The Springfield herald., 1906-01-12
MASSINC ARMIES
FOR POSSIBLE WAR BETWEEN
GERMANY AND FRANCE.
OVER MOROCCO SITUATION
Trouble Feared at Approaching Con.
ference-Ameriea Expects to Take
Leading Part In Settling Matters
Affecting Trade Interests.

ference-America Expects to Take
Leading Part In Settling Matters
Affecting Trade Interests.
Washington.-Neith the American
ambassador to France nor the like
official at Berlin could treat OF the stu
alton which now exists between
France and Germany in any report
which could be published here without
involving him in trouble. But 1t is be
lieved the explanation of this last Ger
man move is to be found in the fact
that last July, when the Morocco situa-
tion developed an acute phase, the
French general statf discovered the en-
tire army. and especially the transpor-
tatiop facilities, were not in a condi-
ton justifying France in adopting an
aggressive attitude. So the negotia-
tions suddenly assumed mild tone
and have dragged along up to this
time. Meanwhile the general staff
went to work with great assiduity to
correct the evils which had developed,
with the result that within the last ten
days 1t was discovered that In the
opinion of military experts the French
army is in better condition than at any
period in its history. The weakest
point last summer was discovered to
be in the mobilization, and thls has
been strengthened SO that the vast
bodies of troops can be collected at
the popular centers and transported to
the frontier posts in an incredibly
short period of time.
II is believed here by officials who
have kept close watch on the situation
that the Germans have likewise been
quietly, and, rs far as possible, increas-
ing the efficiency of its army. But
when the internal resources failed In
the matter of producing a sufficient
number of railway cars, and 1t became
necessary for the German government
to go to foreign countries for the
needed supply, 1t was patent that such
an order could not be concealed. So to
make the best of the situation this
news of the placing of the vast order
for transportation material was boldly
announced from Berlin as an answer
to the French unofficial statement as
to the preparedness of France for mill
tary action.
AS to the part the United States is
to play in the approaching Moroccan
conference, 1t may be stated on the
best of authority that Messrs. White
and Gummere. the American delegates,
will go into the conference absolutely
uncOmmltted TO eltner the FTencn OF
the German contentious. The govern
ment's view is that America has. by
virtue of her ancient interest In Mo-
rocco, rights even superior to those OF
any European state in deciding the
critical questions which will come be-
fore the conference. The basis OF this
statement is that America, single
handed, made war upon the Barbary
StateS wiped out Diracy in Mcditer-
ranean waters and concluded the first
treaty of any civilized nation with
those states, a treaty which has
formed the basis of the demand of
every other nation for favored nation
treatment at the hands of Morocco. So.
from considerations such as the per-
petuation of the open door and fair
trade for all in Morocco, the United
States government feels that 1t has
right and duty to participate in this
important conference.