Evening star., 1911-06-11

at Fee on the 21st ultimo.
The event from a political as well as
a military point OF view is intensely
interesting. From the political point be-
cause the opposition in France, headed
by the Jaures forces. holds that Germany
would make the enterprise a protest Tor
a denunciation of the Algeciras act and
a demand for compensation. etc. From
the military point because the opposition
maintained that the movement toward
Fez would require the employment Of
much greater military force: 1t would
provoke the union OF all the disunited
tribes in Morocco. the holy warm brief.
disaster. The Moroccans were made to
appear as fanatics and '.xenophobes." and
all the "croquemitaines or bugbears
which are trotted out on such occasions.
Gen. Moinier, with the knowledge that
all the Moroccan tribes were more sinned
against than
Pacific Proclamations shining. that
of Gen. Moinier. .awo,. @ sac.u.s
Of the heartless exactions Of the Makhzen,
caused his march to be anticipated by
pacific proclamations. The French were
going to Fee on a mission Of peace. They
would inaugurate a reign OF justice. They
would maintain the supremacy OF the
sultan and the integrity of Moroccan
territory, but there would be an end OF
onerous taxation and injustice. Was 1t
not due to such announcements that the
march of the French to Fee was almost
unopposed?
The Temps of Paris refers to the arrival
before Fee "the inviolate" as a great
in tho history NJ bo rhnrifion
pire and without precedent. Gen. Moinier.
at the head of a French army, had trav-
ersed region never before visited by
Europeans. and, more, by an army which
was not in fact an army bent upon con-
quest.
The spectacle presented by the arrival
OF the French troops Is described by the
correspondents as dramatic in the ex-
treme. First, there had been the expedi-
ton of an advance column bearing stores
for the quick relief of the besieged Then
followed the troops. with bayonets fixed.
with banners unfurled and music at the
head before which the besiegers precipi-
lately dispersed-now received with shouts
and frantic manifestations by the over
joyed besieged natives and Europeans.
Fez is surrounded by q series Of delight
ful gardens. through which run refresh
ing streams of water. One Of these, the
Oar Debibach, 1000 meters removed from
the walls of Fee, with its palace, was
designated as the encampment for the
troops and the residence Of their COM
mander.
There was no truth in the reported de-
fection Of Sultan Mulay-Haf1d. On the
contrary. the sultan was well aware that
he owed his salvation and maintenance
to this relief army. which. although it
had been delayed and had barely missed
catastrophe, was his savior. Hand was
OF all the besieged the most elated and
jubilant.
The minister Of war. on receipt Of Gen.
lar al 4.
patch congratulating him upon the sue
cess OF the operation and the courage,
devotion and resistance Of the gallant
French army. Hafid's first act was to
consult with Gen. Moinier as to the or
ganization OF an effective modern army,
which, commanded by French officers,
would be established on the basis of TO-
UO The sultan's next proposition which
ne deemed urgent was the succor of the
European residents Of Mekinez and the
prompt punishment of the pretender,
Mulay-Zin, who had established his SOL
disant capital at Meckinez. There is lit
tie doubt that Gen. Moipier will in
clude Mekinez in the prompt expedition
tribe.
The Temps. In commenting upon the ar
rival of Gen. Moinier at Fee. writes:
IT he Moinier
Arrival Of Troops column. according
to the declarations
dt rez. even Of the govern
ment, had a double task. It was charged
first to save the European colonists at
Fez and revictual that city. 1t had been
accomplished. Then, because the sultan
could not do so, the Zaer tribe should
be punished severely for the assassination
Of Lieut.. Marchand and his men: that
1n oP xny, AIai
work to be done returning. Thus
France" adds the Temps, will have
remained to the end within the public
program of those who speak In her
name.
France" continues the Temps, will
justify the cordial and confident welcome
she found in all the powers when she
communicated to them her program. She
owed them her sincere obligations"
To be in Fee and go away having the
power to realize what was accomplished
in Tunis and abstain from it-this is what
France promised to do, and she will per-
form the promise. 1t was an original and
unusual action.
But there was nothing in common in the
present situation in Morocco with that of
Tunis in 1882. The social and political
state of the two countries is profoundly
different. A treaty of protectorate signed
with Mulay-Hafid would impose obliga-
tions beyond the profits to be realized.
The feudal anarchy Of the Maghreb would
weigh heavily in the balance, and this
was remarked, in order to dissipate the
regrets which might arise in ill-informed
circles.
The Temps finally concludes that the
situation of the French at Fee Is con-
fronted by a double difficulty. The
French troops are at Fee and their pres
ence there should be both provisional ana
efficacious. The Temps Is of the opinion
that there is only one solution-to return
to the initial policy. upon which All IN
principle were in accord. and which was
an error not to have practiced since ten
wears, namely, "a policy of collaboration
with the sultan based upon the integrity
Of the sovereign and Of the open door.
The outline of that collaboration al
ready existed; it was sufficient only TO
fill ii in. The military mission is the es-
santiaI 60, organ created and recognized by
the treaties; it was necessary 10 give ~
the men and means asked for In VAIN
since 1910. The rest-publfc works ana
follow naturally Ihe du-
rable efficacy of the march to Fee VIII De |
obtained at this price. The provisional
character of the intervention Will De snort
acc ording as the measures are RAPID
pacific in principle and purpose. French |
nolicy in Morocco possesses the rare for |
tune to have maintained this character;
profoundly attached to that policy and
completely foreign to the dreams or con- |
ouest ascribed to France by her adverse |
ries. il will only be necessary to lend
to that policy a constant appncation' ana
thus maintain it in the Cherifian em- /
nire intact. Independent, and accessible |
tn all the conciliatory interests OF France. \
Spain and Europe.
lust here It is proper to notice as bear /
ing upon the attitude of France in this