The Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1911. THE MOROCCO DEAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10303, 7 November 1911, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1911. THE MOROCCO DEAL.

Roth Franco and Germany have done well for themselves in the Morocco deal. The end of the long negotiations is that France gets a lree hand in Morocco and pays a pvottv stiff price for it. The whole business shows that France proposed to the Powers that she should be permitted to establish something, very like a protectorate over the country of the Moors and that Germany was the only one that offered objection. Germany, therefore, had to be bought off. Tho protracted negotiations and all tho talk of war arose out of a difference of opinion as to the "compensation" that France should pay to Germany for the loss oft rights which Germany never possessed, and which, in any case, it was morally not within the province of France to grant or refuse. Strictly speaking, Germany is better off in regard to Morocco than she would have been if France had not bought her out. She has the right to trade freely in the country, which will be protected and policed by guards provided at French expense. Her subjects arc secured against interference in mining and trading, and the Mannesmanns are in a safer position than ever in regard to the mining concessions on account of which Germany sent a cruiser to Agadir. All the Powers stand to gain by the French_ protectorate over Morocco, provided, of course, an "open door" policy, is maintained and no restrictions are placed on trade. Morocco' ,is capable of indefinite development under a strong administration, capable of keeping the tribes in check, and the European Powers will find the country a market of increasing value. France lias the privilege of supervising the administration, maintaining order and enforcing law, and as compensation she will have whatever profit accrues to the party in possession. The precise value of the " compensation " received by Germany cannot be estimated from the rather indefinite cabled accounts. Extensive territories have been ceded to her by France in the French Congo, the intention evidently being to add to the German Cameroons in such a way as to provide better transport facilities by river and probably to include a good workable port. France retains the right of passage over the Congo, Übanghi and Logone rivers, and will be at liberty to approach the Lake Chad region either by way of these streams or through the present German territories. Evidently railway construction into the interior is contemplated by both Powers in this region, for that matter has been men-

tioned during the course of the negotiations ia terms suggesting that it was of particular importance.