MOROCCO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10196, 4 July 1911, Page 2

MOROCCO.

THI-] GERMAN INTERVENTION. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT. United Press Association—By Electric Telegra'pli—Copyright. (Received Julv 4, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON. July 3. Madrid's reports as to the actual landing of German troops is unconfirmed. Tlic '"'Daily News" denounces the iuiquitv of the threatened partition, but declares that not Germany, nor even Spain, has torn the Algeciras Act, but the incredible, short-sighted French aggression with the occupation of Fez. The paper says: "Our complaint must particularly bo addressed to Britain's apparent concurrence," and adds, "if France, Germany and Spain have agreed to partition Morocco, the worst outcome of the crisis seems inevitable. Moreover, we are likely to be uncompensated losers." The " Daily Mail" states that Morocco's internal danger is past, as the French will shortly retire to the coast, and no fresh intervention is needed, least of all in a locality where no European interests are threatened. But Agadir would make an excellent naval base, and in this way Germany has sprung a surprise on Europe.

The Standard" advocates a fresh friendly and conciliatory settlement, adding that if no troops have been landed there is no need for pessimism. The "Morning Post" in a pessimistic article says that although it does not anticipate that the peace of Europe will be disturbed, it declares that the Kaiser has not given orders to the Panther without calculating all tho possibilities and receiving the assurance that the navy is ready for any emergency. This fact should be a lesson to ourselves of the necessity for a reorganisation of the Admiralty for the purpose of qualifying it to give the Government trustworthy strategic advice, and of the Government for the purpose of enabling it to take such advice. THE AGADIR HINTERLAND. The newspapers recall that, during the vigorous campaign in Germany in 1910 on behalf of the brothers Mannesmann, who claimed that they had acquired immense mining concessions in the hinterland of Agadir, it v."as stated that Germany did not intend to support their claim, inasmuch as the validity of the concession was doubtful. This decision caused much resentment in a portion of the German Press. The " Kolnische Zeitung's " reference to the property as being as large as a principality is interpreted as referring to the Mannesmaun case.