Casablanca takes place during the Vichy regime in France during WW2. This was the part of France that was living peacefully under a German controlled government in southern France. The movie does a good job at keeping the political bias out of the film and does its best not to alienate its audience.
Rick has been trying to stay aloof from the war, choosing not to pick a side, which represents America at this time. Every other character in the movie is somehow involved with the war.
The dominant in this scene is Rick. Even though he is not in the center of the screen, everyone is looking at him, drawing the viewers eye to him as well. Also his posture shows that he is dictating something to everyone else.
There is a high amount of lighting in the scene, especially on their upper bodies. By casting them in so much light shows that we are suppose to think of them as the good guys.
The camera angle is social because it captures these four in conversation but leaves the rest of the cantina out of frame.
Everyone in the frame is dressed in white reinforcing that we are suppose to view them as good.
It is an open frame showing that they are in public and at a restaurant.
Character proximity is social yet for Rick and Renault they are standing more personal to show that they are unsure about whether to join Lazlo's side.
You might think the French were living peacefully, but history would deny that. Jews were subject to arrest and transportation as were other minorities. Don't be glib about peace.
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