The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-03
More About Algeciras.


More About Algeciras.
Later Advices from Europe appear to
substantiate the view that y lionors at
Algcciras nret by no means 80 uneven as
some observers have been led TO believe.
France Is far from, regarding the OUTCOME
Of the conference as a complete diplomat
ic triumph for herself. A dispatch from
Paris OH Sunday states that official cir
Giles there consider that the Republic has
s, cured "a fair degree of success on the
principal questions" but recognize that
'.neither FRANCE nor Germany has Sc
o,lred all that was wanted.
In our opinion this Is a much more In
teligcnt summary Of the situation than
that which views Germany as cha
grincd, Inundated and defeated ut all
points Even If we doubt the cendor OF
the Kniser's assertion that he wanted
/ no concessions or benefits Of Morocco, tJut
|gonly International recognition OF the Sui
tan's sovereignty and the ''open door,
It is difficult to believe that he actually
harbored aspirations lofty enough to make
tho event very serious disappointment to
him. AS 1t was, he undoubtedly met
with Il partial SUCCESS In his desire to
internationalize Morocco and to obstruct
Frances ambition for exclusive police
power at the ports It seems certain
that the latters designs regarding the
GRADUAL absorption or, rs the diplonatists
moro considerably put It, the peaceful
penetration" Of Morocco, must now be
Indefinitely pos tponed. France, in short, is
considerably worse of In this sphere Of
her foreign activity, than she would
have Eecn II Germany had not forced tho
conference
II tho Kaiser has been able to do this,
willie coincidently emphasizing the fact
that Germany must llencoforth be
reckoncd ms conspicuous factor III the
field OF world politics and that her al
legged Isolation Is more fancled than
real, 1t seems somewhat exaggerated TO
picture him as utterly Inundated BY the
results OF the conference &
Speaking OF Algeclras, VIC have noted
with interest that those papers which
maintained that the United States was
merely exercising its due function in TAX
ing a hand there, are now heartily con
graduating themselves on the theory that
tho results of that convention have more
than sustained their contention. We con-
fcss to Il somewhat hazy apprehension Of
the precise ground for these jubilations.
The outcome of the conference has no
bearing whatever, II our view be correct,
upon the principal at issue. .rS he yfact
that we emerged from 1t without getting
into trouble, ana even we are told, with
flying colors, in no sense establishes the
point that we were perfectly right to
SO into It. Matters OF this sort are to
be determined by principle and not by
tho course OF events. TO regard the mat
ter otherwise, is merely to reach tile
conclusion that any sort Of activity Of a
dubious justification Is perfectly proper,
provided that 1t turns out all right"
For our part, we shall subscribe to no
SuCN uOClFlHe. aerNE luot ills
government was better out OF this Euro
rean contest TO determine the fate OF a
weak ncighborng country, and nothing
has come to our notice to lead us TO
modify our opinion. It Is this country's
first duty to mind its own business and
further its own interests. We had moth
Ing whatever 10 gain at Algeclras, and
a good deal to loso. Entirely lacking po-
litical aud commercial interest In the
question to be decided there, we certainly
had not the incentive which led Cavour
to present himself at the Congress OF
Paris in 1856, namely; the attainment OF
international recognition. We have all
the recognition OF that sort that we need,
.The rolc OF general pacncator and
ever-ready adjuster OF disputes to the old
world seems very pleasant and credtablc
as long as It works out well. II Ut
should ever involve us in trouble, ms It
not npossibly might We should no
doubt find somewhat fewer upholders Of
that policy. than now appear to be IN
evidence,
! .. MI 4. i "