“found herself in a difficult position there.  Various agreements between Italy and France regarding Morocco had come into existence anterior to the conference, but Germany was satisfied that they were not inconsistent with Italy’s Triplice engagements; in fact, Germany had, several years ago, officially told Italy she must use her own judgment and act on her own responsibility in dealing with her French neighbour in Africa and the Mediterranean.”

When it was settled that a conference should be held, Italy, the Chancellor continued, “gave Germany timely information as to the extent to which her support of Germany could go, and as a matter of fact she supported Germany’s views in the bank and police questions.”  So far the German official explanation, but the impression of Italian lukewarmness as a member of the Triplice has lost none of its universality thereby.  How well or ill founded the impression is, it will be for the future to disclose.

The summoning of the conference had been a triumph for German diplomacy, but its results were disappointing to her; for while the proceedings showed that among all nations she could only fully rely on the sympathy and support of Austria, they ended in an acknowledgment by Germany of the special position of France in Morocco.  The Act of Algeciras, which was dated April 7, 1906, stated that the signatory Powers recognized that “order, peace, and prosperity” could only be made to reign in Morocco

“by means of the introduction of reforms based upon the triple principle of the sovereignty and independence of his Majesty the Sultan, the integrity of his States, and economic liberty without any inequality.”

Then followed six Declarations regarding the organization of the police, smuggling, the establishment of a State bank, the collection of taxes, and the finding of new sources of revenue, customs, and administrative services and public works.  For the organization of the police, French and Spanish officers and non-commissioned officers were to be placed at the disposal of the Sultan by the French and Spanish Governments.  Tenders for public works were to be adjudicated on impartially without regard to the nationality of the bidder.  The effect of the Act was to give international recognition to the special position of France and Spain in Morocco, while safeguarding the economic interests of other Powers.

The attitude taken up by Germany relative to the conference was set forth in a speech delivered by Prince von Buelow in the Reichstag in December, 1905.  It was based, he explained, on the provisions of the Madrid Convention of 1880, in which all the Great Powers and the United States had taken part.  The Chancellor claimed that Germany sought no special privileges in Morocco, but favoured a peaceful and independent development of the Shereefian Empire.  He denied that German rights could be abrogated by an Anglo-French Agreement, and pointing out that Morocco in 1880 had