majority of men where the potash goes. It makes a great difference to the French investor if the profits on the working of Moroccan iron ore go to Germany instead of Republican France!.
MOROCCO.
Those who contend that Republicanism is a more pacific form of government than a Monarchy, must prove that had France been a kingdom during the Moroccan dispute, she would have shown less regard for German interests than the Republic actually displayed. What was the origin of the dispute over Morocco, that brought Europe to the brink of wax in 1911? France withdrew from the dual control of Egypt, giving Britain a free hand in that country, on the understanding that we did not interfere with the French claims in Morocco. No one in Morocco was consulted at any time. A secret clause in the agreement bound Great Britain to give diplomatic support to France, if she deemed it necessary to occupy Morocco. At an earlier date the Sultan had borrowed money from a German firm, and in discharge of the debt, gave a concession to the lenders authorising them to work mines in Morocco. Ordinary trade—goods manufactured abroad exchanging with Moroccan produce—is of the smallest possible dimensions. The exploitation of the mines and the transmission of minerals abroad, yields no return to the unhappy natives, except the possible payment of meagre wages. If the mines of Morocco were to be exploited, no sound reason van be advanced why the capitalists of all nations should not share in the process. But the French conceived their claim to be superior to all others, and relying on the assurance of British support, proceeded to establish a military occupation. Germany insisted that Great Britain and France could not rightly decide the future of Morocco without consultation with the European Powers. In 1910 the dispute seemed to approach settlement. An arrangement was made between France and Germany that the finance of both countries should take an equal share in the development of ports, mines and railways. A year elapsed without the undertaking being applied, and at last Germany sent a gunboat to Agadir. Immediately Great Britain intervened, demanding the withdrawal of the Panther, and announcing that non-compliance would be regarded as an act of war.
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