The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-16
PLAYS LONE HAND.
Emperor William Is Opposed by
Nearly All Europe.
In the Position He Has Assumed
Toward Morocco.
COUNTRY is SMALL.
But Has Capacity for Making a
E Lot CT Trouble.
May Upset Completely Balance
of Power in Europe.
COUNTRY is SMALL.

London, Sept. 16-European senti-
ment generally is opposed to the note
recently issued by Germany. advising
the powers to recognize Mulai Hafid
as supreme in Morocco. The criti-
cism is the natural outgrowth of three
jealous countries who have for years
been attempting to get a foothold in
this African country. France, Eng
land and Spain have been restrained
by each other from taking a hand in
the securing of Morocco for them
selves. They have so far kept each
other out and left Morocco to itself.
France takes the German note to mean
that Germany now expects to enter
the list and is strongly opposed to such
an action on the part of Germany
Internal strife in Morocco as we'll as
international strife for the possession
of Morocco dates back many years.
There are no countries worse govern
ed in the world than the North Afri-
can states and one or two other Medi-
terranean countries. OF course Moroc-
CO is one of the most fragrant.
1t is strange coincidence that the
section of the world first to receive
the light of civilization should today
pc the last in the race for higher civil
lization. Morocco is a small country
containing only an area of 218,0OO
square miles, which is considerably
less than the size of Texas. So far
Morocco has maintained her indepen-
dence from European invasion One
or two isolated GASES have been occu-
pied by the French, but the sultan
of Morocco is absolute monarch in
this small state. The people are made
up of Berbers, Arabs and negroes.
1-i-,
Jews and French. The history of the
three barbary states of Morocco, AL
geria and Tunis was one and the. same
and possessed common history for
Is centuries. Today Tunis and AL
geria have been practically absorbed
by the French, whose jurisdiction is
acknowledged over practically the en-
tire Sahara desert, so we see Morocco
entirely surrounded by French auth
GRITTY, and it is only natural that
France should covet this keystone
state.
The government of Morocco is an
absolute despotism, at the head of
which stands the sultan. For centuries
the people have been dissatisfied and
in continuous turmoil Excessive tax
ation,- religious fanatieism and deep
ignorance being the cause Of this COM
tinued warfare. Early in June last
Mula1 Hand succeeded in wrestling the
final authority from the former sultan
his brother, and should Germany and
other powers acknowledge him he will
become sultan of Morocco. Aziz,
known as the Prince of True Believ-
ers," has ruled since 1894 He is a
lineal descendant of the uncle of Mo-
manned, and thus had a special claim
on the veneration of the people His
grandfather was almost a full blooded
negro, but he belonged to the privi-
| legged class from his descent from a
prophet. He lacks the strength and
| personality to carry on campaign
against the popular Mulai Hafid. Grad
| ually he lost his power and support
| of his people. who fioclzed to the new
| Morocco with an iron hand. r..
What the result of this diplomatic
question, involving the four greatest
| European powers with this state, will
| be is hard to predict 1t would GER
| tainly be better for the small African
monarchy if some of the greater pow-
ers should take it in hand as they have
Algeria. On the other hand it would
| considerably upset the balance of DOW
er in Europe, for Morocco is a strate-
! gic point at the entrance of the Med
| iterranean, which of necessity would
| be of the highest Importance in case
of war In addition to this, Morocco
possesses a considerable export trade
which all the countries desire, and is
the natural outlet of the internal At
rican products.