The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-12
WHAT TT IS ALL ABOUT.
Cause of Strained Relations of Frnncs
 and fserraaanw nxrar MnrnnnO


 and Germany over Morocco.
 Washington, Jan. 4.--The Empire of Morocco. an absolute despotism, has been in a state of turmoil for many years past, owing to the natural course of events in q country unrestricted by any laws, civil or religious, and also on account of the steady warfare which the Sultan. Mulai Abd-el-Aziz. has had to wage against the pretend CTS to the throne
 This caused feeling of uneasiness among the Arab tribes in Algeria, the adjoining French territory, and led to efforts on the part of France to as- sume a ghardianship over Morocco. Germany was not willing unreservedfy to agree to this. being second only to Great Britain in the extent of her in- terests in Morocco. In 1909 tho im- ports of the three powers into Mo rocco were: Great Britain, $6.210. .000; German, $l.S50.000 and France $3S0.000. The exports of Morocco to the three powers in 1909 were: To Great Brit ain. $2.999.999 to Germany. S535,000 and to France $7S5.090.
 France. pursuing her Moroccan pol icy, sent q special mission to Fez last year. Germany and Great Britain did the same. The German Emperor went still further. He visited Tan gier March 31. 1905. on the imperial yacht Hohenzollern. but remained ashore barely two hours. During that time he made a speech of which sew eral versions were published. The sub stance of His Majesty's remarks. how ever, was that he assured the German residents that the sovereignty and in- tegrity of Morocco would be main- tatned.
 The same day the then French Min ister of Foreign Affairs. M. Delcasse. made a significant speech in the Sen ate at Paris. during which, after re- ferring to the Sultan's weakness and the anarchy resulting therefrom. "prej- judicial to everybody and especially to France and Algeria" he declared that resistance in interested quarters would not cause France to modify her poltcy'' in Morocco. This sentiment called forth vigorous applause.
 These utterances aroused both Ger many and France and caused excite ment throughout Europe, resulting later in a strained state of affairs and in the proposition to hold an interna- tional conference on Morocco.
 France and Great Britain, April s, 1904, signed an agreement by which the latter in substance gave France a free hand in Morocco in return for free hand in Egypt and the settle ment of the Newfoundland fisheries disputes. Great Britain also agreed to support France in her Moroccan pol icy.
 But, in the meanwhile, NJ. Delcasse was compelled to resign June 6, 1905, after directing the foreign affairs of France since June 2S, 1898, and Pre- mier Rouvier took the foreign port folio. Subsequent developments show ed that the change in the Foreign Office probably averted war between Germany and France, as the former country was pressing the latter very severely, Automatically.
 After considerable further fencing between Germany and France, those two powers, July 8. 1905. agreed on the basis of program for the pro- posed international conference and without entering into details of the reforms proposed, 1t may be said that the main and most dangerous point to be discussed at the conference IS the question whether France Is or is not entitled to have special and privileged position in Morocco. This is the vital issue and the minor ques- tions it has been pointed out. can be adjusted once this point is definitely settled. Germany, it is understood, will seek to secure international con troI of the police, the customs and other matters, and an "open door, as to commerce.
 December 14 the French Government issued q yellow book setting forth it's side of the controversy and January $ the German Government published a white book giving it's version of the dispute