Crisis in Morocco

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 9, 5 July 1911, Page 5

Crisis in Morocco

GERMANY'C ACTION. BRITISH PRESS CRITICISM. By Cable. —Press Associa,tion.—Copyright London, July 3. The reports from Madrid as to the actual landing of German troops are not confirmed.

The Daily News denounces the iniquity of the threatened partition of Morocco, but declares that not Germany nor even Spain has torn up the Algeciras Act, but the incredibly shortsighted aggression of France with the occupation of Fez. Our complaint must particularly be addressed against Britain's apparent concurrence in this action. The Daily News adds: If France, Germany and Spain have agreed to the partition, the worst outcome of the crisis seems inevitable. Moreover, we arc likely to be uncompensated losers. The Daily Mail states that the internal danger in Morocco is past, a (id the French will shortly retire to the coast.No fresh intervention is needed, least of all in a locality where no European interests are threatened. But Agadir would make an excellent naval base, ajid in this way Germany has sprung a surprise on Europe.

The Standard advocates a fresh friendly and conciliatory settlement, adding that if no troops have been landed there is no need for pessimism. The Morning Post publishes a pessimistic article, although it doe.s not anticipate that the peace of Europe will be disturbed. It declares that the Kaiser has not given orders to the Panther without calculating all the possibilities and receiving the assurance that the navy is ready for any emergency. The fact should be a lesson to ourselves of the necessity for the reorganisation of the Admiralty for the purpose of qualifying it to give the Government trustworthy stragetic advice on its proposals, and enabling the Government to take such advice.

The newspapers recall that (luring the vigorous campaign in Germany in 1910 on behalf of the brothers Mannesmann, who claimed that they had acquired immense mining concessions in the hinterland of Agadir, it was stated that Germany did not intend to support their claim, inasmuch as the validity of the concession was doubtful. This decision caused much resentment in a portion of the German press. The Kolenische Zeitung's reference to a property as large as a principality is interpreted as apply to the Mannesmann case. GERMANY AND THE POWERS. PANTHER TO HE REPLACED. Received 5, 1 a.m. London, July 4. Germany lias notified all the signatories to the Algec'.ras Agreement simultaneously of the "anther's arrival at Agadir. In accordance with the Algeciras convention, the authorities at Agadir lately declined to allow several Europeans, including Germans, to acquire land. The Panther will short 1" lie replaced by a cruiser equipped with wireless.