The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-21
TENSE FEELING
AMONG DELEGATES
Agreement is Reached on Con-
traband in Morocco
M0ORS CAUSE AMUSEMENT
France and Germany Still pistrust
Each Others Mofives-Bul Fight
Arranged Is for Next
Sunday.


the scene Of amiability thar envelops the
relations OF the ENJOYS OF the powers to
the Moroccan conference. a rising feeling
of distrust is observable. due seemingly
to the unwillingness Of both France and
Germany TO define their positions beyond
reafnrming their adherence 10 the open
door. the sovereignty OF the Sultan and
the integrity OF his territories The
French delegates in all their conversations
al "Reminiscences with their opponents
have been unable to learn precisely what
IS the position OF Germany nor appar-
erntly have the German representatives
been able to ascertain the Joint inten-
tons of France and Great Britain. Ex-
IRENE caution and lack of condolences
have begun to destroy the favorable at
mosphore for negotiations which was Gre
ated by the courtesies and assurances of
the first days. There is a feeling among
the ambassadors of the less interested
powers that trouble Is in sight The Mo-
roccan delegates have become conscious
of this and take satisfaction therefrom.
Moroccan Earnestness Is Amusing.
gates over the urgency for foreign preven-
tion of the contraband trade in arms.
amuses the Morocco specialists in the
conference as the son of Mohammed I'll
Torris. head of the Moroccan mission has
grown rich out of the Illicit traffic in arms
and several other persons of the Sultan's
court are engaged in this business. Smus-
gled cartridges are said to be sold regu-
larry along the coast and cast iron rifles
are especially made for the African trade
at S. a piece.
The opinion among those familiar with
Moroccan conditions Is that it makes but
little difference what the powers agree on
regarding the contraband arms trade. The
result depends altogether on the manner
in which the decisions of the conference
are enforced The committee ON contra
band of.,the Moroccan conference met
again today. The principal points dis
cussed were the question of the right of
seizure by the Sultan or by authorized
police and for the authority of vessels
carrying contraband to enter Moroccan
harbors The conference probably will
accept the committees report provisional
~ and lay 1t aside for final action. The
reform of finance of Morocco will next
be considered. Thus the conference for
some time yet will dodge the question OF
the organization Of the Moroccan police
which involves the vital issue between
France and Germany.
The delegates are beginning to show
signs of WEAKNESS of the limited diver
sions Of the village, and therefore they
welcome the announcement of bull
fight January %. In which three noted
matadors will participate.
Agreement on contraband.
The committee examining into the ques-
ton of contraband has completed the
draft of an agreement which will be sub
mitted to the conference Monday. The
agreement, while temporarily solving this
question. appears TO be purposely framed
u further defer the main issues between
France and Germany.
The draft provides that the various
powers pass laws prohibiting their citi-
gems exporting arms to Morocco and the
coast patrol against contfaband is re-
stricted to Moroeco's territorial waters
thus avoiding the search or seizure oil
vessels upon the high seas. II is apparent
that the theory of the agreement is that
Morocco will administer the coast patrol
but the draft does not state who Will be
charged with this duty, and therefore
the delicate Franco-German controversy
concerning whether France alone or all
the powers win exercise surveillance, is
deferred until the question of police had
been examined. Copies of the agreement
are being printed for distribution to the
delegates tomorrow, preparatory to dis
cussion Monday. As Germany and France
are both represented on the COMMITTEES
the acquescenoe OF France to the drafi
seems to assure the acceptance of the plan
by the conference. Both sides express
outward satisfaction. The Germans APP
pear to consider this another step in de-
ferring frances exercise of any special
surveillance or authority in Morocco.