Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-04

in dividing Spanish interest in the north
ern zone.
Although Gen. d'Amade may confess
that he erred In speaking out so loud. II
must be confessed that his vision was
entirely correct. Spain has no intention
of abandoning the advantages gained by
the secret treaties. according to N. Hano-
taux who believes that she made the sac
rifices in order promptly TO gather the
fruit Of a policy which was prudent and
farseeing. Holding the bar against
France. Spain would not abandon any or
her pretens ons. old or new. I'm the north
or the south, and would cite the texts or
the treaty. at which France could only
carp Spain had filled her hands In view
of the negotiations, and In the presence
of which France on the contrary was al
most disarmed.
In 1902 France ceded Fee to Spain in
the secret treaty, which treaty, As we
have stated. was rejected by the Spanish
minister What would have been the sit
uation OF France in this Moroccan ques-
ton but for the Spanish minister's unac-
countable action ii is difficult to imagine.
In 1904 France opened with her own
hands to Spain a sphere of influence
stretching along the north
Delcasse's of Morocco. French
p,,I minister (Delcasse). who
appears to have taken no
counsel in 1904 any more than in 1902.
except his own inspiration. arranged the
secret treaty with its vast perspectives
which Spain would transform on the first
favorable occasion into accomplished
facts.
NJ. Hanotaux limits himself to say SO
much; he might have said more. For UNI
less Nj. Delcasse was saving France from
some catastrophe, 1t Is difficult to under
stand how minister of foreign anairs
could be so utterly wanting In apprecia-
ton of the enormous blunder he was com,
hitting. NJ. Delcasse has maintained
studied silence in the presence OF the
harsh criticism to which he has been sub
jected. Perhaps his stoicism Is explicabie.
but If he knows no more than the pubic
knows then We must wonder IL he Is oes-
tined to pass into history as a great min
lister.
In 1911 the French penetrated to the in
terror of Morocco and occupied Fee. spain
then assumed to act. as did Germany
There were certain formalities inscribed
in any case In the secret treaties ana
also in the Algeciras act But Germany
nor Spain took heed Of the sifnatory
powers. Germany sent the Panther to
Asadar. while Spain hastened to occupy
Larache and FL ksar. That there was
more than coincidence in the acts OF the
governments of Berlin and Madrid no one
has charged, because the proofs are not
available.
The French government has left things
60, said M. Hanotaux, but today In
order to add to the value Of the Franco
German arrangement concluded without
Spain) the world is informed that France
has obtained the whole cf Morocco
Spain is addressed in a menacing way AMI
"compensation money that Germany re-
uuired of France Is demanded or SPAIN:
LAS for me-" writes the ex-minister OF
foreign affairs, reflection made, DO not
hesitate longer. / demand that the gov
eminent and public opinion should con-
form to the engagements which were
made in the name Of France. Cavtlfng
too long will place us in bad situation
Since we must have neighbors In MO-
rocco it is better that they should De
Spaniards and since they are Spaniards II
is better that they should be satisfied
neighbors.'
Since a part of the Moroccan territory
must be lost to France, continues M
Hanotaux, France should take care that
II does not become. in case OF CONNECT. a
base of hostile operations. What was
the use of dislodging the possible adver-
saries from Agadir II they were 10 DC
confronted at Larache and at Mehlla?
Every one is Of the opinion that France
has a capital interest not to come TO
blows with Spain. In Europe hostile
Spain is a grave peril for France, out
in Morocco is not the peril as great! Is
II not apparent that the French occupa-
ton of Morocco would be embarrassing
if IL could not count upon a loyal reel
procity of services and OF honest pro-
ceedings on the part of their neighbors!
A mutual confidence is necessary even
in the matter Of keeping their frontiers
intact.