Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-13
NOR OCCAN AFFAIR
CONFERENCE FOR ARBITRATINa
DIFFERENCES OF FRANCE
AND GERMANY
Empire Is An Absolute Despotism and
Has Been In State OF Turmoil for
Many Years-course Of Events I'm
restricted by Any Laws.

IL view VI lu6 lulGTudIlOHal CONFER
ence soon to be held for the purpose
OF effecting an amicable settlement if
possible regarding the affairs of
France and Germany in Morocco, the
following brief history of the Moroc-
can affairs prepared by a representa-
tive Of the Associated Press will be of
interest.
The Empire Of Morocco, an abso
lutte despotism, has been in a state OF
turmoil for many years past, owing to
the natural course of events in a
country unrestricted by any laws, civ
II or religious, and also on account OF
the steady warfare which the sultan
Mulai Abd-el-Aziz, has had to wage
against the pretenders to the throne
This caused a feeling of uneasiness
among the Arab tribe in Algeria, the
adjoining French territory and led to
efforts on the part of France to as
sumo guardianship over Morocco
Germany was not willing to unreserv.
eddy agree to this, being second only
to Great. Britain in the extent of her
interests in Morocco. In 1902 the i'm
ports Of the three powers into Nor
COCO were Great Britain. $6,210, 600
Germany $1,S50,000 and France $780,.
600. The exports Of Morocco to
the three powers in 1902
were to Great Britain, $4,000.
600, to Germany $535,00O and to
France $7S5,000. France, pursu-
ing her Moroccan policy, sent
special mission to Fez last
year. Germany and Great Britain did
the same. The German emperor went
still further. He visited Tangier
March 81, 1905, on the Imperial yacht
Hohenzollern but remained ashore
barely two hours. During that time,
he made a speech of which several
versions were published. The sub
stance of His Msiesty's remarks, how
ever, was that he assured the German
residents that the sovereignty and in.
tegrity of Morocco would be main
tanned. The same day the then
French minister of foreign affairs, M
Delcasse, made significant speech in
the senate at Paris during which after
referring to the sultan's weakness and
the anarchy resulting therefrom,
'prejudicial to everybody and espe.
cially to France and Algeria" he de.
clared that resistance in interested
quarters would not cause FRI to
modify her policy" in Morocco. This
sentiment called forth vigorous ap-
plause.
These utterances aroused both Ger
many and France and caused excite.
ment throughout Europe, resulting lat
-er in a strained state of affairs and in
the proposition to hold an information
81 conference on Morocco.
4, France and Great Britain April s.
1904, signed an agreement by which
the latter in substance gave France a
free hand in Morocco in return for a
free hand in Egypt and the settlement
of the Newfoundland fisheries dis.
putes, Great Britain also agreed to
support France in her Moroccan poll.
cy.
But, In the meanwhile, M. Delcasse
was compelled to resign June 6, 1905,
after directing the foreign affairs OF
France since June 49,, 1898, and Pre-.
mier Rouvier took the foreign port.
folio. Subsequent developments show.
ed that the change in the foreign of.
fee probably averted war between
Germany and France as the former
country was pressing the latter very
severely, automatically.
After considerable further fencing
between Germany and France those
two powers on July 8, 1905, agreed on
the basis of a program for the pro.
posed International conference and
without entering into details of the
reforms proposed it may be said that
the main and most dangerous point
to be discussed at the conference is
the question whether France is or is
not entitled to have a special and
privileged position in Morocco. This is
the vital issue and the minor ques-
lions, it has been pointed out, can be
adjusted once this point is definitely
settled Germany, 1T is understood,
will seek to secure international con
troll of the police, the customs and 9th
er matters, and an "open door" as to
commerce.
On December Ia, the French gov
eminent issued a Yellow Book setting
forth its side of the controversy and
January the German government
published a white book giving it's
version of the dispute.
Hot water bottles. 75c, $1.00, $1.25.
Sargent's.