New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-19
MR. ROOT ON MOROCCO.
Tells House Committee United
States Has Only Trade Interest.

Washington, Jan. 16.-Secretary Root has dis
cussed with the subcommittee of the House
Committee on Appropriations the situation in
Morocco, the subject coming up in regard to
emergency funds for diplomatic service His
remarks appeared in the report Of the hearings
before the committee, made public to-day.
Speaking Of sending Ambassador White and
Minister Gummere TO the conference at AIge-
c-as, the Secretary said:
we have no political interest in the Morocco
conference at al, but we have trade interest"
ais not this conference more political than
comInercial?" asked Nh Littauer. to which Mr.
Root replied:
The ostensible object Of the conference is en-
tirely commercial. The political aspect of the
conference arises solely from the fact that there
are strained relations between Germany and
France, and II IS supposed that & casus belIi
may be found there That is the only political
significance il has.
NJ. Tawney asked if. in any political ques-
tons that arise, the United States delegates
were 80 participate in their discussion"
Secretary Root replied:
No; they have nothing 10 do with political
questions simply trade questions. They are
there with just the same interest that the repre-
sentativss OF any other country nave, IN seeing
that The doors OF Morocco are not closed 10 our
trade. Il Is the same thing that We have been
DONG n China think they Will look out for il
very well
Mr.. Tawney-Is there any danger, from the
iaet OF our having Representatives at the
morocco conference, Of foreign countries receiv-
Ing The impression that We are there for the
purpose OF participating IL political questions
uat may arise IN the conference?
Secretary Root do not think there is any
nc, no more than our having delegates TO the
Geneva Red Cross convention or delegates to
The Hague conference. Those things are going
% q me tIIne- This IS one Of the recognized
ways OF looking after ones commercial interests.
- Is AAely mat political questions will arise
mere Is z possibility that d conflict on some
commercial question properly arising may be
made q cause Of war between Germany and
france The conference relates TO provisions
l9f securing peace and order in Morocco-ques-
uoas OF policing; that IS 10 say, arrangements
Maicn VIII secure the protection Of the citizens;
VIC AVes ana property Of the citizens of all
countries are involved. II is our business TO look
eIIer the lives and property Of our citizens and
Shen they get into q half-civiIized state where
uae government Is not sufficiently orderly and
scEohg 70 protect them. why, we protect them.
!ust as we protect them in China, and Corea,
aha all over the world. so that the question Of
p'lclng Morocco is q question of accomplish
ile something that each country would have to
accomplish Tor itself unless some arrangement
~. 1Is MADE Then the questions of trade re
srlcuons constitute the rest Of the substantial
sun!ect matter Of that conference
SI 1aWney-QUestiOns of trade. then are in
auentaI 10 the main question, which I under
s.sno you to say is d matter Of peace and order
aug pohcing In Morocco.
secretary Root-That has a great bearing
upon IT, but there Is also directly the trade
saesuon- The programme for consideration is
- narrow, and nobody would pay any par
tEcuiar attention 70 IL If il were not for the
,sct tnat Germany and France have appeared
" oe on the verge Of having a row and It is
Supposed they might find something other
, slere 70 pick q quarrel about. do not think
they will, but
NJ Livings5on-If they do our agents are
mo- pound 70 participate in Il?
secretary RooC-They are specifically instruct
hat N'-iiS - ~
, Secretary FOOTE'S. they are specifically in
Sp9cted as "a that