The French Government are again in trouble about Morocco. The
Maghzen at Fez has rejected their representa- tion about the Algerian recently arrested, and repeats its determination to consider any offending Mussulman, whether protected by the Capitulations or not, if he resides in Morocco, a subject of the Sultan. It pleads, in fact, the Asiatic idea that religion, and not birthplace, is the condition for nationality. As neither France nor Europe can tolerate that assumption, the French will, it is asserted, move troops across the Algerian frontier to Ujda, where their incursion will at once revive the hopes of the recently defeated Moroccan Pretender. They are, however, still suspicious of the designs of Germany, and inclined, before their troops move, to see the effect of the recall of their Minister from Fez, which may shock the Sultan into a more complaisant mood. The Sultan is very weak ; he is raising money, on the promise of his small loan from Germany, to expend in buying new distractions ; and the Maghzen is still in a most arrogant temper. Its members think that while Germany is still unsatisfied, and the Conference still in the future, they may safely defy France. They, indeed, have released the prisoner, but only on the pretext that he is ill; and they still adhere to their general contentions, and refuse either reparation or apology. They had not, however, when they signed their last despatch heard of the Peace in the Far East.
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