Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-19

New YORK, Jan ian article On
Germany and France, with Special
Reference to the Moroccan Question"
by Count Won Bernstorff, German am
bassador at Washington, appears in
the current issue of The Outlook. 1t 1
is as follows:
The Moroccan question has passed
out OF its controversial stage and is
now a part of history. so that we are
able TO look back on it with an i'm
partial spirit and to judge the aims
and results of the German govern
ment's action with fairness-a fair
ness which seemed to be sometimes
lacking during the heat of the dis
cussions.
1t is we'll known that until 1904
England and France were contending
with each other for supremacy in Mo-
rocco. Then followed the Anglo
French agreement of April, 1904, and
in the fall of the same year a French
banking syndicate contracted a new
large loan with Morocco. Privileges
OF such Importance were granted to
this group of banks that the eventual
fate OF the sultan's empire seemed
to be decided. Germany, however,
intervened: the emperor visited Tan
gier; and few months later the cont
ference Of Algeciras was held. In
fair words il proclaimed the independ-
ence OF Morocco and the sovereignty
Of the sultan. 1t also created a null
titude of provisions and stipulated
the open door" in Morocco. At the
same time. however, police powers
we're granted to France and Spain
in eight open Moroccan ports, and,
furthermore, the treaty concerning
the above mentioned loan was rati-
fed with certain amendments.
Above all. owing 70 the long Allegro
Moroccan border line, the conference
could not prevent French influence
in Morocco from continuing and even
Increasing On account Of the who'll
ly unsettled and untenable conditions
IN Morocco-which il is no use deny
ng-opportunities for the exertion OF
French influence could not long be
wanting. In fact, the occupation OF
Usda and the bombardment as well
as the occupation OF Casablanca soon
followed. All this could have been
prevented only IL Germany had beer
inclined TO restore order in Morocco
and first TO go TO war, as would have
been inevitable, with the powers hos.
tile 10 such an act on its part. The
course OF events will always prove Il
be more powerful than the most per
fectly worded treaty provisions, and
the Algeciras act could not expect Il
alter the fact that Morocco and it!
inhabitants no longer in themselve:
possessed the strength to reorganiz'
their country. Some enthusiasts be
lieved that Muley Ha6d would be ablt
10 perform this task. but they sooI
had 10 recognize that, notwithstand
ing. his skill and ability as a states
man, he did not have the power L
bring about the necessary change
without foreign assistance.
For the German government Their
was therefore only one way open Z
protect German commercial interest
I'm Morocco, viz, by securing France
protection OF these interests. Thi
result was achieved by the Morocco
agreement OF Feb. 9, 1909, whic
expressly mentioned the Algebra
act as its basis. Clearly the objeC
OF this agreement could only be t
delay French advance in Morocco a
long as possible; so that Germa
traders. farmers and manufacturer
were In the meanwhile, under thi
same French protection, guarantee
by treaty. able to consolidate the
interests in Morocco in such a degre
that a French protectorate could NJ
destroy them. No one who kne