The Washington times., 1906-03-11
PEROlCAR|S TALKS
ABOUT ALGECIRAS
Strong Military Control
Needed in Morocco.
LITTLE HOPE FOR CONGRESS
attempt of One Power to Dominate
Vita Small Force Would Be
Dangerous
LITTLE HOPE FOR CONGRESS

Ion PerdicaFis, whose capture and re
tention by the Moroccan bandit Raisouli
aroused the interest OF two continents,
talked Interestingly OF the situation
which now eonfronts the world congress
IN session at AIgeciras.
Mr.. Perdicaris lived in Morocco for
more than thirty years and his views
un the settlement Of differences affecting
the several nations come from thorough
knowledge Of conditions in Morocco.
In all the years during which Mr.. Per-
dicaris lived among the Moors he gained
their confidence and friendship to such
an extent that now he is regarded bv
them as one of the few men interested
in the settlement Of their affairs. who
VIII hear and sympathize with, and un-
derstand their troubles.
Military Occupation Needed.
Mr. Perdicaris speaks their language
and Is able to converse freely without
the aid of an interpreter, which nearly
every one is obliged to employ He has
long been on terms Of intimacy with
men prominent in political affairs of
france and England, and has talked
freely with these statesmen in regard 10
The Moroccan situation
Both the French and German plans
sacrifice the interests OF foreign trade
and OF residents In Morocco to the i'm
peratve exigeneies of the European sit
nation, said Mr.. PeTdicaris yesterday
afternoon. No seventeen officers as
sisted by thirty-twO nOn-commfssioned
officers of any nationality whatsoever.
either under the command Of French
or neutral officer, can effectuaIly main
tain order even In the neighborhod OF
the coast toRns
II the natives understand that France
has secured any mandate authorizius
her 10 exercise an exclusive or predorn-
lnant control. my conviction is that
there viii be serious trouble. With nv
experience Of the country. I do not be-
iieVe that II will be possible for France
TO anord any reasonable security to
foreign merchants or residents Of Nor
occo unless she lands troops at Tangier
and the other coast towns.
Fears French Radicals.
Ny fear is that the chamber of
DEPUTIES. where the socialist-radfcal
element constitutes q majority, may
never support any policy Of military
or even semi-military occupation.
For this reason I should prefer TO
see the conference fail and to revert to
the status under the Madrid convention.
since. unsatisfactory s this might be
either TO France or to Germany. the
lives and property OF foreigners In
Morocco would not be so exposed as
they would If the intense aninositv of
ali sections of native society. both Off
clal and non-ofhciaI, were aroused TO the
attempt of any one power to exercise
predominant control
Should the conference fail. Germ anv
would enjoy the utmost favor with The
Sultsn, and even with the more disaf-
fected element among his DeopIe
commercial concessions might be Sc
Hred, and the country then gradually
fpened. and its resources be develoned
tithout any general rising against
foreigners.
Speaks Their Language.
In my estimation. however. the only
really successful operation would be a
strong, immediate, military occupa-
ton"
Mr.. Perdicaris cOntempiates return
ipg to Morocco, but is awaiting the
result Of the conference at AIceciras.
He is closely identified with many
business interests there, and is deeply
sttached to the people. During his con
versation relative TO affairs there az
the present time, Mr.. Perdfcaris re-
ferTed occasionally to his capture by
the noted bandit, and told many In
teresting little anecdotes, showing the
peculiar types which he has met in that