THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7983, 10 March 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1906.

Recent cables have indicated that the position in regard to the Powars and Morocco, which is now being discussed at the Conference at Algeoiras is one of exceptional importance. The Conference has been extraordinarily protracted, and though cabie messages have at times suggested that relations between France and Germany were severely strained, the possibility of war between these two Powers does not seem to have been seriously entertained by the world at large. That, however, the position is not without itß serious possibilities may be gathered from the fact that Pranoe is determined to secure what she desires as a result of the Conference, and unless Germany "climbs down," there is no doubt that France is perfectly will-

ing, and prepared as well, it would seem from a spoeob recently made by M. Deloaase, to go to war. The situation to vr h ich we have referred has naturally attracted the attention of many leading journals ia European countries, and wc quote extracts relating to a question that is certainly one of considerable public interest. The Daily Chronicle (London) says:— Many of the question in dispute are thorny—especially those which will be raised by: German's desire to ibstitute an international control over the police and finances of Morooco. The policy of this country is perfectly clear, for it is prescribed in the AngloFrench Agreement. .By that instrument we are pledged to afford 'diplomatic support' to Prance 'to obtain the execution of the olauses regarding Morocco.' This will be the first grave matter which the new Foreign Secretary has to handle, and men of all parties feel confidence in Sir Edward Grey's fiankness, firmness and good sense. We hope that the tone of the Germau White Book may be taken as indicating that German policy at the Conference will be directed rather to obtaining a settlement in conoert with other Powers, than to accentuating differences and leaving dangerous questions still open." The Temps, j Paris, says: "The White Book shows that Germany did not adopt the best means for making good her claims, and that she is responsible for thß angry turn quickly taken by the incident. Between the approbatory silence at the outset and the Emperor William's] voyage to Tangier there was room for a serious and very animated, but very friendly, conversation. The White Book will not change the opinion of the French public on this point. People should not get too excited over the publication of the' White Book." The Giornale Rome, remarko: —"No one in Italy wants war, because ueaoe is indispensable to. the political and social interests of the country, leaving aside 1 altogether its state of military unpreparedness. But should the worst come, it would hot be a matter of choosing bewetvi war and peace, but between ivaj kinds of war. Should Italy side with Germany she would find herself faced by united France and Great Britain, and would have to reckon with the public frame of mind in Upper Italy. If, on the other hand, | she should cut herself loose from Germany she would immediately have Austria on Her hands. The Austrian Clerical Party has, for some time, entertained the idea of war with Italy as the means of drawing attention from internal troubles. The recent speeches of Prince Bulow contained a warning on this point. Are we ready to face war with Austria? That is a question which the Minister for War must answer." The Tangier correspondent of the Kolnische Zeitung says:— "It oan be no matter for surprise if Germany asserts her well-estab-lished claim to uphold the Madrid Convention and see her rights in Morooco protected. A French general mandate to restore order in Morocco and to regulate the affairs of that oountry would be tantamount to the surrender of, Morooco to j France, and the exclusion of all other nations. If Moroeoo has no means of making good her own wishes, she is at least fully entitled < to be heard, and to expect a great i deal from Europe's much-vaunted civilisation and Christianity." The Heraldo (Madrid) referring to the same question, ventures to remark that in supporting France, Spain defends its own interests, guaranteed by the Convention of Ootober 3rd, 1904. Anarchy in Moroeoo would involve us in constant danger. It seems natural for France—a Mussulman Power in that quarter, since she counts six million Mussulman Power in that quarter, since she counts six million Mussulman subjects in Algeria—to find herself obliged to guard her long frontier. Our in terests are common except than it devolves on Franoe, who is richer than we and has greater interests at stake, to look after the protecting of the frontier, which will be so much pure profit for us. Frankly, we do not envy • her the labour whioh this task implies. Supposing the conflict assumed a graver nature, is there anything to preI dispose us in favour of German susceptibilities?