The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1911-09-09

~ roccan cat once more leaped out
A of the diplomatic sack into
which 1t was hastily thrust by
the panicstricken powers at Algeciras.
AS result France, Germany
and England have been filed with
the most dreary forebodings, and
all because Germany saw fit to send
gunboat to little known but grow
ing port on the coast of Africa.
The coast of Africa has long been
one of the storm centers of European
diplomacy. 1t tempted the legionaries
of old Rome and awakened in the
bosom of Napoleon splendid dreams OF
empire. The colonizing nations OF
the present, especially England and
France, have lost men and sunk money
in its conquest. Morocco is the last
1 tempting bit of land on the northern
coast to maintain its integrity and
| there are indications that this last
| prize will soon pass under European
control. Germany's possessions in
Africa are relatively Insignificant,
rather a burden than benefit to her
/
should wish to have some say about
the future of Morocco. Her anxiety
4 Is the greater because her possessions
in other parts of the globe are deemed
INSULT cient to support the pretensions
of German world-influence. If Ger
many, when the time comes for the
sultanate to fall, is to surrender her
claims to France, she will take good
care to assume such position In the
meantime that substantial compensa-
ton can be demanded. Morocco is
thus pawn on the complicated chess
board of diplomacy. But as such II
is very useful to Germany.
1t is not a source of satisfaction to
Germany that 1t was the triumph OF
her own arms which indirectly result
ed in the expansion of French terri
tory. France had established pro
tectorate In Algeria In 1880, but hat
taken on the whole a rather languit
, interest in the province. After the
reverses of the Franco-Prussian war
however, a definite policy of colonia
expansion to the immediate south wal
J adopted as the surest way of regain
: ing lost prestige. 1t was the dream
{, of some ambitious and imaginative
: statesmen that a great new Franc
might In time rise on the northern
coast of Africa. The occupation o
Tunis marked the first definite ste
after 1871 In the carrying out of thi
4 policy
Meantime both England and Franc
were engaged in Egypt. France ha
Inherited from Napoleon certain pr
y Iitical interests In Egypt. They wer
q not highly regarded, but they enable
L her to drive good bargain with Enl
h land when the occasion arose. Nj
Q rocco furnished this occasion. Fo
800 miles the western boundary {
Algeria marches with the easter
frontier of Morocco. The Frenc
drove a thriving trade with Algeri
and through Algeria with Morocco,
trade. however, that was menaced /
the constant turbulence within tt
Moroccan state. Peace in Morocco
was very necessary to France. ord'
could be insured only by Europes
policing. In 1904, therefore, NJ Dc
casse, then foreign minister
France, made overtures to EngaI
which resulted in an understands
between the two powers. France e
gagged to recognize the exceptional 7
sition Of England in Egypt. and
return for this concession Englal
"A agreed to leave France a free hal
na In Morocco. This was the social
vn Anglo-French agreement. 1t was dee
81 ly resented by Germany.
ph The resentment of the Wilhel
on strasse, after smoldering for sor
months, eliminated In 1905 in t
fiery outbursts of the kaiser at Ts
ger. This outburst presently I
m Europe by the ears, for the kaiser I
n clared that Germany was prepared
IN protect her commercial rights In a
ne to guarantee the political integrity
as Morocco. This amounted to an
mission that Germany distrusted
motives Of France. choosing to belle