MOROCCO CRISIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7848, 10 July 1911, Page 7

MOROCCO CRISIS

GERMANY'S ALLEGED OBJECT TO CHECKMATE FRANCE IN EVENT OF WAR. By Telegraph—Prc'sa Association—Copyright. BRRLIX, July 7. Tho Berlin journal “ Dio Post ” (Conservative) declares that Germany’s real vital interest m an independent Morocco is that Germany should, in tho event of a war, bo ablo to start a Mohammedan insurrection against Franco, in order to prevent the latter from employing North African native troops in Europe. BRITISH PREMIER’S STATEMENT COMMENDED BY FRENCH HxESS. PARIS, July 7. Tho French newspapers generally commend Mr Asquith’s statement in regard to Morocco, considering that it will further strengthen tho entente between tho two nations. Mr Asquith's statement, which was made in the House of Commons-, was that tho now situation which had arisen in Morocco was likely to affect British interests. He was confident that diplomacy would find a solution, but it was the Government’s duty to protect British intcrceta and fulfil her treaty obligations to France. GERMAN ALLEGATION TEUTON PROTECTION SOUGHT (Received July 9, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, July 8. Tho Tangier correspondent of tho “Kolnishor Zeitung” reports that all tho influential people of Sus resident in Tangier have addressed a letter to tho German Minister expressing their assent and satisfaction should Germany take the Sus region under her protection. The German cruiser Berlin has replaced tho gunboat Panther at Agadir. Sus is the south-western province of Morocco Agadir. which has been occupied by tho Germans, is one of its prin. cipal towns. STATEMENT FROM PARIS ANOTHER THEORY OF GERMANY’S MOTIVES. PARIS, July 8. Germany and France have been intermittently . negotiating in regard to an agreement giving Germany industrial advantages in connection with railways in Morocco, in return for Germany’s placing on record a fresh recognition of France’s special political interests. As Spain has been ignored in the matter Spain protested that one railway traversed her sphere. Tho hitch in the negotiations is also plainly duo to the recent changes in the French Ministry. It is considered that Germany now seeks to re-open discussions through the Agadir surprise. RUSSIA TAKES A HAND ASKS GERMANY’S REAL OBJECT. ST. PETERSBURG, July 8. Russia has asked Germany what is her real object in sending a warship to Agadir, where there is no foreign trade, no Germans and no disorders. The note also asks if Germany contomplatesd landing troops. Russia contends that since Germany was alarmed about the situation, it would have boon simpler for France, Britain and Russia to each send a warship to help Germany in her self-imposed task SPANISH AGGRESSION SULTAN’S TROOPS FORCIBLY DISARMED. TANGIER, July 8. During tho absence of the French and British Consuls at Alcazar, General Silverstre, the Spanish Commander forcibly disarmed the Sultan’s troops and seized the barracks and military stores. FOREIGN PRESS VIEWS GERMAN PAPERS DIFFER IN OPINION. The “Lokal Anzoiger” (Liberal), the “Krooz Zeitung” (Government), and many other newspapers interpret Mr Asquith’s mention concerning the new situation in Morocco as implying that it has been created by Franco and Spain thus necessitating German intervention. Xhe Berlin “Post” (Conservative) says that Mr Asquith politely announces “Hands off.” “Germania” remarks that the optimists oro wrong in supposing that Britain remains neutral or even well disposed towards Germany. All Germany’s Lopes, declares that journal, are shattered at one blow. Germany, too, must face a now situation, and it is to he hoped that Herr Von Riderlon -Wachter, tho Minister of Foreign Affairs, will ho equal thereto. VIENNA JOURNAL’S PERTINENT QUESTION. VIENNA, July 8. The “ Neue Frodo Prosso ” declares that the evil done in the last few days is sufficiently grave and that the pacific work of many years has been disturbed, that Mr Asquith’s speech is positive proof that he considers that the policy hitherto pursued must he continued under King George, and that Germany must struggle anew in tho negotiations against a world of distrust and open and secret foes. The newspaper asks; lo Morocco worth these complications?