ALGECIRAS CONFERENCE. On 8, 1904, a treaty was concluded in London by which France accorded ab solute liberty of action to Great Britain in Egypt in return f or a similar acknowledgment of French interests in Morocco. By a subsequent treaty (Oct. 1904) France concluded a secret arrange ment with Spain. Disturbed by these agreements and determined to "vindicate" German rights in North Africa, the Emperor William II. landed at Tangier on March 31, 1905. Under his in fluence the sultan rejected the French scheme of reforms, and issued invitations to a conference of the powers. Serious friction between France and Germany followed, resulting in the fall of Delcasse, and the triumph for the moment of German policy.
The conference met at Algeciras on Jan. 16, 1906. Germany was backed by Austria, but the French claims were stoutly sup ported by Great Britain. A scheme of reforms was drawn up (see MOROCCO : History) and duly ratified; but Germany's prin cipal object—to place France upon the same level as the other powers—was unsuccessful, and France was able to uphold her claim to a privileged position in Morocco.