The Topeka state journal., 1908-09-02
DISCORDANT NOTE.
Concert of the Powers Is Seri-
Ously Disturbed
By Emperor Williams Action
Regarding Morocco.
LIKE A BOMBSHELL
Is the Effect of His Proceeding
in Paris.
The French Style 1t, "A Brutal
Change of Front" :"

Paris, Sept. 2.-The action of Ger
many in breaking up the concert of
the powers with regard to Morocco by
notifying the signers of the Algeciras
act that she considered the actual situa-
tion demanding the immediate rec
ognition of Mulai Hafid, the usurping
sultan of Morocco, has fallen like a
bombshell in Paris. A feeling approach
ing CONSERVATION is manifested in Of
fetal circles. The notification which
was made verbally, is not accompanied
by any explanation of Germany's "bru-
tai change of 'front.'" as it is termed
here, and in government circles the ac-
tion of Germany and the dispatch to
F'ez of DR.. Vassel. the German consul
at Tangier can no longer be disassoci-
ated. Others can see in Germany's ac-
tion only virtual proclamation of her
intention to disregard the Algeciras act
and seek special position in Morocco
for herself. The consequences both
from the International and French
standpoint are expected to be deplor-
able. In answer to Germany's call for
recognition of Mulai Hafid before he
has entered into any engagements with
Europe, fanatical Arabs who had been
gathering on the Algerian frontier at
tackled yesterday the French post at
Boudenib.
The Associated Press is in a position
to present the following official French
view of the situation:
''Germany's notification came as
complete surprise to France and Spain
who are engaged in celebrating a pro-
gramme of the demands, to be present
ed Mulai Hafid for the safe guarding
of the common interests of Europe and
America in Morocco. These demands
are to be submitted to the signatories
Of he AIQapiraS thew
are completed and the powers were so
notified eight days ago. Germany took
no exception to this course and we pre-
sumed that she was entirely satisfied
until suddenly there came this crash
out of a blue sky.
i''There was no longer any question
of upholding Abd-El-AZiz. Both France
and Spain recognized that he had dis
appeared definitely from the horizon.
What we proposed to do was to force
Mulai Hahd to ratify the engagements
of his brother, Add -El-Aziz, toward
Europe before recognizing him. Now
German comes forward with propo-
sition to recognize Mulai Hafid before
he has given any guarantee 1t amounts
to undoing the work of the Algeciras
conference and reverting to the status
quo ante The powers must decide be-
tween the position of Germany and that
of France: the French position we con-
slider to be most loyal to the spirit
and letter of the AIgeciras act.
1.-The French press is unanimous in
considering Germany's action provo
cative and possibly productive of an
actual crisis"
French Post Attacked.
Paris. Sept. ARAB tribesmen at
Boudenib, the former stronghold of
Mulai Hafid on the Algerian frontier,
suddenly attacked the French post
Yesterday afternoon. The hills sur
rounding the block house, swarmed
with Moorish warriors on foot and on
horseback. The fighting continued
until o'clock in the evening. the
French finally beating off the enemy
after the Arabs had sustained heavy
losses. The French had two men kill
! ed A renewal of the attack is ex
pected. It Is reported that $4,000
/ Moors surround the French post at
Boudenib. The French garrison totals
| 500 men. column of French rein
/ forcements has reached Bouananz, 40
| miles from Boudenib.
Uncle Sam Was a Signer.
Washington. Sept. 2.-During a
visit to the state department today
/ Count Hatzfeldt, the German charge
/ d'affairs. called attention to the Ber-
/ lin disDatches indicating it to be the
opinion of the government that the
| sneedv recognition of Mulai Hafid as
! sultan of Morocco by the signatories
| of the Algeciras conference would be
! in the interest of peace. Count
Hatzfeldt did not present any formal
note from the Germany foreign office.
The attitude of the state department
! in this matter appears to be one of
| expectancy and a disposition to await
| developments. The United States was
a signatory to the Algeciras confer
ence. but accompanied this with a
declaration that in accepting the
application of its regulations and
declarations to American citizens and
| interests in Morocco it did so without
assuming obligation or responsibility
| for their enforcement.