The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-11
CHORUS OF PEACE
FRENCH GUNS AT MOROCCO FAIL
no DISTURB THE HARMON.

Special Gable Despatch to TEE SUN.

Special Gable Despatch to TEE SUN.
LONDON, Aug. 1O.-This weeks events.
especially the warlike developments in
Morocco. would ordinarily be regarded
as having an ominous bearing upon that
sensitive barometer OF he worlds des-
TIMES described usually as the European
situation. The Gar and the Kaiser have
met In prolonged consultation and nobody
has sven suggested that they have o
spired against England or entered into any
nefarious scheme for their mutual aggran-
dizement.
NOTHING. in fact has happened to Justify
even the most chronic alarmist to indulge
in gloomy forebodings. There are. Of
course. pessimists at The Hague who point
the impending failure Of the conference
10 accomplish anything practical and who
croak ~sardonically about the peace delibera-
tons finding an echo in the bombardment
Of Casablanca. They even pretend to
find something ominous in the sweet chorus
Of peace in which Berlin, Paris. st. Peters
burg and all the other capitals joined after
the French guns had ceased firing upon the
Moroccan coast.
Their grumblings can be ignored. The
diplomatic world is pleased. and not for a long
time has the outlook been more satisfactory.
Another strong guarantee Of peace will be
found in the new Anglo Russian treaty when
It is announced shortly. The Kaiser. who
is naturally somewhat spprehensive regard
ing this new element In international situa-
tons, was genuinely appeased and relieved
when it's terms were made known to him by
the Gar.
II will be found that the agreement is
virtually a self-denying ordinance on the
part Of both powers. II aims solely to re-
move friction in all parts Of the world where
English and Russian interests have clashed.
II noun in effect. to the browning work
Of peace in he great task to which King
Edward set himself on coming to the throne.
That task has now been completed 80 far
az existing conditions make it possible.
There remains Of course the An~glo-Ger-
man situation. which has been unsatisfac-
tory for several years past. There have
been moments when il was even strained,
but the tension Ia much less nov than a few
months ago. and still greater improvement
Is looked for as a result Of the meeting Of
the two monarchs during the coming au-
tumn.
In the light Of these developments the
comparatively DhTTcn rcouiOS VI 1ho -
conference need not be regarded as dis
appointing. Nobody in the real diplomatic
world ever expected much from such a
Heterogeneous gathering which met without
q programme and without rules OF pro-
cedure. All are agreed that future inter-
national assemblies must be constituted
differently and be conducted on a different
plan. The demonstration OF this fact il
In the opinion Of some a sufficient result Of
this congress.
The most hopeful sign Of the times is
to be found not at The Hague but in the
general reception by the rival Powers OF
the French action in Morocco. 1t is adj
mitted on all sides that il the present crisis
had arisen eighteen months G IL would
have created an alarming situation through
out Europe. Now even Germany Ia con-
vinced Of the good faith and unselhshness
Of the French policy. Her action thus
far has not only been absolutely correct.
but she Is quite genuine in her desire not
to embroil herself in Moroccan affairs to
the extent OF being compelled to conquer
the country. Her task easily may become
nothing short OF that. for all advices agree
that Moslem ~fanaticism is fully aroused
and the proclamation Of a holy war would
make imperative the s~ubjugation OF the
Moroccan empire.
Public opinion in France is unanimous
In support Of the Government in the action
already taken. IL is equally unanimous In
wishing to avoid the stupendous duties
which may be thrust upon the civilized