FRENCH PERTURBED

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1936, Page 9

FRENCH PERTURBED

GERMAN WARSHIPS

ACTIVITIES IN MOROCCAN WATERS

(Received August 6, 10.20 a.m.)

PARIS, August 5,

Recalling the visit of the German cruiser Panther to Agadir which almost precipitated a European war in 1911, newspapers are discussing with perturbation the German warships' activities in Moroccan waters.

■ The "Echo de Paris" says that much comment has been aroused in European capitals by the German officer's visit to the rebel leader, General Franco, which some circles regard as reminiscent of the Kaiser's landing at Tangier in 1905. The fact of Germany sending the strongest unit of her fleet to Moroccan waters indicates that Berlin wishes Germany to be one of the Powers settling any new problems arising in Spanish Morocco. "Le Jour" declares that Germany has not lost hope of reconquering: gradually all she lost in the Great War.

Le Jour" says that the Spanish Government is negotiating for the purchase of about £ 120,000 worth of military aeroplanes, part of which must be paid before the aeroplanes leave.

The arrival of the German gunboat Panther at the undeveloped port, of Agadir came at a difficult %c in European relations. There had been an uprising of tribes about Fez against Sultan Mulai Hand, who was unpopular partly because of his dependence on the French and partly because of the exactions of his vizier. Fez itself was besieged and French troops were sent to occupy it and pacify the district. Germany- resented this extension of France's power in Africa and took measures to counter it. Oh July 1, 1911, the German Government announced-to France that it had decided to send the gunboat Panther to Agadir. The ostensible motive was'to protect the German subjects there; .the real one. has been held to be to test the Franco-Bri-tish entente. Also the act constituted a challenge' to French authority and the extension of French influence. The situation became critical and as the protests: of France were ignored national feelings became inflamed. The action of Britain, which announced her alignment with France arid her objection to Germany obtaining territorial influence in Morocco, helped to end the crisis. A series of conversations followed and from, it emerged the FrancoGerman Treaty,of November 4, 1911, by-which F.rance was to cede some of her Congo territory to Germany in return for the recognition of her political (Protectorate over Morocco, economic equality being reaffirmed. ■

, On March 31,/ 1905, the German Emperor landed at Tangier and had conferences with the representatives x>t the Sultan. The Emperor was reported to have. stated that he had come to enforce the sovereignty of the Sultan and the equality of economic and commercial interests. The effect of the intervention was soon apparent, The Sultan rejected a scheme of reforms proposed by France, and at the suggestion of Germany issued invitations to the Powers to meet his representatives and advise him on the reforms needed. The French Foreign Minister, M. Delcasse, held that there was no need for. a conference, but Prince Bulow used menacing language and after a period of tension M. Delcasse resigned, the French Government then agreeing to hold a conference. This met at Algeciras in January, 1906, and engaged in the delicate task of reconciling the French Claims of predominance with the German claims of equality for all. The British supported France and the Austrians Germany, and after great difficulty a scheme of reforms was adopted, Germany having previously^ acknowledged the privileged position of France on - the Morocco-Algerian border. ■

A message received yesterday stated that a German destroyer had cruised off Ceuta under the eyes of the Spanish loyalist fleet. The battleship Deutschland entered the port, where rebel troops received the German ■ admiral and escorted him to a luncheon with the rebel leader, General Franco. At the luncheon the admiral was reported to have toasted the destruction of the Red fleet and the victory of the na-" tionalists. ,