A Fiasco

The Tangier Conference, begun just over a fortnight ago, ended in complete fiasco.

Spain wanted Tangier incorporated in her Moroccan Protectorate; it would aid her in quelling the Moors. France wanted it returned to the full suzerainty of the Sultan of Morocco; as the northern gate to French Morocco, Tangier would be very useful to the French. Britain and Spain objected to the French plan, because it meant making Tangier a French port. Britain's attitude was that she could not tolerate any strong Power directly opposite Gibraltar and advocated a revision of the present international regime. Unable to agree, the Conference dispersed.

Tangier is a port in Morocco on the African side of the Straits of Gibraltar. In 1662 it became the property of England, to whom it was given by Portugal, as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza on her marriage to Charles II. Since that time the port has caused intermittent trouble in Europe. At present it is under international control, a status fixed by the Algeciras Conference of 1906.