BERBERS CHOOSE NEW SULTAN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1122, 9 May 1911, Page 5

BERBERS CHOOSE NEW SULTAN.

FRENCH MOVEMENTS. (Rec. May S, 11.30 p.m.) Tangier, May 8. General Monier has ordered that Colonel Brulard's lines of communication are to be adequately guarded. The bulk of General Mower's force will be held in readiness at the principal base at Shawia. General Toutie, with 9000 men, holds all the middle fords. The Berber tribesmen at Mekinez have proclaimed Mulai Elzin Sultan. He has written to a friend stating that he ■ accepts the throne only because Mekinez would otherwise be sacked. CONTRADICTORY REPORTS. MULAI ELZIN'S CHARACTER. (Rec. May 9, 0.20 a.m.) London, May 8. The Moroccan messages published in London, -Paris, and Berlin are very contradictory, but the consensus of opinion is that tho reigning Sultan, Mulai Hafid, is safe, unless tho disaffection spreads among his supporters within Fez. Some of the tribes have joined his Mahalla, near Habat, which is proceeding to Fez. The Shereefian troops mado sorties on April 26 and 27, but met with reverses. The heads of twenty-two Government soldiers have been sent to Mekinez. Mulai Elzin, the new Berber Sultan, has hitherto been a State prisoner. He i 9 only 25 years of age. He is not fanatical, likes Europeans, and his Viziers are moderate men of good standing. RELATIONS OF THE POWERS. JOINT OCCUPATION SUGGESTED. (Rec. May 8, 11.30 p.m.) Paris, May 8. It is officially stated that the FrancoSpanish exchange of views on Morocco has ocen consistently cordial. The newspaper "Le Matin" states that Germany is aware through tho friendly Powers that Franco's efforts are solely directed towards securing tho safety of Europeans and strengthening tho Sultan's authority.

Tho "Eclair" suggests with a view to allaying mistrust, that French, German, and Spanish troops should guard the legations at Fez, and that Franco should arrange for her troops to withdraw three days after they arrive, leaving only a hundred behind. THREE HUNDRED REBELS KILLED, ONSLAUGHT ON FRENCH FORCE. Tangier, May 7. The rebels made a furious onslaught on Major Bremond's command. Their bitterness was duo to the .presence of Christian instructors. Three hundred rebels were killed. The French troops have occupied Debdu. FRANCE AND SPAIN IN MOROCCO. A COMPARISON OF POLICY. . .While the political and diplomatic aspect of Spain's pretensions in Morocco are being threshed out in Europe it is important, writes the Tangier correspondent of "The Times," under date of March 24, that the practical results of French and Spanish policy respectively should be known. Spanish policy in Morocco, based upon the foundation of. obtaining everything for Spain without any consideration of the interests of other nationalities, has been of no .benefit whatever to any one except Spain herself, and of no great benefit to her. Your Paris correspondent only a few days ago gave excellent examples of. the manner in which the Spanish Government is attempting to close the Ri'ff to all outsiders, in absolute contravention of the Algeciras Act, and the Spanish Government can point to no negotiations with the Moors by which any practical benefit has accrued either to the condition of Morocco or to tho trade and commerce of the world.

On the other hand, negotiations which from time to time- have taken place in Paris have resulted in great benefits to the subjects of all nations. Without the intervention of France the international debtors of fEe Maghzen • would never have been paid the millions due to them, no; public works would havo been undertaken, and no railway or port schemes, the construction of which will be open to tenders of the industry of the whole world on equal terms, would have been originated. Nor have the interests of Morocco been overlooked. New life has been given to the Maghzen, which is now persuaded that its future depends upon its loyal Entente with Trance, while a discussion is actually proceeding by which it is honed many abuses of misgovernment will disappear.