The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-01-14
THE MOROCCAN SITUATION.

The empire Of Morocco, an absolute
despOtism, has been in a state Of tur-
moil for many years past, owing to
the natural course of events in coun-
try unrestricted by any laws, civil or
religious, and also on account Of the
steady warfare which the sultan, Mu-
lai Abdel Aziz, has had to wage
against the prctcnders to the throne.
This caused a feeling Of uneasiness
among the Arab tribes in Algeria. the
adjoining French territory, and led to
efforts on the part Of France to as.
sumo a guardianship over Morocco.
Germany was not willing TO unresery-
cdly agree to this, being second only
to Great Britain in The extent Of her
interests i'm Morocco In 1892 the i'm.
ports Of the three powers into Mo
rocco were: Great Britain $G,21O00O.
Germany $IS5O.OOO and France $3.50.
oOo. The exports of Morocco to the
three powers In 1902 were, TO Great
Britain $2.999.O0o. TO Germbany $685.
OOo aud to France $1S5OOo.
France. pursuing her Moroccan pol.
icy sent special mission to Fez
last year. The German emperor went
still further. lie visited Tangicr March
31.19O5, on the imperial yacht Hohen.
zolern, but remained ashore barely two
hours During that time he made a
speech, of which several versions
were punished The substance Of his
maiesty's remarks, however. wa that
he assured the German residents that
the sovereignty and integrity of Mo-
rocco would be maintained The same
day the then French minister of for.
eign affairs NJ. Delcasse, made a mag
nificent speech in the senate at Par
is, during which, after referring 10
the sultan's weakness and the rnnr
chy resulting therefrom, "prejudiciaI
to everybody and especially to France
and Algeria he declared that re
sistancc in interested quarters
would not cause France to modify hei
policy" in Morocco. This sentiment
called forth vigorous applause
These utteranccs aroused both Ger
many and France and caused excite
ment throughout Europe, resulting la
ter in strained state of affairs anC
in the proposition to hold an interua
tional conference on Morocco.
France and Great Britain. April s
1904, signed an agreement by which
the latter in substance gave France ;
| free hand In Morocco in return for
free hand in Egypt and the settle
ment of the Newfoundland fisheries
disputes, Great Britain also agreed Il
support France in her Moroccan pol
icy.
But, In the meanwhile. VI. Delcass,
was compelled to resign June 8, 1905
after directing the foreign affairs o
France since June 2S, 1898, and Pre-
! mier Rouvier took the foreign port
folio. Subsequent developments show
ed that the change in the foreign OF
fee probably averted war betwee,
Germany and France, as the forme
country was pressing the latter yer!
severely, automatically
After considerable further fencinl
between Germany and France thes
! two powers ON July 3, 1905, agreed OF
the basis of program for the pro
posed international conference. an,
without entering into details Of th'
reforms proposed. it may be said tha
! the main and most dangerous poin
| to he discussed at the conference 4
the question whether France Is or i
not entitled to have a special an,
| privileged position in Morocco. Thi
| is the vital issue and the minor ques
tions, II has been pointed out, can b
adjusted once this point is defnitel
settled. Germany, II II understoc'
VIII seek to secure international con
troll Of the police, the customs an,
other matters. and an open door "a
| TO commerce,
On December Il the French gov
ernmcnt issued yellow Book settin,
forth it's side OF the controversy, an,
January the German goyernmen
published White Book. giving IL
version Of the dispute
--oso-
Senator MCLaurin of Mississippi