THE MOROCCO QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 19

THE MOROCCO QUESTION.

GERMAN UNFRIENDLINESS

TOWARDS FRANCE.

THE VISIT OF THE KAISER.

SOME STRONG SPEECHES.

LONDON", March 30

Count yon Billow's organ in Berlin states that, however much M. Delcasr-e'.s defenders twist and turn, they cannot prove that Germany had assented to the new French 22 3 °li c y i n Morocco. The loolitical importance of the Kaiser's visit to Tangier lies in the fact that it is the outward and visible recognition by Germany that the Sultan had not abdicated his sovereignty in France's favour.

The French newspapers temperately reply that when the Anglo-Spanish and French agreements were made Germany did not give the slightest sign of dissent, though el-early but informally acquainted with the terms of Fisnce's policy.

The Times comments on the unfriendliness of Germany's attitude to France.

Raisuli, the brigand who abducted Mr Perdicaris, an American, and Mr Yarley, his son-in-law., and succeeded in obtaining a heavy ransom, was' newly appointed Kaid to maintain order in his distiict, and now wishes to confer with the Kaiser. Raisuli's safety in Tangier has been guaranteed.

The French newspapers have announced that, pi-ior to the French squadron's visit to Spithead, the British squadron will be feted at' Cherbourg in July.

Ths Times says that commercial freedom for all, the integrity of Morocco, and the development of order and security form the. basis of the French policy and the ba?is of the Anglo-French entente. The Morocco entente will shortly receive expression in the friendly meeting of the British and French Channel and North Sea squadrons.

March 51. The Moors have giv-en the Kaiser a tremendous reception. France is greatly moved, especially over M. Taillander's mission, which was told to wait.

April 1.

The Kaiser stated : '' My task is to uphold in a free country the Fatherland's interests. There must be no preponderating influence here.'

The Kaiser was two hours at Tangier — mainly spent in a reception at the Legation. He received the Moorish Minister of War most cordially.

Replying to an adc&reps from German residents, lie declared 1 that he had come to pssert the principle tliat German commercial and economic interests ought, together with the Sultan's sovereignty and Morocco's integrity, be maintained intact. He trusted it would be so.

It is reported that the Kaiser spoke even more emphaticalty. It was noticed that he spoke strenuously with the Sultan's uncle.

Raisuh's brother headed the tribesmen's guard at the Legation.

April 3. French Tangier advices state that the Kaiser remaiked to the Sultan's uncle that great precautions -were needed in executing reforms considering the religious feeling of the population, lest public order should be disturbed.

Two Moors implicated in the murder of Herr Genthe have been imprisoned for life. The Sultan of Morocco has compensated the family, and erects a monument over the grave.

The consensus of opinion in France is calm, but firm, over the Morocco incident. It looks to Britain for moral support.

Spanish newspapers remark that the emente o'i the Western Poweis has been unmistakably ibtrengthened.

The briefness of hh visit is attributed in. Parii to tlie Kaisei's information that European opinion outs.i<ta Uemumy i-> hostile to German intfvfoi-encf.

Some 3}jMti-h newspapers e'epreeate the German rewspnppi-s* nggr-^siv^ne.^ in (onspiring x.v make polit.i al capital out of the visit. Others t-how th it the Kai'-n's alarms are yv<Hind"v£,--, a-s M. Dekcis--( l s fjjooi h testified.

PARIS. Apiil 1

In the Ponatc M. Duk-asse stated that tiio agreements with Britain, and Spain 'ei.o.inioed France's special position in

Morocco, but assured all nations coinmecial equality under Morocco's treaties, which were intact. The Anglo-French Treaty, at the very outset, was expounded to tli3 Sultan. As evidence thereof a loan was contracted in France. Tho Moorish Government realised the need for French assistance in restoring order and the execution of indispensable reforms, and solicited it several times. They were assmed of France's goodwill and were aware of France's st length. (France was determined, without impairing any interest, to assure -her future in ilia "western b?sin of the Mediterranean.

April 3. The Debats says Germany's new attitude will increase France's difficulties by encouraging Morocco to resist all attempts at a peaceful penetration of the country, but unexpected obstacles ought to encou rage France to persevere fianlv.