The evening times., 1911-08-01
THE EUROPEAN WAR CLOUD.

roccan situation are not lost on Brit
ish spectators. That the possibility
Of a clash with Germany is less re-
mote than was believed week ago
is evidenced by the heavy selling of
stocks by British interests on the
New York stock exchange The Eng
lish people generally are greatly
wrought up. and Premier Asquith in
directly added to their uneasiness
yesterday when he begged the house
not to stir up controversies on the
subject of Morocco.
1t is difficult to determine just
where the line is drawn between gen.
uine resentment Of German agrees
sion and pretended indignation, skill
fully simulated for the purpose of
distracting attention from the trou-
blous domestic affairs of England.
When in trouble at home, start talk
of a foreign war-that is an old trick
Of European ministers. Nothing
would unite Britishers Of all political
compilations quicker than the threat
Of war with Germany In this case
Morocco is the bone of contention,
but if there had been no Morocco,
another bone could have been found.
Experienced observers. therefore,
will discount much of the bellicose
talk in England while the constitu-
tional crisis is on.
Nevertheless, the attitude Of Ger
many is such as to give England good
cause for worry, and it is not with
out good reason, probably, that the
fleet has been held in British waters
Emperor William, as usual, holds
mysterious hand, and plays it like an
expert. Frances desire to exercise a
dominant influence in Morocco is the
kaisers excuse for a bold demand
for sea base on the west African
coast, or at least an exttnsion of
German territory in Africa. With
France alone, the German demands
might be granted; with Great Britain
behind France, Germany faces a
strong combination, and the curiosity
of the world is instantly centered up
on the question, what will Emperor
William do?
Some Of the reports from London
are to the effect that the British au-
thorities are not nearly so averse to
a, clash with Germany as superficial
circumstances would indicate. 1t is
argued that the struggle would be on
the sea, where England has a greater
advantage now than she will have
hereafter, with the rapid increase Of
eAO NSA uoA navy. Will Iu0 0cTuldu
fleet rapidly overtaking the home
feet in size and fighting power, Eng
land is confronted with the prospect
of losing control Of the seas, and
consequent loss Of oversee posses
sions at the pleasure Of her rival.
Shall she strike now, when she can
win. or wait longer. in the hope Of
maintaining a patched-up peace?
On the other hand, the suggestion
is made that Emperor William will
not force the issue il he finds Eng
land stubbornly determined to resist
his demands upon France. 1t is said
that he is not quite ready for the
death struggle with Britain. At the
present rate Of naval progress. Ger
many will have become almost a
match for Great Britain by 1915. and
her full equal by 1920. Then, and
not before, 1t il held, will the strug-
gle occur.
Fortunately for Americans, the
United States has no political inter.
est in Morocco, and would not be
drawn into any quarrel between the
powers on that question. The people
Of this country can look with equani.
nifty upon the progress Of events
without serious concern as to wheth
er the outcome will be peace or war
When a mans business will permi,
him to take a vacation he generally
figures that he can't afford It.,
! Ever know anyone who didn't find
/ more than the ten commandments tt