The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-03
The situation In Morocco and the
Algeciras Treaty.

AIBec1ras treaty.
The anarchy that reigns In the neigh
borhood Of Tangier bears witness to the
necessity Of the arrangement for the
international policing Of Moroccan sea-
ports that was made at the Algeciras
Conference. The treaty embodying those
arrangements does not become opera
tive, however, until February 1, and it is
In order 70 provide immediate protec-
ton for foreign residents that Spanish
and French war vessels have been sent
to Tangier, where In ase Of need ma
rines and sailors may be landed. II
would not be surprising il a violent col
lision between European soldiers and the
natives of Morocco should occur before
the treaty, to which the United States
was a s~ignatory, comes up in the Senate
for ratification. The agreement made
at Algeoiras provided that an announce
ment of the ratification OF the treaty
must be made by each signatory by
December 81. Is IL likely that the treaty
will be ratified by the Senate during the
brief period between December IL, the
date fixed at the last session for consid-
ering the subject, and the adjournment
for the holidays?
There are two questions which ought
to be, and doubtless will be, distinguished
during the debate on ratification: First,
Is the establishment Of an international
police for the Moroccan seaports expe-
dient7 Secondly, Should the United
States become a party to an international
agreement to that end? The first ques-
ton will, Of course, be answered unhesi-
tatingly in the affirmative. The plan
originally proposed by France, England
and Spain for maintaining order or the
s~eacoast and the eastern frontier of
Morocco having been renowned In o
sequence Of Germany's refusal to ap-
prove Of it, the method recommended
by the Algeciras Conference is the only
practicable alternative. The treaty, it
may be recalled, provides that in order
20 aid the Sultan in the organization Of
a permanent police Spanish and French
officers and non-commissioned officers, as
instructors, shall be placed at his disposal
by their respective Governments, which,
however, shall submit their designations
TO his approval. This police force,
which by the way was to be distributed
among eight seaports, was to consist Of
from 1000 to $500 men, while the Span
ish and French officers might vary in
number from sixteen to twenty, and the
non-commissioned officers from thirty TO
forty. This whole force was to be under
the supervision and control Of an Inspec-
~tor-General, who was b be a superior
officer belonging to the Swiss standing
army, designated by the President Of
the Swiss Confederation, but subject to
the Suloan's appreciation. The protec-
ton Of the western or Algerian land
frontier was properly confided TO France.
These arrangements are, on their face,
equitable and judicious, though there is
some doubt rs to the adequacy Of the
police force with regard to numbers.
As onlookers, interested in seeing the
peace Of the world maintained, and in
preserving opportunities Of commercial
intercourse with Morocco, OF which,
however, we have thus far made but
little use, Americans cannot but view
with satisfaction preparations for restor-
ing order and security in the Moroccan
seaports which are to be open to trade.
Does it follow that we should depart