MOROCCAN CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1170, 4 July 1911, Page 5

MOROCCAN CRISIS.

GERMANY'S NEW MOVE. MEASURE NOT AIMED AT FRENCH POLICY. ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS. By Telegraph—Press AssodatioD—Oopyriehl (Rec. July 3, 9.10 p.ui.) Berlin, July 3. Tho "Cologne Gazette," in a leading article, states that the .sending of tho gunboat Panther to Agadir has caused a profound impression, but tho developments in Morocco has forced Germany into action as the situation in that country had gradually become chaotic, and tho Sultan's authority had gone. 'l'he confusion in tho north, in tho vicinity of tho capital, had led to great excitement in the south. France and Spain 'were transgressing the Act of Algcciras, and had established stations in tho interior. It was natural for Germany to accede to her subjects' demand for protection. Tho measuro was not aimed at Morocco, and not intended as a counter stroke to French and Spanish action. Germany did not intend to establish herself permanently at Agadir, but the protection to German countrymen would not be withdrawn until order was restored. The "Cologne Gazette" denies that it is Germany' 6 intention to land troops at Agadir at present, and adds that it is not intended to occupy the hinterland.

A LITTLE RATTLING OF THE SABRE, SUGGESTION BY "THE TIMES." London, July 3. "The Times" states, while regretting Germany's step at Agadir as calculated to lead to a bad interpretation, it declines to take the visit of a gunboat to a desolate Moroccan port too seriously. .It suggests that the demonstration is intended to divert attention in Germany now that a general election is approaching, and that perhaps it is deemedv expedient to appeal to the Chauvinists by a little gentle rattling of the sabre beforehand. The "Daily Chronicle" fears that the intervention will have a disturbing effect on -the international situation, which, except for the internal troubles afflicting Turkey, has long been unruffled. It considers that Germany is too profuse in assurances, and that the pretenco as to 'her largo commercial stake in Morocco is not very convincing. Great Britain has unreservedly acknowledged France's predominant interest in Morocco, and Germany has long been itching for a finger in tho Moroccan pie. Spain and, Germany aro acting as though ' a partition were impending, but the Sultan Mulai Hafid, is still in the saddle. If a partition comes, Great Britain will have something to say. Self-restraint on all sides, adds the "Chronicle," is neoessary to prevent tlie situation from developing in an ugly way. The influence of Sir Edward Grey at the British Foreign Office will assuredly be extended in favour of a just and pacific settlement.

FRENCH PRESS TEMPERATE

FOLLY OF PROVOKING' GERMANY. (Rec. July 3, 11.5 p.m.) Paris, July 3. Tho comments in tho press on the Moroccan situation are temperate. vlt is argued that Germany has intervened in the hope of. holding a strong position in the discussion of tho Moroccan question. One journal suggests that Germany is disappointed at France's pacification of Morocco, and seeks to rtopen the whole question. The "Temps" criticises the French Government's forbearanco regarding Spain's landing of troops, which it says is causing a gradual suspicion in Berlin that Franco and Spain have a secret understanding aiming at tho partition of Morocco. The'"Temps" assumes that a French cruiser will proceed to Agadir to safeguard the peace of the interior. Tho journal also advocates that Spain should be informed that she has broken her engagements, and that thus France will resume her freedom and come to an understanding with third parties. The "Debats" says tho difficulty with Germany has reached an acute stage. The question is a political, and not a jurisdictional, one, Tho writer warns tho other newspapers of the folly of provoking Germany to send more ships. It is high time, it urges, to study the whole Moroccan question with coolness and logic. A system of military expeditions is bound to make trouble with Germany.

M. Etienne, the well-known colonial authority in the Chamber of Deputies, on being interviewed, said ho was convinced that France would send an early, protost to Berlin. He added that Britain would not delay following France's example, if she does not precede her.

M. Caillaux, the Premier, has temporarily assumed tho portfolio of Foreign Affairs, as M. do Selves, the new Foreign Minister, is accompanying President Fallieres on his visit to Holland. . "PAINFULLY SURPRISED." FRENCH VIEW OF GERMANY'S ACTION. Paris, Tuly 2. Tho roport of German intervention in Morocco came aS a bolt from tho b'.uo within an liour of the semi-official announcement that the, Franco-Spanish differences rospccting Morocco had been settled. M. de Selves, Foreign Minister, has informed Baron voii Schoeu, tho German Ambassador to France, that public opinion will be painfully surprised at Germany's action in Morocco. Ho regretted that an obstacle had been placed in the way of tho friendly conversations desired by both countries concerning Morocco.

Later M. de Selves received M. Jules Cambon; French Ambassador in Berlin, who also was greatly surprised at Germany's action, describing it as totally unexpected.

SPAIN NOT ILL-PLEASED. CRITICAL DAYS COMING. (Rec. - July 3, 9.40 p.m.) ! Madrid, July 3. The newspapers approve Germany's action at Agadir as the logical outcomo of what they describe as the "Tunissifieation" of Morocco. They justify similarly tho Spanish occupation of Alcazar. Germany's intervention is represented as likely to hasten a fresh international solution, and meanwhilo Spain is neutral, inasmuch as Agadir is outside the Spanish zone. The "Dinrio Universal," which is a semi-official newspaper, remarks that Germany's action was a great surprise. Tho occupation of Agadir is more prejudicial to Great Britain than to any other nation, yet it did not imply tho beginning of a series of conquests. Germany's action was legal, and confirms the right and duty of Powers having interests to dofend to do so without leaving their protection to the mercy of the French voto. The "Diario"- adds that Germany,

nevertheless, will not constitute the only now factor, t ns Britain is another and not a less influential and powerful one. It is doubtful whether Britain will regard the matter in tho same light as Spain. Critical days are approaching, and it is to bo hoped that all concerned will display wisdom and calmness. GERMAN ENTHUSIASM. A LEAD IN THE ROAD. (Rec. July 1, 0.25 a.m.) Berlin, July 3. The majority of the newspapers comment on tho intervention in Morocco favourably, and some with enthusiasm. Tho "liheinischo Westfaolischo Zeitung" exclaims, "Hurrah! A lead we can follow on the road the French have travelled! If they undertake to establish order in Morocco, so can we." Tho journal adds that tho French can still come to an agreement. Otherwise tho dispatch of the gunboat Panther may havo the effect of the Ems telegram. GERMAN INTERESTS AT AGADIR. EXTENSIVE PROPERTIES. Berlin, July 2. The "Cologne Gazette" states that largo cultivated tracts in tho vicinity of Agadir and far into the hinterland talong to German firms. Tho property of one alone equals in size a principality. Another firm employs one hundred and twenty persons, including sixty commercial agents, who are German proteges. German trade with Southern Morocco, tho "Gazette" says, has latterly greatly expanded. The bulk of such goods, though appearing in statistics as British, were imported and exported by German firms, via England. The paper adds that Germany is also considerably interested in mining in the hinterland. TWO POWERS CHALLENGED. London, July 2. Tho "Observer" notes that Arzila, which has been occupied by German troops, is within the Spanish sphere of occupation, while tho occupation of Agadir is a direct challenge to France. GERMAN TROOPS DISEMBARK. Madrid, July 2. It is officially reported that five 'hundred German troops have disembarked at Agadir.