Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1911. UNWELCOME NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1911, Page 4

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1911. UNWELCOME NEWS.

The unwelcome news reached us yesterday of the revival in an acute form of tka international friction regarding Morocco which cix years ago bade fair to develop into a general conflagration. The two European Powers particularly concerned in Morocco aro France and Spain, especially the former, the most important of whose colonies, the province of Algeria, marches with Morocco for several hundred miles. The Power which, is most anxious to acquire a special interest in Morocco — probably for choice,' a good port or two on the Atlantic sea--' board with a sufficiency of hinterland — , ia Germany, and the rivalry which hast 1 thus developed is the key of the trouble. , The peculiar concern of France mi Morocco was, of course, recognised in* the Anglo-French Agreement which was( concluded oa the Bth April, 1204. The» French Government undertook not to* alter the political status quo in Morocco, and on the other hand the right of. 1 France to maintain order in the countrgrand to promote the necessary political, and military reforms was recognised by Great Britain. Tho interests of Spain in Morocco were specially considered l(y the contracting parties, and the undertaking of Franc© to obtain her concurrence was carried out by a Beparaito agreement between the two Powers whrfch was executed about six months later. But no attempt was made to secure 'the concurrence of Germany, and the Kaiser took occasion to display hie resentment in the hietrionic fashion which lie loivcs. &fi 10*4$ it, epwiaj e*pqdltien to^T&Ji.-

gier to pay his reepecte to the Sultan of Mofocco, whom he was reported to havo informed that ho had come "to assert the principle that German commercial and economic interests, the eoversignty ai the Sultan and the integrity of Morocco, should be maintained intact." Tho display wae as effective as the limelight could make it, and it is not to be wondered at that with thifi encouragement the Sultan showed himself obdurate in lii 3 resistance to the French programme of reform. The result was that at the suggestion of the Sultan, who was obviously acting under tho inspiration of Germany, an International Conference was held at-Al-geciras to review the position. The outcome of the conference, after deliberations which were prolonged in a very tedious fashion and more than once seemed doomed to futility that would have spelled disaster, was a substantial victory for the French claims. France had Teceived throughout a strong backing from Britain and Russia, while Germany's attitude appeared in so unfavourable a. light that she failed even to retain the support of her partners in the Triple Alliance, Austria and Italy. But Germany had won a conspicuoustriumph before the conference had met. or even been agreed upon. As the result mainly of her persistent attacks,., M. Delcasse, the French Foreign Minister, who had had a large share in the - promotion of the Anglo-French rapprochement, iad been compelled, to re* «ign, and the victory of Germany and the humiliation of her rival had for 'a while appeared to be complete. The? result of the conference was, however, as we have said, a decided score for France, and in February, 1909, a Franco-Gi«rman Agreement was executed, which followed very closely the terms of the AngloFrench Agreement relating to Morocco. By this agreement Germany reoognised the special political interests of France as bound up witb the maintenance of peace and order in Morocco, arad undertook not to interfere with th^m, declaring at the same time her own interests in the country to be econaomic only. France for her part agreed to respect those interests and to maintain the integrity and independence, of the S,heueefian Empire. According to the cab/legram which reached us from Berlin j'-esterday, Germany and Austria havey now warned France to be careful what &he does in Morocco. The hope is expressed that the intention not to; occupy Fez will be adhered to. " The independence of the Sultan," says the German Government, "ib an essential feafeare of the Act of Algeciras, and a breach of it would restore to all tho Powers freedom of action in Morocco.'* This statement is undoubtedly correct!, but we do not suppose for a mome»b either that France has the remotest idea of attempting the permanent occupation of Fez, or that Germany believes that she has.' A temporary occupation of the town may, however, be necessary to its relief and the protection of life and property and tho restoration of order, but the French military operation* may be embarrassed or modified in deftsrence to what looks> very like a brntal and unreasonable threat, •aimed not at;. the protection of any legitimate intrjreet in Morocco, but at the humiliation of a Ministry which has dared to giw,»< th^e hated M. Delcasse an important pcvrtfolio. At the time of writing no,:aews is to hand aa to the reception of the threat by the French Ministry a*id people, but it is safe to assume thsit they are thinking a good deal. We. trust that France .will turn away wra&i by a soft answer conveying the necessary assurance, and will then be allowed, to proceed with her arduous task of p/ffiification unmolested.