The National tribune., 1907-08-29
DANGER LINE.
(COntinud from Page Ii

France, but all over Europe. since the
situation is so acute that the French
cannot long delay action in Morocco
and Germany may take a course which
will involve war. 1t is now charged by
the French that the Germans are sup
plying the natives with arms and am
munition, and this is given color by the
capture of a German vessel carrying
large cargo of rifles. The French En-
bassador, Jules Cambon, has made
special jt drney to meet Won Buelow,
the German Chancellor, at Norderney,
and this adds to the threatening out
look. 1t is believed that his mission
was precipitated by developments in re-
gard to Germanys action which he will
strive to meet. Premier Clemenceau,
the head of the French Cabinet. has
been on a special mission to King Ed
ward VII, who is doing his utmost to
preserve peace, but the results of this
mission have not yet been made public.
The diplomats are optimistic, however,
arrive at complete understanding with
Germany.
In Rebellion Against the Sultan.
The situation in Morocco itself is
made still further hopeless by an open
rebellion against the Sultan's authority
The leaders claim that they no longer
owe allegiance to their ruler. who has
gone over to the Christians, and they
have set up two new Sultans, one of
whom,> Mulai Hafig. is the Sultan's
brother. Owing to the peculiar consti-
tuition of Mohammedan countries, Mulai
has much basis for his pretensions, and
he has already gathered around him a
formidable force with which the Sultan
is unable to cope, especially as what
few troops he has are in state of mu-
tiny owing to their long arrearages of
pay. They have received no clothing
and very poor rations. and their discon-
tent passes all bounds. Mulai's success
and the Sultan's impotence are held by
many of the diplomats to nullify the
Algeciras agreement and resolve things
back into their former condition It is
reported that Mulai is marching against
the French with a quite extensive force
and several cannon. If this be true il
Will precipitate the issue.
Frances Big Task.
If Germany can be induced to keep
her hands off. France will address her
self to the big task before her, and.
taught by her experience in Algeria,
will undoubtedly make speedy and thoro
work. She has an army on a peace
footing of sol, 900, with $4,000 Euro
peans and $4,000 natives in Algeria,
and can easily detach a sufficient body
to overrun the country. In Algeria
alone she has splendid troops Injured to
the climate, familiar with the conditions
of the country and with warfare with
the tribes, and who can at once enter
Morocco from that side, conducting
their operations with perfect success
Among these are four regiments of ma
tive rifiemen, known as Turcos, and
four regiments of Arab cavalry, Spahis
In Algeria's present peaceful condition
these troops are all free to move into
thair NIL tyx
being taken by troops sent from France.
Marseilles Toulon and other French
ports on the Mediterranean are only a
short distance from Morocco, and rein
forcements and supplies require only q
few hours steaming to reach the coun-
try.
1t will be a very different proposition
from the British war in South Africa
There the British troops had to meet
men of their own character and blood
who were at home in the country, ex-
pert rifiemen and horsemen, and armed
with the latest weapons. The British
south African war was something like
our war in the South. where the enemy
were men fully equal in stamina and
discipline to the British troops. This is
not the case in Morocco. The wild, un-
disciplined tribesmen will be annoying,
but not dangerous. They will hardly
dare TO stand up in the open against
FRANCES organized regiments, and the
lighting Will be more like our Indian
wars, with the Berbers, Kabyles and
Arabs lacking much of the courage and
physical endurance of our Sioux,
Apaches, Comanches and other tribes
which gave us so much trouble Beside
this, the country is pretty we'll known,
and the French troops will have little
difficulty in penetrating to any part of
II. The result can hardly help being
that France will Overrun the country,
bring it to the same condition as AL |
geria. and by inviting French immigra-
ion and enterprise make it. like Algeria. |
an integral part of France