Some interesting international results may flow from the Spanish withdrawal
in Morocco. The indefatigable Times correspondent at Tangier interviewed, apparently on successive days, Marshal Lyautey, the ruler of French Morocco, and Abdel Krim, the successful Rifian leader. It seems clear that the establishment—which now seems almost certain—of an independent Moslem State between the French and Spanish zones, is causing Marshal Lyautey great anxiety. He is evidently beginning to put forward the thesis that the prestige of "Western civilization, and the stability of British and French African and Asian dependencies, may demand that if Spain cannot deal with Abdel Krim, France may be forced to take a hand in the matter. It is well known, of course, that Great Britain has always strenuously opposed the extension of the French zone northwards towards the Straits of Gibraltar. Marshal Lyautey is evidently wondering whether the British Government still takes that view. At all events, it looks as though we may have sooner or later to make up our minds whether we prefer to have a wholly French Morocco or are willing to tolerate and support an independent Moslem State south of Tetuan. * * * *
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