The Madrid correspondent of the Times states that the stories
of an agreement between the Sultan of Morocco and the Spanish Government are fictions invented to soothe the pride of the Spanish people, who are morbidly excited over the quarrel. The Sultan has received Marshal Martinez
Campos at Fez with the greatest respect, and is willing to concede all minor points ; but he utterly rejects the demand for a million sterling of compensation, declaring that he had not instigated the action of the Riff mountaineers, and that had time been allowed him, he would have punished them for himself. He therefore will not pay one penny. The Envoys of the remaining Powers are, however, urging him to avoid another war with Spain, and it is probable that if the -demand is lowered, he will consent to some compromise. If he does not, the Spanish Government will be in a serious dilemma. It neither desires a war, nor thinks itself justified in waging one; but it is quite unable to resist a surge of popular fury, excited by the idea that the honour of Spain has been betrayed. If a war is finally declared, Spain can do nothing except seize Tangier, and thus re-open one of the most dangerous of European questions. Perhaps, under the circumstances, the cosiest course for the Sultan would be to acknowledge a debt of half-a-million to the Spanish Government, secured, mot on the customs of Tangier, but on the revenue of the territory behind Melilla. Spanish honour would then be satisfied, and nobody would lose anything, for the Sultan would leave the debt owing, and the territory is not worth seizing.
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