Asiatic Quarterly Review (Full Title: The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review, and Oriental and Colonial Record): Volume XIII, No. 26 [‎480v] (85/238)

298 Morocco: the Sultan and the Bashadours.
only really effective means of realizing the proposed im
provements.
The Sultan and his advisers are now already upon the
horns of this dilemma, or they will soon be there ; for it is
almost certain to be a case of no protectorate, no reforms,
or a protectorate more or less disguised, and trouble with
France.
The Parisian press has, indeed, already spoken with no
uncertain voice. The first paper to call public attention to
the subject was an Opposition organ, Le Gaulois, which,
under the heading “ England at Tangier after allud
ing to the arrival at the latter town of several English
^-commissioned officers to instruct the Sultan’s troops
(troops which are clad in uniform and equipment of
English make), and to other real or imaginary indications
of English preponderance-urges the French authorities to
act while it is yet time, and before the Mediterranean has
been closed by the British sentinels at Tangier, as well as
at Gibraltar. Subsequently Le Temps and La Patrie,
more serious journals and more Governmental in tone, take
up the refrain, also advocating a vigorous policy on the
F rance . nothing less than the occupation of
anlelt, as compensation for any advantages England may
o tain either in the shape of railway concessions, or other
tangible evidences of preponderating influence
Mere newspaper bluster, if not backed up by strong
nationa eeling, may (be disregarded. Fortunately, more
over, the Waldeck Rousseau Cabinet has hitherto shown
so much tact and good sense, that a policy of adventure on
such insufficient ground as the confidence of the Sultan
of Morocco in his English advisers, seems scarcely to be
expecte Still, there are the approaching elections in
ranee, after which Lord Salisbury, or his successor, may
ave to face a Government less to be depended upon to
take a dispassionate view of the situation ; for, of course,
e mere idea of a war between France and England
because Morocco favours one Power more than another is a