The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-17
The United States at Algeciras

On Monday Mr.. Bacon, OF Georgia, In
troduced into the Senate a resolution de-
claring that the interference OF the
United states In any purely European
controversy Is contrary to the well-denned
and long-established policy Of this guv-
eminent. Specifically applying this gen-
eral declaration, he went on to argue
against American participation in the
conference at Algeciras. Despite the sar-
casm which tho argument ELECTED from
Mr.. Henry Cabot Lodge, we think that
the Georgia Senator's point was we'll
taken. NO good reason occurs to us why
we should deliberately involve ourselves
In an old world dispute with which we
have substantially no concern.
Few countries on tho globe have go
little interest for us as Morocco. Our
trade with that country Is 80 insignifi-
cant that statisticians have to lump 1t
with other unprogressive districts Of
Africa In order to get anything like a
respectable total. 1t is safe to say, how
ever, that 1t is relatively nothing. And
even this seems to be In no why ieopar-
died by any considerations now under
disute. A dispatch printed in our columns
yesterday, It is true, implied that the open
door policy was the German conten-
tion, but there seems no ground for
doubling. In point of fact, that France Is
no less firmly committed to that policy.
Equal commercial opportunity, we take 1t,
is assured whatever may be the outcome
of the conference, and our thimbleful
Of trade Is not likely to be in anywise
affected.
The same London dispatch announced
that Mr.. Henry White, one OF United
States delegates, would also support the
German scheme as to methods of policing
the country. But why? why should this
country support the views OF either
contestant, with the certain result OF
displeasing the other The real issue
which is to be decided at Algeciras is
simply that OF the comparative influence
OF Germany and France in Morocco. Sup
pose, as Mr.. Bacon suggested, that the
conference should be deadlocked on one
or more serious questions, and that the
American delegates should hold the de-
Gliding vote? 1t Is very sensible for us to
put ourselves in position to adjudicatc
between two great nations, with both Of
whom we enjoy the most amicable rela-
tons?
The control OF Morocco is OF virtually
H.,
conference should mean the wip!ng out
OF our commerce with that country, which
is highly improbable, nobody would be
a ppreclably the loser. On the contrary,
the outcome means good deal to both
France and Germany. To them territory,
prestige. future expansion. hang upon 1t.
Conceveably. though not probably. even
war may follow upon 1t. Our votes arc
obliged to be adverse to either one or tho
other and cannot In any case be es-
peclally beneficial to ourselves. The adj
imperialistic tinge appears
thus to have placed US in an unfortunate
position. as unnecessary as 1t must be
A few days ago Senator spooner was
quoted as saying that the American re-
were under instruction not
to vote on questions IL, which this coun-
try had little or no interest" Later
news, however, has been in conflict with
this. Since the sending OF delegates at
all has been regarded as desirable. we
are of opinion that they can serve their
country best by programme of nom
participation and discreet silence.