THE MOROCCO AGREEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1280, 8 November 1911, Page 7

THE MOROCCO AGREEMENT.

FRANCE AND GERMANY SATISFIED. Uy TclcEraph-l'ross As«mci.ition -Copyright Paris, November li. The Prime Minister, M. Caillaux, slates that the guiding principle of the negotiations between Germany and France in connection with tho Moroccan question was that tho positions to be occupied in Central Africa cou'd not be regarded as final. It was a far-sighted policy, for many European Powers would bo propared to exchange territory. The agreement was entirely satisfactory to France and Germany. It would release Morocco iTom tiio heaviest mortgages with which it was burdened. France, subject to the condition respecting economic equality, could now extend her action over a country more vast, fertile, and populous than Algeria or Tunis. SOME FURTHER PROVISIONS. (Rec. November 7, 9.1(1 p.m.) Berlin, November 7. Germany is pledged not to interl'ero with the Franco-Spanish negotiations regarding Morocco. IVance promises not to oppose Ger•many's ultimate acquisition of Spanish Guinea', Corisco, and Eloby Islands; moreover, Franco's reversionary rights in tho Congo Stato are to be waived in favour of any ultimate settlement by all tho Powers interested. ' GERMAN PRESS COMMENT. (Rec. November 7, 9.40 p.m.) Berlin, November 7. Tho criticisms of the agreement mostly follow party lines. Tho Socialists and Pan-Germans miito on different grounds in eulogising the independence of Iterr von Lindequist, Minister for the Colonies, and Professor Danckelman, in resigning their posts. The Radicals argue that now is the opportunity to strike a blow for. responsible, and even Parliamentary, Government. The Chauvinists deeply mistrust Dr. Solf, who has been appointed Minister for tho Colonies provisionally. GERMAN POLICY IN MOROCCO. FRENCH JOURNAL'S ANALYSIS. In its general lines, says a writer in tho Paris "Gaulois," German policy in Morocco has been guided spasmodically by two different principles; in tho first Elace, by a realistic policy aiming at dcnite and immediate profits; secondly, by a general policy aiming at European hegemony. In 1860 Germany, having no interests in Morocco, ordered its representative at tho i Council of Madrid to regulate his attitude by that of his French colleague. Twenty-live years later the Emperor landed at Tangier to affirm the existence of German interests in Morocco. In the interval Germany had risen from the twentieth place to the third in Moroccan commerce, and it seems that the first motive for her intervention v/es territorial aggrandisement, but this object has continually lieen defeated by the exigencies of her general policy. The Colonial party has continually demanded the occupation of Morocco, and in I'JOl actually suggested that the first landing should bo made at Agadir. Prince Bulow, however, regarded Morocco as an opportunity of cheeking the system of ententes prepared by M. Doleasso, and therefore took his stand on tho question of principle. At Vigo the Emperor assured tho King of Spain that he was seeking no territorial advantage in Morocco. M. Rouvier, in May, 11)05, offered Germany harbours in Morocco or a financial agreement in Turkey, but I'rinco Bulow remained uncompromising. After the Act of Algeciras, which had proved the streugth of the PicncU alliatius i»ith Russia and uf tho entente with England, there followed a policy of pinpricks which ,as it was equally unprofitable to both sides, ended in the agreement of 190!). This agreement, however, produced no result, and the situation was entirely changed by tho French expedition to Fez. This expedition was followed in Germaiiy with close attention combined with tho liopo that if Franco went beyond the Act of Algeciras it would be possible to return to a policy of practical realisation and claim a share of tho spoil. ' On the strength of this idea a gunboat was sent to Agadir, the key of the Sus, but Count WoliT-Metternieh, tho German Ambassador in London, met with such a reception from Sir Edward Grev that tho next day ho sent the Councillor of the Embassy to him to declare that Germany had no intention of conquest, and only wished to settlo by moans of a permanent agreement with Franco tho newsituation created in Morocco by recent events. Germany, tho article proceeds, then claims compensation in tho Congo, but reluctant to abandon Morocco, endeavours to retain over it a political mortgago by depriving tlio Sultan of the rights previously recognised to him of the control and direction of the public services, and by demanding a privileged economic position. Despite tho inconsistencies of this policy, Germany will, if an agreement is concluded, score a definite success, since she will obtain a territory equal to half the area of France simply becanso she possesses tho inestimable advantage o-f being the most recent conqueror in Europe.