Evening star., 1907-08-11
FRANCE, SPAIN, GERMANY, MOROCCO

The Joint action Of France and Spain In
the military operations at Casa Blanca, or
Oar Ell Be'da. on the west
AiSectras coast Of Morocco, is In
Aoraa-.,4 entire accord with the Al
geciras convention. The
franco Spanish note communicated to the
slsnatories Of the convention affirms posi-
lively that the authority and independence
Oh the Sultan OF Morocco will be main
famed The expression In the note:
any future measures are necessitated by
the situation, they will be communicated
to the powers" has created some criticism
IN tho opposition press in France LIE Gaul-
ois. for example. says: The position Of
France 10 difficult. for she assumes greater
responsibilities than ever. If England rec
ogn1zed Frances liberty OF action In Mo-
rocco In exchange for the renunciat tion of
her rights in Egypt. Germany will have the
right to protest should France exceed the
limits marked at Algeciras"
1t Is certainly to be deplered that the
Moroccan police has not been organised as
provided for by the Algeciras act and the
German press uses that argument to in
sinuate that the massacre at Casa Blanca
might have been averted had more energy
been employed In the establishment Of the
Franco Spanish constabulary.
Such. indeed, would appear to the casual
observer to be the case. But the situation
In Morocco is complex. France is con-
fronted there by three obstacles: the
makhzen. the pretender. and Raisuli. Be
hind the makhzen there has been, until now.
tho unmistakable shadow Of the kaiser; the
pretender Is an unknown quantity, while
Raisuli-well, Raisuli Is an exceedingly sus
picious character, and 1t would not be at
all singular II Ralsuli received advice in
his body snatching" raids from Germany's
representative In Morocco. knowledge Of
these facts has doubtless inspired the
French government to go slow in the mats
ter Of the police, as well as in the case Of
Raisuli In order not to precipitate matters.
1t IL too late to speculate upon the ap-
parent singular diplomacy which inspired
France to exchange her
Peculiar. situation in Egypt for the
r,h.,n. equivocal one in Morocco
When the story of the de-
sistance of France at Alexandria in 1882
and the abandonment Of her traditional
rights in Egypt is told. there will appear
behind the sultan then. as behind the
makhzen now. the same shadow OF the
kaiser. The memoirs Of M. de Freycinet
on this head will prove even more interest
ing that those Of Prince Won Hohenlohe.
Rasuli, who kidnapped Peroicaris and who
again become a central figure in Moroccan
affairs. Raisuli. 1t appears, has com
municated the following ultimatum to the
makhzen: Flrst-That he shall be made
tains comprising Fahc, which is in the dis
trict OF Tangier Second-that he shall be
accorded protection and immunity from ar
rest, and that these conditions shall be
ably Germany This latter condition will
confirm the general impression In France
that the relations Of Germany with Raisuli
are not entirely matters Of suspicion. =
The pretender, 1t may be repeated, - the
unknown quantity Of the situation. and has
either been ignored or neglected. Now.
however. he is heard from opportunely. A
cable from Melilla announces that the pre-
tender desires to profit by the actual state
Of affairs, and has sent q deputation OF
rebel chiefs to protest against the mas
sacres at Casa Blanca. The pretender has
given orders as a sign Of mourning to
suspend the fetes organized to celebrate
his victories over the sultans army. He
declares that he is disposed to cooperate
with all measures which Europe may adopt
to amehorate the condition in Morocco.
France and Spain should seize the present
opportunity to innict upon the capricious
and insincere makhzen a les
Excellent son which may inspire the
Opportunity. respect that only follows
fear in the soul OF the Moroc-
can. Above all the capture and punish
ment Of Raisuli Is the only guarantee
against q repetition OF his offense and the
chronic state Of anarchy in Morocco. An
agreement with the brigand, any transac-
ton. compromise or the payment Of a ran
som for the Kaid MaoLean will simply be
turning in circle. A tacit recognition by
France Of the pretender's claim in ex-
change for Raisuli, dead or alive would
repay the sultan in his own coin for his
large share Of the responsibility for Moroc
can troubles. which have kept Europe on
the alert these several years. The capture
Of Raisun, then, should be the object Of
the actual military operations. and any
thing less than this result means an In
definite prolongation Of anarchy in Morocco
AS for Germany. that power expects that
France and Spain will ultimately stumble
upon the key to unlock the Moroccan door,
and deems it Inevitable that 1t may be
found between Raisuli and the pretender.
Prince Won Buelow has recently been in
terviewed at Norderney by NJ jules Huret
Of the editorial staff Of the Figaro. who
discussed with the chancellor many ques-
tions. all bearing upon the possibility of an
economical rapprochment between France
and Germany. The chancellor, among other
things. said:
You may be sure that we will not create
new difficulties for you In Morocco. We
remain faithful to the Algeciras act. On
your part you should frankly and without
reservation practice the economical policy
Of the open door, as the English say. Ger
many does not ask more than that.
''The conference at Algeciras has proved
that with moderation and good intention
you can arrange that the peace may not be
broken. You have seen in your travels in
Gsarmany that no one wants w1r. France
also does not want war. You are, at the
bottom, country Of good sense and rea-
son. You have remarked that Frenchmen
are well received in Germany and that they
are regarded really with sympathy"
Apropos to the real question which divides
Germany and France, the Zukunfdt (Herr
Maximiian Harden), writing
France and about the emperors stay at
aarmeny Kiel. says: The emperor
was on board the yacht Mir
vana of the Countess de Bearn An Amer
lean lady boasted of the charms Of the
beautiful city of Paris and expressed the
regret that the emperor could not admire
it's magnificence with his own eyes. His
ma ajesty politely adhered. There is a way
said the lady with millions. encouraged by
his attitude. to cause this obstacle to disap-
pear The emperor showed politely par
ticuar attention. An enthusiastic recep-
ton at Paris would certainly follow If your
majesty would decide to give back to
France the provinces of Alsace-Lorraine.'
'Ah! that has not yet occurred to me- re-
Joined the emperor.
1