MOROCCO.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 20, 8 September 1911, Page 8

MOROCCO.

SPAIN’S AIMS. An interesting statement with regard to Spanish aims was recently made to a representative of the “Temps” by Count Romanonos, the President of the Cortes. In his opinion, “too much importance is attached in France to speculations as to what may ho the character of the relations between Germany and Spain in Morocco,” and he added: “We are acting solely and entirely upon our own account. The whole of Spain is agreed in thinking that we cannot abandon the interests .which we possess in Morocco. The parties that are most hostile to war share this view. But can the Spanish operations in Morocco ho described as war? Upon what evidence can people say that Spain’s intentions are warlike? The military expedition must not he confused with the mission of civilisation which devolves upon Spain by treaty.” Although he believed' that the Algerians Act had failed in its purpose, Senor Romanonos felt convinced that, whatever other solution might ultimately he adopted, the Morocco question would in the end be settled without an appeal to arms. A COLONIAL BARGAIN. Both the Agadir incident and the Moroccan question considered as a great international issue .have, for the present, disappeared from view and Franco and Germany arc discussing a mainly “colonial” bargain (remarked the Paris correspondent of “The Times” on 21st July). In return for some fresh and this time presumably final declaration of disinteressement in Morocco Germany presents a hill which it appears includes both further security for the Moroccan interests which Germany is to retain and also “compensations” elsewhere. The amount and nature of this hill are now the main question. The hill is undoubtedly a big one, and it remains* to be seen first what may he. “written off” by negotiation, r>nd secondly how the bargain may effect other Powers in regard both to Morocco and to alterations of the map elsewhere. It is obvious that England has to regard both her Moroccan interests and her other African interests. The only known ground for German claims which can ho considered seriously is the alleged dilatoriness and lack of consideration which Fiance is supposed to have shown in regard to the joint “economic” operations contemplated by the FrancoGerman agreement of 190!). As France remains hound by the Algeciras Act and also, of course, by her published and unpublished treaty obligations to Spain, she has very little in Morocco to give away. For what she gives elsewhere she is presumably obtaining at least a reasonable certainty that Germany will really close the Moroccan account and not return to the attack.