FRANCE AND MOROCCO.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1117, 3 May 1911, Page 5

FRANCE AND MOROCCO.

WARNING BY GERMANY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Berlin, May 1. The newspaper "Norddeutsche Allegemeino Zeitung," tho semi-official organ of the Government, publishes the test of an official warning to France regarding the consequences of any wrong action on her part in Morocco. The warning expresses the hope that events will enable France to keep to her programme not to occupy Fez. "The independence of the Sultan is. an essential feature of tho Act of Algeciras, and a breach of it would restore to all the Powers freedom of action in Morocco." The Austrian Foreign Office has given a similar warning. POSITION IN FEZ. London, May 1. Reports from Fez state that up to April 23 there had been no further attacks by tho rebels. Somo of the principal beleaguering tribes aro quarrelling among themselves. It is estimated that, including Major Bremond's force, there are four thousand loyalist troops in Fez. By the Ansrlo-French Agreement, April 8, 1004, the French Government declared that they had no intention of altering tho political status of Morocco, and the British Government recognised that it nppertained to France to preserve order in that country, and to provide assistance for the purpose of all administrative, economic, financial, and military reforms which it may require, provided that tho treaty rights of Great Britain, including the right of coasting trade between the ports of Morocco enjoyed by British vessels since 1901, were left intact, and that British commerce, including goods in transit through French territory and destined for tho Moorish market, were treated on a footing of absolute equality with that of France. In order to seouvo the free passage of the Straits of Gibraltar, the two Governments agreed not to permit, nor to undertake, the construction of fortifications on the Moorish coast between Melilla and the River Sebr., excepting the places occupied by Spain. The Iwo Governments took into, special consideration the interests of Spain in Morocco, and the French Government undertook to come to an understanding with the Spanish Government in regard to them, and to communicate such Agreement to the British Government. The Agreement was made binding for 30 years, with provisions for the extension of the period for (ive years at a time. Spain concluded a similar agreement with France in October, 390-1. In consequence of Germany's dissatisfaction with these agreements, to which she was not a party, a strained situati-jiL arose, and finally a'u Internationl Conference met at Algeciras (January 16, 1906), and an Agreement was signed (April 7).