Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-01-25
The Moroccan Affair.

A dispatch from Algeciras, SPAN,
avs that the confidential exchan ges
now going on among the representatives
of the powers in the Moroccan conference
disclose the extreme difficulty of arrang-
ing an agreement that both France and
Germany would accept.
The ,erman delegates put forward tho
attractive principle of disinterestedness
and equal privileges for all countries.
The French delegates, on the other hand,
maintain that France cannot be disin-
terested. They affirm that having fol-
lowed an active policy in Morocco for
eight years, and having obtained numer-
Gus advantages, France should not now
be asked to take the same position as all
the rest OF the world.
France virtually enunciates in modi-
fed form the principle of the Monroe
doctrine in northwest Africa. She has
acquired aud holds position toward
Morocco that, according to her view,
makes equal political influence with
other powers impossible. On the ques-
ton of economic equality she says
dyes" but on that of political equality
she answers ono
Germany insists on political equality
with even more tenacity than she does en-
the question of economic equality.
The real struggle, however, is o7er the
noli,ical future of Morocco. France
would rather withdraw from the confer
ence than tie up the political destiny OF
Morocco by international control. WINE
this is not an authoritative official ut
terance it unmistakably represents the
feelings 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 real
ize that the current of the conference IS
against them because neutral powers,
such as the United States. lean toward
the idea of disinterested equality rather
than toward frances special geograph,'
cal and historical pafamountcy.
France, therefore, may strive f'r a
negative result, so far as political ques-
tions go, accepting fully commercial
equality and joining in the effort to
reach lust economic conclusions, bnt re-
sisting suggestions for the International
! cation of any of the public services OF
Morocco.
Germany will press for the interna-
ti,nalization OF the police. 1t should be
understood that this question of police
does not refer to the ordinary force for
the maintenance of local order, but, in
the larger sense, to the semi-milltary
BODY which is to exercise powerful
general control.
France still cunts upon Great Britain,
! Russia, Spain and Portugal, but her
earliest hopes, that the United States
would be with her, are beginning to
diminish.
Germany believes that her view as to
international control has been accepted
| in principle by the United States, Aus
! tria and Sweden.
The position of Italy is one of uncom-
mon perplexity. Italy naturally inclines
toward equality of privileges, and, be-
sides, she is the ally of Germany; yet,
! according to her secret agreement with
France in 1902, Italy gave up to the
latter country all her claims in Morocco.
France expects Italy, in consequence OF
this agreement, to side with her, but
Italy hesitates.
Belgium is noncommittal through lear
that either France or Germany will raise
| the Congo question into an international
issue after the conference if either should
consider itself offended.