New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-15
AGADIR AND ALGECIRAS.

Objection TO German policy at Agadlr
is presumptively based upon the theory
that It violates the principles Of The
Treaty Of Algeciras and of the declara-
tions which were made by France ard
England in 1904 and by France and Ger
many in 1909. That treaty guarantees
the sovereignty and Independence Of the
Sultan Of Morocco, the integrity OF his
empire and the open door on equal terms
10 ali powers. The two international
declarations had the same purport, Ger
many in addition explicitly declaring
that she was pursuing only economic
interests in Morocco The necessary re-
forms III the direction of peace and or
der were TO be effected through reor-
ganization of the police under French
and Spanish auspices, the special posi-
ton Of those powers in Morocco being
thus recognized.
Now. what is Germany doing, or what
has she tried to do, at Agadir which
would play ducks and brakes with those
undertakings? The official statement Of
the Berlin government is to the effect
that German firms engaged in trade IN
the neighborhood of Agadir have suf
fcred from disturbances among the tribes
men and have appealed TO the German
government for protection of life and
property. and that consequently the gov
ernment has sent a warship thither 10
give aid and protection, which vessel
stoe
are restored in Morocco" That is all,
and with the exception Of one intima-
ton Il seems 10 be free from offence, in
spirit if not in letter.
There is nothing in It 10 indicate that
Germany Is doing anything more than
pursuing economic interests OF
course. economic interests demand the
maintenance Of order and peace and the
protection of life and property. It may
be argued, with the logic Of liberalism,
that as France and Spain were author
lied to reOrganize the police for the es-
Establishment and preservation Of order,
Germany should have looked 10 them for
protection for her traders, instead of
answer 10 that is. however, obvious and
Pretty convincing France and Spain
had not effectively maintained peace and
order at Agadir and were not adequate
ly protecting German lives and prop
erly. and Germany could not let her
subjects be sacrificed because of their
failure so TO do.
The one disquieting intimation, TO
which we have referred, is that which we
have put in quotation marks. The Ger
man warShip is to leave Agadr "as soon
"as peace and order are restored in Mo
rocco" In other words. II is TO remain
there until peace and order are restored.
That would be Objectionable If II Ie-
lated TO local conditions alone. But it
does not. 1t is general In application.
The warship is to remain ut Agadir until
peace and order are restored, not at
Agadr, but "in Morocco That means
all the empire The vessel is TO remain,
and Agadir is TO be under German mill
tGry control. until there is peace ut Figig
and ia the Riff and all over that turhu-
lent realm. Therefore, the German 0c-
cupatl0n OF Agadir may he for years,
and il may he forever The propriety Of
such intentions may be questioned, and
may also be defended. There is enough
10 be said oh both sides 10 mark the con
troyersy as one for dispassionatc dipio-
matte discussion. That discussion may
last for some time. Aud the treaty of
AIgeciras, nj least So far as its police
prescriptions go, expires 10y limitation
within the next six months!
Mayor Gaynor has found Il way To