Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-06
POWERS CHECK KAISER
Cold Water on Proposal to
Recognize MuIai, Hafid.
ATTITUDE OF AMERICA
Support for Open Door; Opposition
to German ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Nc CURTAIL TO ARMAMENT
Great Britain to Make No Further
Attempts Toward Agreement.
- Next Move Awaited.

fpecis CabIcGram to The Star.
| LONDON, September Public irrIta-
ton and alarm over Germany's sudden
breaking from the concert of the powers
with regard to Morocco are rapidly sub
siding. But Germany's action is still the
cause of much uneasiness in the dlplo-
matte world.
II is now known that all the European
poYers sgnatory to the Algecras conven-
tom except Austria. have replied TO Ger
many'S suggestion for the immediate
recognition of Mulai IIafid in cOldly polite
terms. saying they would await the tortl-
coming joint note from France and Spain
Austria's answer is not known. Vienna
adSices indicate that official opinion there
is that Gernany's action was i'll advised
Pie French attitude continues to SHOW
sauEfroid and good sense. Her authorities
carefully refrain from any sign of annoy
aIree so that If Germany motive was TO
provoke an aggressive retort it utterly
failed in this purpose.
The official view taken Of the matter at
the Quai D'OrSay is that GermanyS at
tempt to- force the hand of France. So as
to. secure for herself prominence and
preference with the new Moroccan regime.
constitutes one of those outbursts in her
foreign policy which Europe is beginning
10 learn To expect.
For Domestic Effect?
One explanation of the German action
is that it is designed chiefly for domestic
effect. Chancellor Won Buelow must soon
go. before the reichstag with fresh pro-
posaIs for new taxation to carry out the
naval program.
The forward party in German politics
has been grumbling at the weak end
ing of the German role at A1geCiraS. This
bit of aggression is expected to placate
them well as brace the country to con-
sent to assume still heavier burdens III
the game of welpolitk.
This, however would seem hardly an
adequate move. for an act of presumption
which seems likely to result only in an
overt demonstration of that isolation in
Europe which the kaiser so much reSents
II is now known that GermanyS future
policy was clearly declared by the kaiser
to- King Edward al Cronberg. 1t is eX-
pressed in the watchword:
peace, but no limitation of arma-
nlentS.
lis settles. once for all. the British
attempts inaugurated by the late Camp
bsil- Zimmerman to gain curtailment of
araafents by international agreement.
The Times Berlin correspondent makes
today the following interesting comment
as to this:
Experienced Judges of International
politics in this part of Europe are by no
means certain that the German emperor
has not rendered a greater service to
the cause of peace by his firm rejection
or the British proposal than by his assur-
arce that all European rulers and re-
sRonslble statesmen wish for peace. The
chief danger to international tranquility
lies in the uncertainty.
British humanitarians and peace-mak-
erS may regret the destruction of their
Cherished hope. But continental politi-
clans not whit less pacific than their
BRUSH liberal colleagues. see perhaps more
clearly the perilous Observation-Disclosures
that the British suggestion might have
OccaSioned.
Misconstruction of Motive.
"A nation like the German, which owes
Its unity and development TO the prowess
or Its hShting men, may easily come to
regard any foreign proposal for the limi-
tatlon of ornaments as an attempt to
arrest the growth of its armed strength
Assuredly nothing is further from Brit
ish intentions. But British politicians
should consider not only the subjective
goodness of their ideas, but the liability
OF those ideas to honest miSinterpretation.
Thanks to the German emperor uncer-
tainty is now dispelled and the field of
vision is clear.
Although the American reply to Ger
manys suggestion for the immediate
recognition of Mulai Hatid cannot be
given, it is possible to define the general
attitude of the Moroccan question which
American representatives abroad have
been instructed TO take.
They Will support Germany whenever
the question of the open door arises They
VIII oppose her If she seeks To diminish or
supplant France or Spain's pacifying set
Ting of civiliZing influence.
This is virtually also the attitude of
Great Britain. Russia and Italy. 1t is
distinctly opposed TO the German action
in trying to steal a march on the powers
by sending her consul secretly to Fez..
The diplomatic world is on the qu vve
awaiting Gernany's next move that will
indicate whether it is the kaisers inten-
ton to reopen the whole Moroccan ques-
tion and create once more a dangerous
European situation. which would be full
az unpleasant possibilities.