The morning journal-courier., 1908-09-05
TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT.

TEMPEST IN JGA'vI'
 The full meaning of the German kalser's latest political move, In an' nounclng that the situation in Morocco demands the immediate recognition of Mulai Hand the usurper as sultan of the little country of the African north coast, cannot easily be fully realized in thls country. The chief reason for this is that United states interests com. mercIal or political, In Morocco are very limited. There are few of our countrymen there to be concerned In the future of the Moorish nation. But to the European powers the natural position of Morocco, commanding as 1t does one or the gateways to the Medi- terranean, 1t Is naturally a grave an- nouncement.
 It is because of the Algeciras act that France is today so alarmed over the kaiser's announced intention of recog nizng the man who has usurped the place of Abd-el-Aziz in Morocco. stat ed briefly, that net provides that no man shall be recognized by the Euro pean powers as sultan of Morocco un- til he has fully subscribed to such guar antees as those powers shall between them decide upon. The kaiser Is known to be an open friend of Mulai Hafd, the usurpiug brother Indeed at Tan gler he is looked upon as Hafd's only European friend The present under standing in Paris Is that Germany pro- poses to recognize him before he has subscribed 10 the many agreements, similar 10 those of his brother, now be- ing formulated. With characteristic excitement. Frenchmen are pointing out how all the careful and deliberate work of the Algeciras conference will go for naught. if Germany persists in this announced decision. and how re- lations will revert to the status quo ante The French press Is expressing itself as more than ever convinced that the kaiser intends 10 take advantage of the present Morocco situation. having now learned that the German consul at Tangier. pr Vassel. has left for Fez, ostensibly to obtain the ear of Hand And SO the Incident Is magnified. IL ls recalled how near Germany and France came 10 an open breech three years ago because of disagreements as to Morocco. The kaisers announce ment keeps on creating It's merry little rumpus till there are rumors of hos many and France, as the hot-headed Frenchmen force their conclusions.
 Those who know the diplomatic ca pacities of the German kaiser will be inclined to think his position has eith- CT been imperfectly or lncompletely stated or that he has been mlsunder- stood Especially would that seem to be the case in view of his recent peace talk at Strasburg within the week. At that time he expressed himself as de- lighted with the present wholly peace ful aspect of European affairs and be' cause of 1t all the world rejoiced with him. He said European peace now rests on "too solid foundation to be easily upset by the settlements and calumnies provoked by envious and evil-dlsposed individuals It Is unbe- llevable that the kaiser would be so two-slded as to talk peace one day and within week take an action in regard to Morocco sure to bring about feelings that are anything but peaceful and possibly open hostllltles,
 It is not difficult to understand that the kaiser had in mind the great neces- sIty there is of quelling the present Moroccoan troubles. He saw that the recognition of Hahd Is certain some time, since his brother, the former sul- tan, Abd -el- -Azz is now a nonentity, and he has but taken steps that seem ed to him best toward hastening that universal recognition of him by the powers. There can be no doubt tha, the little trouble will blow over, but tt only goes to show how Europe may be walking on swords points, even when thanking heaven for every bless ing of a world peace,