is
absolutely capable of meeting any eventu-
atty" 1t is TO be remarked that the affir-
nation is one of belief only, which may be
a weak assertion that conceals a fear or a
doubt that the navy is not up to the mark
Nor would Germany go to war with France
without the perfection OF her artillery
which are told Is to be completed within
the next six months.
There is a political preparation in which
Germany is already engaged not under the
guidance this time of the foreign affairs
office, but under the direction of the Ger
man general staff. The Temps of Paris of
the 18th instant contains an article on the
subject of the state of mind In Morocco:
THE morning after the visit of William II
to Tangier the representative of Makhzen
at Oudjda received an order to cease ali
friendly relations with the French authori-
ties. Three weeks thereafter the amel of
Figuig received letter from the pacha of
Tangier directing the people of Zenega who
the night before had given the French evil
dence of their absolute fidelity, mot to COM
promise themselves with the French. the
hour was nigh when the Germans would re-
place them Since then incidents of a like
character have multiplied Recently the
pacha of Tangier wrote again to the amel