Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07
SPAlN'S SITUATION Is IMPROVING

that henceforth the government would
confine its action to the guarantee OF the
safety OF Melilla by the construction OF
additional fortified positions. The govern
ment would not push its penetration In
Morocco further.
A certain number Of journals in Europe
have violently attacked the Moroccan
policy Of Spain as a rule for the purpose
of furnishing the cabinet at Madrid Tor
the repression at Barcelona and for the
execution of Ferrer.
The fears OF the German press will be
ailayed by the new minister's declaration
concerning Morocco. The
German Lokal Anzeiger. for ex-
ample prior to this ex-
pressed the opinion that
the march of the Spanish army under
Gen. Ozozco on Tetuan seemed TO indi-
cate the intention to seize the northern
coast Of Morocco.
The Taegliche Rundschan was more
pointed in it's opinions. The Spanish oc-
cupation. 1t said, should only be provision
al and last until the payment OF the ex-
penses of the war by Morocco we
know what that means. 1t Is thus that
others have acted according TO an ancient
formula when 1t was desired to support
the pacific penetration Of a country when
the success Of the movement had been
assured. But what says the act Of AL
gecras on this head?'
The Temps replies to this challenge i'm
substance that the act of Algeciras has
the Riffians by the Spanish any more
than that Of France in the matter OF the
expedition to Chaoria.
In the commencement there was a diff
ference. The workmen killed at Casa
Blanca were emplo-ed by an enterprise
recognized by the makhzen by virtue of
the act of Algeciras. but such was not
the case with the mining company OF
Melilla. The murder of workmen justi-
fled In the one case, as in the other. the
act Of punishment, and the powers rec
ognized the fact In 1900, as they recog-
nized IL in 1907.
Spain. for a fact. is doing i'm Morocco
what Germany did in China to punish
did at Casa Blanca and at Oudja. II it
desired, nevertheless, to appeal to the
act of Algeciras ii was only necessary
to recall the fact that in the regions ad
tacent to the Spanish possessions Spain
makhzen without the Intervention of the
powers.
The capture of Selouan and the occupa-
ton OF Gourongou would seem to have
marked the limit Of pene-
Campaign tration designed by Spain.
c,o.;rr FL Pals. a republican or
gan. says: 1T is with
great pleasure that the end Of CAM
paign which has never been popular has
been announced. This campaign is less
glorious than that in Africa tn 1850. but
IL governments do nothing to spoil the
matter 1t may prove infinitely more use
full. We have gained, in fact. the entire
Riff, the almost island. of Three Forks
and the possession of Mar-Chica-basis
of a magnificent port. The campaign
may be fecund in results. II is neces-
sary now to undertake works to develop
its commerce.
The announcement Of the success of
Spain in the Riff has provoked a note
Of manifest disquiet in the British press.
The Daily Graphic expresses the idea
that English opinion breads to see Spain
engage in a war against the Cherifian
empire. and annex on the coast the ports
Of Tetouan or Mar-Chica. whose occupa-
ton would be menace to British in
terests. The Daily Graphic would per-
NIT Spain to occupy those points only
until Morocco had paid the war indem-
nifty. But, adds the Graphic. with man.
ifest chagrin: Morocco cannot pay the
indemnity, and thus all the seized terri
tory as guarantee will finish by being
annexed
Muiay Hafid communicated to the diplo-
note Of protestation relative to Spanish
action In the Riff.
The Cherifian note recapitulates the
events preceding the rupture Of hostilities
with the Riffians. 1t con-
moorish siders the occupation I'M
pro<..+ just, the seizure Of Cap
de rEau was the first
cause of instruction. aggravated by the
taking Of the mines Of BENZ Bou-1 frour.
the attack Of the Kebdana and the in
cursions of the troops at Ceuta in the
territories Of the Andjera.
The malj,zen called the attention of
Spain to the complaint Of the Rifians but
there was no response. The malshzen had
employed every means to insure respect OF
rights established by treaties and conven-
tions. Nothing. therefore. had justified
the excessive concentration Of troops at
Melilla.
The makhzen, as announced. had in the
meantime dispatched its ENJOYS to Mad
rid, where they remain still charged with
the mission to learn the precise date when
the positions occupied in the Riff would
be evacuated.
The incident Of the atrocious murder of
the roghi by the Sultan Mulay Haf1d him
self. the horrid details of which have been
published, deprives the Moroccan sultan
Of any interference in his favor even IL
so disposed. Mulay Hafid has thus placed
himself on a plane with the savage chief
tains of Africa and has forfeited the re-
spect of all civilized states.
The situation of the Moroccan mission
at Madrid Is thus rendered more delicate
and its object hopelessly frustrated. Tn
less some incident may happen. wholly
unexpected. the Moroccan mission at the
Spanish capital might be withdrawn with
a view to economize the expense.