We do not doubt that the French Government, whose intentions
arc essentially pacific, will do their best to keep matters quiet on the frontier; but if they are actually attacked it is hardly possible that they will be able to stand on the defensive. That is to say, they will be obliged to follow the raiders into Moorish territory, and thus become involved in operations which may lead to an actual campaign in Morocco, and a campaign which possibly they will not be able to confine to the Algerian frontier. If, for example, it appeared that the Moorish Government were indirectly, but substantially, sup- porting the tribes on the frontier, it might become obligatory on France to take naval action at the Mediterranean and Atlantic ports. It is only necessary to state this possibility to show how serious the situation might become, and how great are the dangers involved.
