Thereupon I ventured to remind his Majesty that not England alone, but the whole of Europe had viewed with disapproval the recent action of Germany in allowing the German Consul to return from Tangier to Fez, and in anticipating the joint action of France and Spain by suggesting to the Powers that the time had come for Europe to recognize Muley Hand as the new Sultan of Morocco.

His Majesty made a gesture of impatience.  “Yes,” he said,

“that is an excellent example of the way in which German action is misrepresented.  First, then, as regards the journey of Dr. Vassel.  The German Government, in sending Dr. Vassel back to his post at Fez, was only guided by the wish that he should look after the private interests of German subjects in that city, who cried for help and protection after the long absence of a Consular representative.  And why not send him?  Are those who charge Germany with having stolen a march on the other Powers aware that the French Consular representative had already been in Fez for several months when Dr. Vassel set out?  Then, as to the recognition of Muley I Hand.  The Press of Europe has complained with much acerbity that Germany ought not to have suggested his recognition until he had notified to Europe his full acceptance of the Act of Algeciras, as being binding upon him as Sultan of Morocco and successor of his brother.  My answer is that Muley Hafid notified the Powers to that effect weeks ago, before the decisive battle was fought.  He sent, as far back as the middle of last July, an identical communication to the Governments of Germany, France, and Great Britain, containing an explicit acknowledgment that he was prepared to recognize all the obligations towards Europe which were incurred by Abdul Aziz during his Sultanate.  The German Government interpreted that communication as a final and authoritative expression of Muley Hand’s intentions, and therefore they considered that there was no reason to wait until he had sent a second communication, before recognizing him as the de facto Sultan of Morocco, who had succeeded to his brother’s throne by right of victory in the field.”

I suggested to his Majesty that an important and influential section of the German Press had placed a very different interpretation upon the action of the German Government, and, in fact, had given it their effusive approbation precisely because they saw in it a strong act instead of mere words, and a decisive indication that Germany was once more about to intervene in the shaping of events in Morocco.  “There are mischief-makers,” replied the Emperor,

“in both countries.  I will not attempt to weigh their relative capacity for misrepresentation.  But the facts are as I have stated.  There has been nothing in Germany’s recent action with regard to Morocco which runs contrary to the explicit declaration of my love of peace which I made both at Guildhall and in my latest speech at Strassburg.”

His Majesty then reverted to the subject uppermost in his mind—­his proved friendship for England.  “I have referred,” he said,