FRANCE PLANNING FOR CONQUEST IN AFRICA.
Paris, September 16. —Preparations are already well advanced for Hie next,war of conquest in which a great Power will engage. The French Government has determined to conquer and annex Morocco, and operations on an extensive scale probably will be begun within a few weeks.
This ambition of France is, of course, well known and well understood. What is not • well known and will not bo easily understood is that Great Britain has consented to stand aside and to abandon her almost traditional attitude of protection of the Royal prerogatives of the Sultan of this African kingdom. Less than 10 years ago Great Britain would not have hesitated to make war with France, if necessary, in defence of the integrity of Morocco. The Sultan, as hits as the spring of the present year, relied with absolute confidence upon British support. Whether he has yet become aware of its withdrawal has not transpired. The explanation of this radical change of policy on the part of the British Government is only partially clear. It has at first glance the appearance of another "cave," and a weak one. at that. Its motive, however, is undoubtedly the new effort which Britain is making to divorce France from her alliance with Russia.
The concession was made by the British authorities at the time of the visit of President Loubet to the King in last July, and Delcasse brought back with him to Paris the- consent of Lord Lansdowne as the greatest coup of his administration. The approaching campaign will be the subject of the keenest military interest, not alone in France, but to all Europe. Nothing is known and much is suspected regarding the effectiveness of the machinery and personnel of the French army. It has had no real test.
The conquest of Morocco will not be child's play, although it involves nothing approaching in magnitude the task which Great Britain assumed with a light heart when she sent General Buller with 50,000 men to subdue the Boers.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 14 October 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)
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338FRANCE PLANNING FOR CONQUEST IN AFRICA. New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 14 October 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)
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