The somewhat sombre view of the new Tangier Agreement which
we expressed a fortnight ago has unfortunately been substantiated. The official text of the Convention has been published, but it does nothing to clear up the obscure phrases which had previously been employed, except in so far as it deepens the impression that the English demands have been met in form, the French in substance, and the Spanish neither in form nor in substance. The first results of what has been described as " this triumph of the old diplomacy " are beginning to appear. In Tangier itself there is no enthusiasm for the new status, which, even if it becomes operative, is both complicated and vague, while the refusal up till now of Spain to sign the Convention is regarded as ominous. In Spain itself the Military Directory is obviously in doubt as to whether to ratify the Convention or not. The censorship has been raised and the Press is allowed to discuss the problem. Apparently all the important papers advise the Government against signing, El Sol going so far as to say that Spain has nothing to lose by the Tangier problem remaining unsolved, and every- thing to lose by accepting internationalization. The desertion of Spain by Great Britain is commented on rather bitterly, and the only argument in favour of signing is that Spain seems in a hopeless position in face of France and Great Britain. Italy, of course, is perhaps more bitter still, since she was excluded from the Convention.
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