352 OBJECTIONS TO EUEOPEAN INTEEFERENCE. ch. xit. 



is not to be sought or desired. Under a government 

 affording security for industry the Berber would settlein 

 the unoccupied lands of the lower country, and carry out 

 under intelligent control the works which would fit them 

 for a large increase of population. 



Many readers who hold to the traditional political 

 ideas of the past will shrink from the conclusion here 

 expressed. Not concerning themselves with the results of 

 such a change on the future condition of Marocco, they 

 will urge that such a great territorial extension of the 

 French possessions in Africa would increase to a formidable 

 extent the power of our ancient rival throughout the 

 Mediterranean region ; and they will with justice argue 

 that it is not for the general interest of the civilised 

 world that any single Power should obtain a preponder- 

 ating influence over the rest. 



Experience seems to supply an answer to these objec- 

 tions. If extensive foreign possessions be in some respects 

 a source of strength to a country, they not less certainly 

 are a cause of weakness in others ; and in the case of a 

 Power not holding maritime supremacy, the possession of 

 valuable dependencies easily assailable by sea acts as a 

 weighty cheek on the aggressive tendencies of the people. 



A cordial acquiescence in the extension of French 

 territory westward, might reasonably obtain in return a 

 diminution of the jealousy with which our neighbours 

 view the increase of English influence on the east side of 

 the African continent. A cynic may remark that the 

 policy here suggested would resemble an agreement be- 

 tween freebooters for the division of spoil ; but, in truth, 

 we believe it to be a mistake to suppose that there would 

 be any spoil to distribute. It is more than doubtful 

 whether any future extension of the African possessions 

 either of France or England would more than pay the 

 necessary expenses of occupation and administration. The 

 gain to both countries would be of a different order — the 

 outlet provided for the healthful play of energies cramped 



