M. Bourgeois, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, opened a
debate on the Algeciras Conference in the Chamber on Thursday with a remarkably able and dispassionate state- ment. –He emphasised the .essential continuity of French policy in Morocco, and declared that the object of the Con- ference was to reconcile certain generally admitted principles —the Sultan's sovereignty, the integrity of Morocco, and freedom of trade—with the special interests and rights which it was France's duty to claim and make good. Reviewing the provisions of the Acts General, he contended that the main difficulties had been adjusted in accordance with French declarations and interests, and that a settlement had been reached on a basis of mutual concessions, in which Germany as well as France took her share. He noted with satisfaction that France's special position in Morocco had been acknowledged since the Conference by Prince Billow, and concluded by declaring that the outcome of the Conference had been a compromise honourable to all concerned, and cordially acknowledging "the conciliatory interventions of Italy, the United States, and Austria-Hungary, the mutual confidence constantly uniting France and Spain, and, finally, the unflinching firmness with which the constant ally of France—Russia—and England, her equally faithful friend, unremittingly supported the justice of the French cause." After a short debate the credits were unanimously agreed to.
