But the reactions of a Moroccan disaster would not be
confmed to Spain alone. France is watching the progress of affairs with the closest election. Already she asserts—and asserts rightly—that Spain has violated her international obligations by withdrawing her occu- pation of the Riff country. Should Spain be driven further back still, so that the Riffs can reach the coast and threaten Tangier itself, the whole question of the ownership of the Southern Littoral to the Straits of Gibraltar would be again in flux. It is said that in France there is a battle being fought out between the 'conflicting views of the Radicals and Socialists who would like to see an international settlement, and the French-colonial interests, headed by Marshal Lyautey, which still dream of rounding off the French North African colony by the occupation of the whole of Morocco. The situation is well worth the closest attention by this country—and doubtless is receiving it.
Previous page
