Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-20

Tree manu- SIG Ill bC stbt>
proceed with her long-deferreu
projects, particularly in the cen
trail belt from CaSablanca through 10
Algeria, toward the occupation OF
which she has already made formlda-
bic beginning. Most important VI
these projects, and probably hrst u
receive attention. is construction Oh
port near Casabanca and laying Oh d
railroad from this port to connect
with the Algerian system on the eaS''
Having come to agreement WIN
England and Spain, France was on
the road to dominating AFFAIRS III Tue
land of the Parasol six years ago.
when Emperor William made his ORA
matte visit to Tangier, and German
opposition manifested itself so acute
" that the conference at Algeciras
had to be called to prevent a Euro
pean war. The results OF that con-
ference seemed to bottle up French
ambitions indefinitely, but In reality
they have gone forward quietly ana
partially. Now that they can proceed
openly and unrestrictedly 1t will DO
with the immense advantage OF suh-
stantial beginning from which &c
work.
The treaty OF Algeciras, signed IL
1906, aimed to give Europeans E
chance to develop Morocco as !ndi-
viduals awhile keeping their hands or.
as nations. Its purpose was to main
tain that excellent but unstable coz
djtion known as the Status quo EN-
cent for limited European control
IN the eight open ports there was
to be no government In Morocco put
that OF the sultan. Unfortunately
,here WIS nothing in the treaty TO
maintain the government OF the sui
tan. There was nothing in Morocco
70 maintain it, either. For the nVe
wears since the treaty went into ell
tect FL Mogreb has been the scene OF
perpetual instructions and unrest
remarkable even for that country or
freouent warfare. In course OF this
short period there have been two sui
fans on the throne and at least TWO
formidable pretenders for their Jobs.
Much of the time it has been impos-
sible for Europeans to live in or even
visit points in the country other thar
the eight open ports"
Friends of Morocco are not sorry,
therefore. that after playing blind
mans buff behind the treaty of AL
seciras for five years. the powers or
Europe seen: disposed to let it pass
into oblivion. The era OF individual
rather than national enterprise which
II aimed to introduce In Morocco
WIGHT have been ideal if it had been
realized. 1t failed practically because
conditions have been such that few
individuals cared to risk life or prop
erty In the turmoil.
Warshlps Shell Town.
Meanwhile France has been making
hav even though the sun refused to
slime. She has accepted such few
RAYS as fell on the field. and made the
h.st of them. Her first chance came
only year after the signing OF the
trenty of A!gcciras. when the killing
If nine Europeans employed in the
construction OF jetty by French
comnanv at Casablanca gave excuse
for dispatching warships and Smelling
tho town until the streets were
strewn with dead Moors.
finder terms of the treaty France
and Snain had been delegated Jointly
as protectors OF the lives and property
of Europeans in Casablanca, one OF
the eight open ports" where they
we're guaranteed right to reside and
trade. France promptly took adVan.
tase OF this to land troops and gar
rison the town after the lombard
ment She has garrlsoned it ever
since. Not only that. but (acting al.
ways as protector Of Europeans in
Casahlanca. Of course) she began
campaign OF pacific penetration" IN
10 the surrounding country and for
year engaged IN continual warfare
against the nearby tribes, employing
Tor the purpose at one time as many
as $4,000 soldiers. In the end 1t left
ser master of not far from $3.50
square miles of territory In the rich
est and most strategic location in
Morocco. position which she has
maintained and strengthened ever
since.
intrenched on two sides Of the coun.