New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-25
THE MOROCCAN ISSUE.
POLITICAL EQUALITY.
Efforts of Delegates to Satisfy
France and Germany.

france and Germany.
Algeciras Jan. 24.-The confidential exchanges
now going on among the representatives Of the
powers at the Moroccan conference disclose the
extreme difficulty of arranging agreement
which both France and Germany Will accept
The German delegates put forward the at
tractive principle of disinte resedness and equal
privileges for all countries. The French dele
gates. on the other hand, maintain that France
cannot be disnterested. They hold that, having
followed active policy in Morocco for eight
years and having obtained numerous advan-
tages. France should not now be asked to take
the same position all the rest of the world.
France virtually enunc:aJes in modified form
the principle of the Monroe Doctrine in North
west Africa She has acquired and holds a po-
stion toward Morocco that, according to her
view. makes equal political influence with other
powers impossible. on the question of economic
equality she says Yes" but on that of political
equality she answers mo"
Germany insists on political equality with
even more tenacity than she does the ques-
ton of economic equality.
The real struggle, however, is over the po-
litical future of Morocco. France would rather
withdraw from the conference than tie up the
political destiny Of Morocco by international
control While this is not authoritative
official utterance. it Enthusiastically represents
the feeling Of the French delegation. France
refuses to be excluded from what she holds to
be the legitimate expansion of her influence in
Northern Africa.
The French delegates appear TO realize that
the current Of the conference is against them,
because neutral powers such the United
States seem to lean toward the idea Of disin-
terested equality, rather than toward Frances
special geographical and historical paranountcy.
France. therefore. may strive for negative
result, as far as political questions go, accepting
fully a commercial equality and joining the eff
fort to reach just economic conclusions, but re-
sistng suggestions for the international control
of any of the public services Of Morocco.
Germany will press for the international con-
troll of the police. It should be understood that
this question Of police does not refer TO the or
binary force for the maintenance Of local order.
but 20 a semi-mtlitary body which IS to exercise
a powerful general control
France still counts upon Great Britain, Rus
sla, Spain and Portugal. but her earliest hopes
that the United States would be with her are
apparently beginning to diminish.
Germany believes that her view as to inter
national control has been accepted in principle
by the United States. Austria and Sweden
The position Of Italy is one of perplexity.
Italy naturally incInes toward equality Of priv
iIeees. and besides she is the ally Of Germany,
vet. according TO her secret agreement with
France in 1902. Italy gave M TO the latter
country all her claims in Morocco. France ex-
poets in consequence Of this agreement 10 side
with her. but Italy hesitates.
Belgium is non committal through fear that
either France or Germany will raise the Congo
question into an International issue after the
conference If either should consider itself Of
! Tended
The foregoing tendencies are the outgrowth Of
frequent private meetings Of the delegates. The
British villa is one of the centres for these meet
ings and the French and American delegates
are frequent visitors there. The American dele
gates have also conferred with the Germans and
the French. Their discussions with the French
delegates yesterday and to-day were prolonged
and earnest.
The conference, at its session to-day, accepted
all the articles of the committee on contraband
| relating TO the prevention of the trade in con-
traband arms, and passed TO the consideration
| of economic questions. The Spanish delegation,
| as previously agreed upon presented all the pre-
| lirninary proposals submitted to-day. The draft
| Of the convention for the reform of taxation IN
| Morocco contains no sharply controversial
points
The conference win meet in committee OF the
whole tomorrow in order 10 examine the eco
nomic plans
King Alfonso. replying to the congratulations
| Of the conference on his feast day yesterday
| telegraphed.
I pray God to render fruitful the work OF the
conference in order that the nations represented
| may join more closely the ties Of friendship
! that unite them and thus eficaciously contrib
/ ute to maintenance of peace and the prosperity
| and progress of the world.