ravention of much that has been stated in the foregoing pages,
that it will not be out of place to quote a few extracts from men on
the spot who do know the facts. The first three are from leaders in
_Al-moghreb Al-aksa_, the present English paper in Morocco, which
accurately voices the opinion of the British Colony in that
country, opinions shared by most disinterested residents of other
nationalities.

"However we look upon the situation as it stands to-day, and
wherever our sympathies may lie, it is impossible to over-estimate
the danger attending the unfortunate Anglo-French Agreement. We
have always--as our readers will acknowledge--advocated the simple
doctrine of the _status quo_, and in this have received the
support of every disinterested person in and out of Morocco. Our
policy has at times thrown us into antagonism with the exponents
of the French colonial schemes; but we at least have the
satisfaction of knowing that, however we may have fallen short of
our duty, it has been one which we have persevered in, prompted by
earnest conviction, by love of the country and its people, and by
admiration for its Sultan. The simplicity of our aim has helped us
in our uphill fight, and will, no doubt, continue to do so in the
future.

"Needless to say we look forward with no little anxiety to the
result of the conference. This needs no explanation. In the
discussion of such a question it is absolutely imperative that the
individual members of the conference should be selected from those
who know their Morocco, and who are acquainted with the causes
which led up to the present dead-lock. Only the keenest, shrewdest
men should be selected, for it must be borne in mind that France
will spare no pains to uphold the recent Anglo-French Convention.
Her most astute diplomats will figure largely, for her dignity is
at stake. Indeed, her very position, diplomatic and political, is
in effect challenged. Taking this into consideration, it is more
than necessary to see that the representatives of Great Britain
are not chosen for their family influence or for the perfection
they may have attained in the French language.

"The task is hard and perilous. England is waking to the fact that
she has blundered, and, as usual, she is unwilling to admit the
fact. Circumstances, however, will sooner or later force he