The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-09-04
WATCHING EACH OTHER LIKE
HAWKS OVER THE MO-
RoccAN QUESTION
GERMANY's HIGHLAND POSE
Muddle May Lead TO Grave Trouble,
With France Standing High and
Right In the Eye Of the Great
Powers.

PARIS, Sept 3.-After an informal
conference by the ministers yesterday
and the exchange Of kilograms with
Premier clemcnccau, the Associated
Press was authorized 10 announce that
France intends to pursue the Moroc-
( can policy already mapped out and
that the powers will be allowed to de-
eide whether her course or that OF
Germany is preferable.
The tone OF the newspapers Is tenn
pcratc, but firm, and indicates that
the support OF the outside world will
be on the side OF France The Temps
declares that Germany's move proves
that she intends TO play her own game
In Moroceo,
after demanding an intervention OF
Europe at Algeciras' this paper says,
Germany Is now pursuing policy in
Morocco without regard TO Europe"
The paper points out that France
considers herself bound to view the
situation from the general standpoint
even TO the neglect OF her own inter-
ests. Had she desired TO take advan-
tage Of the situation, the concentra-
tion Of hostile army under one OF
Mulai Ha6d's lieutenants on the Al
gerian frontier would have furnished
an ample excuse to take only her mill
tary security into consideration. In
stead France allowed Mulai Ha6d TO
be proclaimed Sultan at Oudja. and
acting in accord with Spain. she un-
dertook to secure preliminary guam
antees to safeguard the interests OF
all the powers and 10 arrange an un-
derstanding among the powers, a
thing which Is most essential as guar
antees themselves This was explain
ed repeatedly 10 Germany through
diplomatic channels.
"To recognize Mulai Hafd," the pa
pers declare. without knowing whe-
ther or not he will accept the Algeci-
ras act or subscribe TO the engage
meuts OF the empire toward Europe,
Ii policy Of incoherence worthy OF
M Jaures,"
Gcrmany's note, this journal goes
on, means nothing, or It means that
Germany demands the unconditional
recognition OF Mulai Hahd, II It Is
the latter II is Unacceptable. Germany
has the right to pursue her own policy
but il she runs counter to the inter-
ests OF Europe, she must not be as
tonished il she finds herself isolated,
II il certain that the other powers
have sufficient authority without Ger
Nmany to exact the necessary guaran'
tees. Frances line OF conduct is in
spired by the general interest and It
will not be modified
perhaps when DR.. Vassel presents
the olive branch from Wilhelm" 1t
says, Mulai Hahd may remember that
that the predecessors OF this particular
consul have cruel sequels; that Ger
many changes her proteges in Moroc-
co as elsewhere and that the promptest
recognition is not always the most
durable, The interest Of Europe IS to
treat unitedly with the Sultan Of Mo
rocco, who ever he may be. and It IS
the interests OF the Sultan to treat
with united Europe"
The Liberte is Of the opinion that
this coup Is aimed directly at France,
but says that even Germany's allies
must protest against this attempt on
the part Of Emperor William to mon
opolizc situation in which all the
powers are interested
"The period Of retention has been
renewed" says the Liberte, but we
need not be alarmed that the tone OF
the foreign press shows on which side
are the sympatbies Of the world
The Journal des d'Bates considers
that Cermany's move is selfish and
regrettable and sure to complicate
the settlement of the Moroccan prob
lem.