The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1908. THE NEW SULTAN OF MOROCCO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2369, 9 December 1908, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1908. THE NEW SULTAN OF MOROCCO.

The triumph of Mulai ILafkl is now complete, as he has been formally recognised by the European Powers as Sultan of Morocco in place of Abd-ul-Aziz, whom he has - deposed. Writing upon the position just after the Pretender, as ho was then called, had so dramatically (routed Abd-ul-AzizTs army, the London Spectator explained matters thus:—“The attitude of the Powers towards the now Sultan has now to be considered. It lias often been said that Mulai Hafid is well disposed towards foreigners, and the fact that he sent a, delegation to the Powers proves that he understands the value of tlieir support. On the other hand, he probably-would never have been proclaimed if he had not been looked upon as the champion of Morocco for the jieople of Morocco, whereas liis brother was held to have sold his soul xo the foreigner. How will Mulai Hafid be able to reconcile these two conditions—the Holy War passion of his people which swept him up to the throne, and the absolute need of the help of Europe which is the very object of that hatred? So far as the signs go at present, Mulai Hafid means to deal openly with Europe, and trust to his skill, or good luck, in appeasing his people. It is fortunate for him that lie has the services of Jill Menebhi, who can mediate between Europe, which he understands, and' his own country, which he loves, as perhaps no other man in Morocco could. El Menebhi is bravo and wise, and is trusted by every European in Tangier ; he is liked as a sportsman by Englishmen, and as an engaging personality by all. If Abd-ul-Aziz had not been persuaded to get rid of him years ago, when lie was Minister of War, the civil war might have ended differently now. But before Surope enters into official relations with Mulai Hafid lie must, of course, make it perfectly plain what his intentions are. Europe will not appeal to him; lie must appeal to Europe. He must formally accept the Algeciras Act—tlio Times” correspondent at Tangier says that he has already written to the Legations that lie is willing to do so—and he must take over such obligations of his defeated brother as the Powers think necessary. Of course Mulai Hafid may find the more fanatical of liis subjects intractable, and a new Pretender may arise to preach yet another Holy War; instead of directing the storm, Mulai Hafid may find that ill© storm directs him. But it he is a man of sense, as he is said to bo, he must run these unavoidable risks, for the country is almost bankrupt, and a helping hand from Europo can alone’save it. Some people seem hastily to have assumed that the Act of Algeciras will bo cancelled, and a new instrument lie substituted for it. We earnestly hope that nothing of the sort will be attempted. The Algcciras Act, which emerged from ia period of perilous quarrelling, expresses well enough the sense of Europe. A now Algeciras Conference might end disastrously; and even if it did not, wo should expect from it no better compromise than we have got. jail that is needed now is friendly communications among the Powers, without any fuss, as to transferring the agreement made at Algeciras bodily to the new circumstances. And then Mulai Hafid, if he gives the guaran-_ tees of which we have spoken, would be recognised, not by any one Power, but by all the Powers at tlio same moment. V Evidently the new Sultan lias been able to satisfy Europe as to the pacific nature of his intentions and of his desire,to rule his country in harmony with foreign interests, and as a result wo may expect to find the little country that has been so greatly unsettled of bvfe make steady and permanent progress.