THE QUESTION OF MOROCCO.
LTO Till EDITOR OF TIIII "SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—The author of this article in your issue of May 13th drew attention to the Moroccan question as one of import to diplomatists more serious even than that of French neutrality in Far Eastern waters. Its solution, he says, depends upon an unknown factor : the secret policy of the German Emperor. What may be the aims of this policy it is, of course, impossible to predict ; but it may be permissible to say that Morocco, with its ill-defined boundaries and absence of central govern- ment, offers exceptional opportunities to a Sovereign who may desire to find a fulcrum for the lever of his external policy. As all who have travelled in the country will agree, Morocco is nothing if not a land of surprises. Though making no pretence at special information, I am personally inclined to look for the next surprise in store for the world along that strip of country which runs south and south-west of Mogador, and for these reasons. The British Foreign Office has recognised the boundary of Morocco as extending so far south as the Wad Draa,—about a day's journey south of Wad Noon. The German Foreign Office does not recognise the authority of the Sultan as extending to this limit. A practical instance of this was given when our Government agreed to the trial and punishment of the British members of a filibustering expedition against Morocco in 1898, while their German comrade was allowed to go free, and at the time of the trial another expedition was being fitted out in Hamburg! Some hundred and fifty miles further south down the coast than the Wad Draa comes Cape Juby. This would, still less than Erksees, be considered a part of the Sultan's dominions by Germany. Yet a few years ago the Sultan asserted his sovereign rights by "buying out" a British trading company which was established there, to avoid complications with tho neighbouring tribesmen, and the "factory" was closed. It may be possible, it seems, that Erksees, in the Sus, which is about one hundred and forty miles due east of the Canary Islands, or, better still, Cape Juby, only sixty miles distant, may be among the German points objectifs. The latter harbour is described as being the only safe one on the coast for a distance of hundreds of miles, and the most important and shortest route through Wadan to Wasiak Timbuctoo, Gundam, and Sego. It seems not unreasonable to suggest that the addition to the German Empire of a sea-port or two, perhaps a "lease" of some of this debatable territory, and access to the Hinterland of Morocco on the south-east side may be among the memoranda which Count Tattenbach has made in his pocket-book.—I am, Sir, &c., TENDOUF.
Previous page
