Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-06-14


~ free hand she will be able 70
proceed with her long-deferred
projects, particularly in the CEN
traI belt from Casablanca through 70
Algeria, toward the occupation OF
which she has already made formioa-
BILE beginning. Most important OF
these projects. and probably first TO
receive attention, is construction OF
port near Casablanca and laying OF
railroad from this port to connect
with the Algerian system on the east
Having come to agreement with
England and Spain. France was on
the road to dominating Affairs in the
land of the Parasol six years ago,
when Emperor William made his ORA
matte visit to Tangier, and German
opposition manifested itself so acute
ly that the conference at Algeciras
had to be called to prevent Euro
pean war. The results OF that con-
ference seemed to bottle up French
ambitions indefinitely. but in reality
they have gone forward quietly and
partially. Now that they can proceed
openly and unrestrictedIy 1t will be
with the immense advantage OF sub
stantial beginning from which to
work.
The treaty OF Algeciras, signed In
1906. aimed to give Europeans a
chance to develop Morocco as indi-
viduals while keeping their hands on
as nations. Its purpose was to main
tain that excellent but unstable con-
dition known as the status quo" Ex-
cept for a limited European control
In the eight open ports" there was
to be no government in Morocco but
that Of the sultan. Unfortunately
there was nothing In the treaty to
maintain the government OF the sui
tan. There was nothing in Morocco
to maintain It. either. For the tve
years since the treaty went into eff
feet FL Mogreb has been the scene OF
perpetual Instructions and unrest.
remarkable even for that country OF
frequent warfare. In course OF this
short period there have been two sui
tans 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 than
the eight "open ports"
Friends of Morocco are not sorry.
therefore. that after playing blind
mans bun behind the treaty Of Al
geciras for i've years, the powers OF
Europe seem disposed to let It pass
into oblivion. The era OF individual
rather than national enterprise which
Il aimed to introduce in Morocco
might have been ideal II It had been
realized. II failed practically because
conditions have been such that few
individuals cared to risk life or prop
erty IN the turmoil.
WarshIps shell a Town.
Meanwhile France has been making
hay even though the sun refused to
shine. She has accepted such few
rays as fell on the field. and made the
best of them. Her first chance came
only a year after the signing OF the
treaty OF Algeciras, when the killing
of nine Europeans employed in the
construction Of jetty by a French
company at Casablanca gave excuse
for dispatching warships and Smelling
the town until the streets were
strewn with dead Moors.
Under terms of the treaty France
and Spain had been delegated Jointly
as protectors Of the lives and property
Of Europeans In Casablanca, one Of
the eight .-open ports" where they
were guaranteed right to reside and
trade. France promptly took advan
tage of this to land troops and gar
rison the town after the lombard
ment She has garrisoned It evel
since. Not only that. but iacting al
ways as protector Of Europeans n
Casablanca, of course) she began q
campaign of pacific penetration" In
to the surrounding country and for {
year engaged in continual warfare
against the nearby tribes. employing
for the purpose at one time as many
as $1,000 soldiers In the end II Ief
her master Of not far from 500,
square miles OF territory In the rich
est and most strategic location II
Morocco. q position which she hai
maintained and strengthened eve
since.
lntrenched on two sides OF the coun
try-Algeria on the east and Casa
blanca on the west-France hal
watched proceedings and played thu
game, adding a point from time {,
time to her score. Her great coul
tsince the occupation OF Casablanca
occurred last winter, when disturbed
conditions at Fee offered pretext Il
send a military expedition against tn
capital and occupy It. This. OF course
was directly responsible for rousini
Germany again and the dispatch b.
the latter OF gunboat to Agadir. TIT
ugly situation thus arising has nov
been settled by Germany's consent q
! French protectorate. which means
Morocco's virtual end as an inds
| pendent state and her assumption q