THE MOROCCAN AFFAIR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 56, 20 October 1911, Page 3

THE MOROCCAN AFFAIR.

the “FABLE OF A RETREAT BE- ' FORE BRITAIN.” The reopening of negotiations in Berlin (Reuter’s correspondent states) is heralded by an outburst of loading articles, the most significant of which is an obviously inspired announcement in the “Lokalanzeiger.” This journal asserts in a most positive way that there was never any question of the acquisition of territory in Morocco by Germany. It says:— With that the fable .of a German retreat before Britain falls to the ground. The lion’s roar of English Ministers is known for what it is—cheap rodomontade, intended to create effect at home and, abroad, but especially at home, , for the .Government was greatly in need of moral reinforcement at the moment, since one of the chief Conservative reproaches against Liberals is that they lack firmness in foreign affairs. The slow, dragging length of the negotiations and the silence of : thc Wilhclmstrasse appeared to*'lend colour tq the theory of a German' retreat before British threats; r i With regard to official silence the requisite enlightenment will perhaps bo forthcoming later. The journal narrates the history of the affair. The Panther, it says, was sent to Agadir not in the fulfilment of a long-thought-out plan, 'out quite suddenly as the consequence of an appeal from endangered German merchants in the Sus country, as was proved by the choice of 1 a homeward-bound vessel in- urgent need of overhauling. France then inquired confidentially of Berlin what other intention German had besides those officially announced. The was none. Then • came• the '•negotiations. France insisted that the agreement of 1909 covered ' all !Moroccan questions, hut Germany maintained that the agreement had lost its force, because it was based : upon* ! the Algeciras Act, which France had broken. The first weeks of 'duly were occupied with the discussion 1 of this point, the French) oply gradually accustoming themselves to the idea that they would- have to pay for Germany’s consent. Next came ! "the question of compensation. ’life French position is now that as Germany has declared the agreement of' 1909 ’ void) a new treaty must contain 'the most precise stipulation defining the future relation of the two v Powcrs. The Germans make the -same demand, having found that their merchants and proteges had not always received the equality of treatment secured to them by the agreement.'' v The persistent enmity of England is the keynote of most of the other articles