Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-21
TROUBLE FEARED
AMONG POWERS
FEELING OF DlSTRUST AT
CONFERENCE
Disturbance of Peaceful Conditions
Due to Unwillingness Of France
and Germany to Define
Positions
~ Associa ted Press.

By Associated Press.
ALGECIRAS, Spain, Jan. 20.-Behind
the screen of amiability that envelops
the relations of the ENJOYS Of the pow
ers to the Moroccan conference a ris-
ing feeling of distrust is observable,
due, seemingly, to the unwillingness of
both France and Germany to define
their positions beyond reaffrming some
what weariSOmely their adherence to
the open door, the sovereignty of the
sultan and the integrity of his terri
tories The French delegates in all their
conversational reconnaisances with
their proponents have been unable to
learn precisely what is the position of
Germany, nor apparently have the
German representatives been able to
ascertain the joint intentions Of France
and Great Britain. Extreme caution
and lack of confidence have begun to
destroy the favorable atmosphere for
negotiations which was created by the
courtesies and assurances of the first
days. There is a feeling among the
ambassadors of the less Interested pow
ers that trouble is in sight. The Mo-
roccan delegates have become conscious
Of this and take satisfaction therefrom.
The earnestness of the Moroccan
delegates over the urgency for foreign
prevention of contraband trade in arms
amuses the Morocco specialists in the
conference, as the son of Mohamed Ell
Torres, head of the Moroccan mission,
has grown rich out of the Illicit traffic
in arms and several other persons of
the sultans court are engaged in this
business. Struggled cartridges are said
to be sold regularly along the coast
and cast iron rifles are specially made
for the African trade at Sc apiece.
The delegates are beginning to show
signs of wearlness of the limited di-
versions of the village, and therefore
they welcome the announcement of q
bull fight January 2S, in which three
noted matadors will participate.
The committee examining on the
question of contraband has completed
the draft of an agreement which will
be submitted to the conference Mon
day. The agreement, while temporarily
solving this question, seems purposely
framed to defeat the main issue be-
tween France and Germany. The draft
provides that the various powers pass
laws prohibiting their citizens export
ing arms to Morocco, and the coast
patrol against contraband is restricted
to Morocco's territorial waters, thus
avoiding the search or seizure of YES
sells upon the high seas
1t Is apparent that the theory of the
agreement is that Morocco will ad-
minister the coast patrol but the draft
does not state who will be charged
with this duty, and therefore the deli
cate F'ranco-German controversy con-
cerning whether France alone or all
the powers will exercise surveillance
will be deferred until the question OF
police has been examined. Copies of
the agreement are being printed for
distribution to the delegates prepara-
tory to discussion Monday. AS Ger
many and France are both represented
on the committee the agreement of
France to the draft seems to insure
the acceptance of the plan of the
conference. Both sides express out
ward satisfaction, the Germans ap-
pearing to consider this another step
in declaring Frances exercise of any
special surveillance or authority in
Morocco.