“So far as an attempt is being made to alter the international status of Morocco, or to control the open door in the economic development of the country, we must see more closely than before that our economical interests are not endangered.  Our first step, accordingly, is to put ourselves into communication with the Sultan.”

The visit came off as announced, and the Emperor, on arriving at Tangier, made a speech which caused a sensation in every diplomatic chancellery; indeed, in all parts of the world.  The Emperor’s speech, which was addressed to the German colonists on March 31, 1905, was as follows:—­

“I rejoice to make acquaintance with the pioneers of Germany in Morocco and to be able to say to them that they have done their duty.  Germany has great commercial interests there.  I will promote and protect trade, which shows a gratifying development, and make it my care to secure full equality with all nations.  This is only possible when the sovereignty of the Sultan and the independence of the country are preserved.  Both are for Germany beyond question, and for that I am ready at all times to answer.  I think my visit to Tangier announces this clearly and emphatically, and will doubtless produce the conviction that whatever Germany undertakes in Morocco will be negotiated exclusively with the Sultan.”

The result of these unmistakable declarations was that the Sultan rejected proposals made to him by the French, and shortly afterwards, on the advice of Germany, came forward with suggestions for a European conference.  M. Delcasse, the French Foreign Minister, opposed the proposal, and for a time war between France and Germany appeared inevitable; but France was not in a military position to ignore Germany’s threatening language, M. Delcasse had to resign, the French Cabinet under M. Rouvier agreed to the conference, and it met at Algeciras in January, 1906.  At the conference Great Britain, in consonance with the Entente, supported France; Austria adhered loyally to her Triplice engagements and proved the “brilliant second” to Germany the Emperor subsequently described her; Italy, on the other hand, gave her Teutonic ally only lukewarm support.

In fairness, however, should be quoted here the explanation of Italy’s attitude given by Chancellor von Buelow when discussing the conference in Parliament next year.  The impression is general, both in and out of Germany, that Italy is only a half-hearted political ally.  It is based on the temperamental difference between the Latin and the Teutonic races, on the popular sympathy between the French and Italian peoples, and to the supposedly reluctant support lent by Italy to Germany during the critical time of the conference, the extra-tour, as Prince Buelow, using a metaphor of the ballroom, termed it, she took with France on that occasion.  Prince Buelow now endeavoured to dissipate or correct the impression, at any rate, as regarded Algeciras.  “Italy,” he said,