New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-15
POWERS SEEK TERMS
America and Italy ActiUe at the
Moroccan Conference.

Algeciras. Feb. 14-Yesterdays optimism re-
garding the outcome of the Moroccan confer
ence appears TO have been as greatly exagger-
ated as was Mondays pessimism. 1t must be
understood that one conversation will not suf-
fee to settle the Franco German difficulties but
it is the fact that negotiations are going on
with the same good prospects of success which
always have existed The Associated Press has
the best authority for denying the statement
emanating from Berlin that NJ. Revolt. the
principal French delegate, proposed that France
Spain and one other power shall control the
Moroccan police. On the same authority it can
be said that no Importance should attach to the
alterations of optimism and pessimism in the
French press.
The efforts of disinterested powers, particu-
larry the United States and Italy, have been
active in the last three days toward finding
satisfactory arrangement Of the questions of
the state bank and the police both of which
form the subject of conversations between the
delegates of the powers directly interested The
German delegates are fully aware of the fact that
France considers that control OF the police is
absolutely necessary TO her position on the
Mediterranean. The admission of that fact as
an absolute condition is necessary to the sue
cess Of the conference. and the disinterested
powers will seek TO find concessions IN other
directions.
The delegates at their session to-day exam
fned the proposed reforms in the customs OF
Morocco and the plans for the suppression of
the contraband traffic in arms and then adj
journed until Saturday No word was spoken
at the session concerning the main feature Of
the Franco German controversy. The Ameri-
can delegates. while optimistic. admit that the
prolonged inability of the French and Germans
to reach an agreement renders the situation in
creasingly difficult.
Ambassador White. head Of the American mis-
SIGN, has played the leading part in bringing the
French and German delegates into confidential
communication his idea being thus TO bring
about a private understanding before the issues
are presented at the sessions. IF private un-
Outstanding should not be reached. Mr. White
hopes that the open conference may find a So
luton He and the Marquis visconti Venosta
head of the Italian mission. and others have
discussed numerous plans. but not one Of them
has taken concrete form. owing to the flrrnness
displayed on each side.
Berlin, Feb 1.-THE situation at Algeciras
has again changed There is q possibility Of a
way yet being found to bring the German and
French governments into agreement, though the
nature Of the suggestions. which have been made
by neutral power not made public.
Washington. Feb. 14-An that can be ascer-
tanned at the State Department regarding the
reported intention of Ambassador White to sub
nit a proposition 10 the AIgeciras conference
which will be acceptable to both the German
and French representatives is that the Am
bassadors basic instructions look to the ex-
tension of his good Offices, whenever they can
be prudently offered. to prevent a failure of the
conference and TO reconcile opposing interests.
1t is believed at the State Department that
there is middle ground between the extreme
French and German views on which both par
ties may be brought together. and 1t is not
doubted that Mr.. White will endeavor to bring
this about if there is promise OF success attend
ing his efforts
Meanwhile. it is said, there is a better rea-
son for hope from the fact that the issues over
which the German and French are contendIng
just now are those toward which America may
properly be regarded as occupying a position Of
neutrality, hence Mr.. Whites activities could
not be questioned as being Influenced by self
interest