Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-02-16
THE MOROCCAN CONFERENCE.
Subjects and Policies In Dispute Which
Il Has Been Called to Settle.

Algeclras is a little Spanish town Of
six or seven thousand inhabitants just
across the bay from Gibraltar. In this
quiet little place on January 16, there
assembled the Moroccan conference" Of
diplomats about which so much is seen
In the daily papers. to deliberate over
questions of international policy. Brief
ly the Moroccan problem is this: Algeria,
which borders Morocco on the east, is a
colony OF France. and the republic mas
had trouble during recent years in keep
Ing order along the boundary because Of
the unsettled condition OF Morocco and
the lawless character OF its wild tribes
For some time Finance has been attempting
TO extend her influence into Morocco
primarily to maintain order in Algeria,
and. secondarily to obtain influence and
trade in Morocco. BY the Anglo French
agreement Of 1904. France promised to
recognize England's exceptional position
In Egypt In return for a similar recogni-
ton Of her own exceptional position in
Morocco, In which country she was to
have free hand to influence the Sultan
towards reforms. Afterward this agree
ment was strengthened and complemented
by arrangements with Spain and Italy.
and as late as the spring OF 1905 1t was
understood that the German emperor
concurred In this arrangement
But soon after the serious defeats of
Russia by Japan In the Far East, the
Berlin government showed signs of dis
satisfaction in regard to Morocco. Then
came the German Kaiser's visit to Tan
gier, and his dramatic speech to the
German residents and some of the Sui
tan's officials, in which he asserted his
intention to protect German commercial
rights and the political integrity of Mo-
rocco. Following this came months OF
ective diplomatic correspondence be-
tween Franco and 90
ing anxiety lest the relations between
Paris and Berlin be strained to the point
OF actual war. But despite sensational
reports of the mobilization of armies and
fleets, both the French and German gov
ernments have insisted upon their pacific
intentions, and finally agreed to leave to
this international conference at Algeciras
(called at the initiative Of the German
emperor) the final settlement of the
question as to who shall hold Morocco in
Its sphere of influence"
All the great powers, including the
United States, are represented at this
conference, the American delegates being
Henry White, our ambassador to Italy
and 8. r. Gummere. our minister to Mo-
rocco. The first subject coming up for
discussion was the question OF contraband
trade In arms across the Algerian-M
roccan border and over sea from France.
Germany and Spain. 1t may be said In
general that Germany comedies the
special position to France, and that both
agree to and contend for the open door,
in commerce. 1t is simply a question OF
who shall be permitted to police the
country: Franco because OF the nearness
OF her Algerian colony, which is the
French contention, supported by Eng
land. Italy and Spain; or an international
gendarmerie, which is the German con-
tention, supported by Austria and some
OF the smaller European nations. A re-
organization OF Moroccan finances Is also
question which will come up for settle
ment.-[Review OF Reviews.