The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-09-01

as occupying an exceptional position
In Morocco was but preliminary
step to French seizure of the terri
tory. II looked for a time as II
France and Germany were to fly at
European powers was called. which
met at Algeciras, to hear the griev.
ances Of Germany.
France claimed a predominant In.
terest In Morocco by reason OF the
fact that Morocco Immediately ad-
joined French province. which suf
fered as a result OF Moroccan convul-
sions. The commercial interests Of
France in the sultanate were large;
and, moreover. Morocco directly con-
fronted France across the Mediter-
ranean. For these reasons France
claimed the right to see that order
was preserved in the Shereefian en-
pire.
Against these claims Germany ad-
vanced her theory of internationalism.
II Morocco proved troublesome, let all
the nations take a hand In discourag.
ing her. II would be easier SO to Sc
cure equal commercial rights among
nations and to maintain the open door.
II France were to be allowed to police
Morocco II would be but a short step
to French possession.
A settlement was finally reached a
year after the kaiser's visit to Tan
gier. The powers decided that the
sultanate should be policed by troops
under French and Spanish officers.
jointly answerable to the sultan and
the diplomatic corps at Fee. In Tan
gier and Casablanca both French and
Spanish officers were stationed. Spain
was intrusted with the exclusive po-
licing OF Tetuan, on the Mediterran.
can. and Larache. on the Atlantic; to
France fell the policing of the At.
lantic ports OF Mogodor. Saffi. Ma,
zagan and Rabat. On the financial
side France Jared equally well, being
allowed to hold three out of fifteen
shares In the new Moroccan bank, nc
other European nation being allowed
to control more than one.
France had got practically every.
thing she had right to expect. The
special interests OF France In Moroc
CO. recognized by the powers OF 1906,
were specifically admitted by Germany
In February, 1909. In what is known
as the Franco-German agreement. In
that document Germany admitted that
she possessed only economic interests
in Morocco and that France was
bound to bestow on her only such com,
mercial and Industrial rights as were
enjoyed by other nations there. This
was regarded as a formal conclusion
of peace between Germany and
France SO far as the Moroccan I'm
broglio was concerned.
Yet recent events show with sum.
cient clearness that neither the Al.
geciras conference nor the Franco
German agreement has disposed. as
was confidently asserted at the time,
of the troublesome Moroccan prob
lem. All that was needed was a spark
to kindle the old resentment into
flame. That spark was afforded by
the recent revolt of tribesmen in Mo-
rocco and the investment Of Fee. Ger
many was pleased to regard the In
reference of France to save the sui
tan as gratuitous. No European lives.
Germany contended. were imperiled
by the uprising. There was no call
for French troops to march to the re-
lief of Fez. The military demonstra-
ton was only another attempt to ex-
tend the French zone of influence In
Morocco. Further complications were
introduced by the Spanish occupation
Of Alkaxar and the resultant friction
with French ofncers. France suspect
ed Spain Of playing into the hands Of
Germany and although Spain dis
claimed any such purpose and prompt
~ apologised. the tension was BY NO
means relieved. The upshot Of the
new trouble vas that Germany sent
. gunboat to Asadir and landed ma
Finss. Thus for the second time Ger
many brought On Q crisis which has
been occupying he diplomats Of six
countries.