THE MOROCCAN CRISIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3275, 21 July 1911, Page 5

THE MOROCCAN CRISIS.

FRANCE AND GERMANY. a delicaiTsituation. “DEMANDS THAT ARE INCON—CEIVABLE.” [UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. (Received July 20, 11.35 • LONDON, July 2?.. Owing to the veto crisis, and perhaps more especially the sudden ‘delicate situ; ation between France and Germany regarding Morocco, Mr. Asquith’s intended visit to Edinburgh next Monday has been postponed. Tlie Cabinet to-morrow will consider the veto question and German demands. These amount to a complete cession by France of the coast and interior of French Congo for the Sanga River, also France’s contingent reversion in the Congo State. The suggested arrangement would add another two hundred thousand to the existing two hundred thousand square miles in the German Cameroons, while France would retain the hinterland of the French Congo. Communication thence to the Atlantic would be exclusively through German or Belgian territory. The “Times” Paris correspondent states that although it is not alleged on the German side that France is guilty of any contravention of the Algeciras Treaty or the agreement of February, 1909, Germany is demanding impossible compensation, which German statesmen are aware are not conceivable. The French Government could not for a moment entertain the so-call-ed compensation for withdrawing the warship from Agadir without relinquishing 'any valuable economic rights secured by Germany in Morocco in 1910, nor is there any word of German guarantee of any better fulfilment of her promise in 1907 not. to impede France’s acknowledged political interest in Morocco. Opinion is spreading that- Germany desires the French as a last resort to cede Agadir. This would satisfy the pan-German ambitions, and by directly compromising the British interest would greatly strain the Anglo-French, entente. “Le Temps” declares that if negotiations lead to a deadlock, France’s only course will be an appeal to the signatories to the Algeeiras Treaty.

“ AUDACIOUS BLUFF.” HAS GERMANY SHOWN HER HAND ? (Received July 21, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON. July 20. The “Times” regards the German demands as audacious bluff, and possibly not without electioneering aspects, but also believes that Germany has not yet shown her hand. The “Times” adds:— “Possibly the sending of one or two British ships to Agadir might hasten developments.”