The following paragraphs from the current "Hazell" explain why Great Britain can take no part in an International Conference in respect of Morocco "By the Anglo-French Agreement, April 8th, 1904, the French Government declared that they had no intention of tering the political status of. Morocco, jand the British Government recognised that it appertained to France, as a Power whose dominions are coterminous for a great distance with those of Morocco, to Preserve order ju that country, and to provide assistance for the purpose of all administrative, economic, financial, and military reforms which it may require. The British Government declared that they would not obstruct the action tal by France for this purpose, provided that, the treaty rights of Groat Britain, inoluding the right of coasting trade between the ports of Morocco, enjoyed by British destined fcr the Moorish market, wore treated on a footing of absolute. equality with those of France. In order to secure the free passage of the Straits of Gibraltar, the two Governments agreed not to permit, nor to undertake, th Moorish coast between Melilla and the River Lebon, excepting the places occupied by Spain, The two Governments took into special consideration the interests of Spain in Morocco, and the Frouch Government undertook to come to an understanding with the Spanish Govern-mont in regard to them, and to communicate such agreement to the British Government, The Agreomaut was made binding for thirty years with provision for the extension of the period for five years ata time.
It was reported in October, 1904, that an Agreement between Franco and Spain: as to Morocco had been arrived at. The limits of the Spanish sphere fluence were modified and were made to include Tetuan, Tangier, and the whole of the Riff littoral, subject to a stipulation that the agreement should not come into force for fifteen years, The agreement also secured the neutralization of the North African coast between Molilla and the River Sebu, as well as of Conta and the positions opposite Gibraltar. Spain gave her adhesion to the terms of the Anglo-French Agreement, and therefore to the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Morocco, and recognised the right France to give the Sultan the military, economic, of financial assistance which ho might need,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.