The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1907. THE TROUBLE IN MOROCCO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2162, 19 August 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1907. THE TROUBLE IN MOROCCO.

The present unsettled state of Morocco and the heavy loss of life which has resulted from the operations ill Casablanca may justly bo regarded as tbo direct outcome of German interference. Until about seven years ago Morocco was ruled by a strong mail, the Vizier Ba Ahmed, who carried on the traditions of the late Sultan, Mou la iel Hassan. From the European point of view, his methods were barbarous, but he kept the Moors within bounds. They were made to respect the Government, to pay their taxes, and to preserve inviolate the persons and property of foreign residents. There was no talk of rebellion in those days. • Upon his death, the young Sultan Abd-el-Aziz. who is about 26 years of age, took charge of the administration. As lie is an amiable weakling, he lias been completely ait the mercy of whatever faction happened at any moment to ho predominant. Sympathising himself with W T estern ideas, lie has lacked the force of character to carry out reforms. His aimless toying with European innovations lias irritated liis Moslem subjects and inflamed their passions against both himself and foreigners. Rebellion after rebellion Iras occurred. The prevailing anarchy lias not only endangered the lives and the trade of Europeans in Morocco itself, b at— it has been a constant -menace to tlio peace of all Mohammedan North Africa. Religious excitement spreads rapidly among the followers of the Prophet, and it cannot be allowed freo play in Morocco without risk to Algeria and the Soudan. Under these circumstances Franco, whose interests in Morocco were greater than that of any other European power, was willing to take the responsibility of keeping order, and at the samo time to keep Alorocian ports open for commerce. Great Britain, in concluding the entente cordiale, promised to support it, and Spain, the only other power with any substantial right to bo consulted, raised no objection. All was going well. France would gradually have acquired, through “peaceful penetration” and by the consent of Great Britain and Spain, the necessary authority for keeping order in Morocco. Germany, however, was determined to test the reality of the entente cordiale, and if possible to give France a rebuff, so it insisted upon holding an international conference over Moroccan affairs. France gave way; the conference was held at Algeciras; and the justice of the French claim to predominancy in Morocco was virtually acknowledged by the public opinion of the world. Unfortunately. Germany has not given cordial sup-port-to the undertaking arrived at by the conference, although subscribing to its findings, and there lias been a pronounced feeling amongst the antiFrench party in Morocco that in the event of trouble they could command support from the Kaiser. As matters have turned out Germany lias so far taken no steps to hinder Franco from having a Iree hand in restoring order at Casablanca, and had the outbreak simply had a local significance it would probably have ended shortly in a satisfactory manner. Unfortunately the latest reports indicate the possibility of a general Mohammedan rising, and this would naturally bo a- very serious matter ' for Euopeau interests throughout Northern Africa.