THE MOROCCAN WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1925, Page 3

THE MOROCCAN WAR

FRENCH AND SPANISH I>TEFI-

CULT IPS

[“ The Times ” Service.]

(Receive*! tins clay at 10.0 a.m.) LONDON, August 2.

The Paris correspondent of the “Times” states that the mystery of what happened to Ahdel Krim s replv to France deepens. It is considered that it does not greatly matter because Abdel Krim is suspected of a deep laid ssheme to outwit the French and the Spaniards. The latter have little time to organise an offensive as the present hot season virtually prohibits active hostilities and so will the wet season which is due in October. Consequently if the French and Spaniards want to crush the rebellion, it must be done in September. Another difficulty consists in Ahdel Klim's tactics. He refuses a large scale attack whereby he might encounter a crushing defeat, but prefers to sit tight, knowing in that manner he is giving the enemy a hard nut to crack in preparing a defensive

campaign. It is rumoured that General Petal 11 will advise the French Government that two complete divisions of regulars are needed. Such a step will certainly encounter political opposition as Frame is in no mood for warfare on such a scale so soon after her losses in the Great War. She does not want further casualties, yet a Tangier correspondent states that after a heroic resistance the French post of Ambusissa has fallen. The Riffs drew nearer and nearer, hut the aeroplanes dropped iip and food until Wednesday -frhen there was a cessation of aerial activities. The. French then plaiinea to rush a relief expedition, hut the llifi's exploded mine, compelling the defenders to retire. Many are missing.

GENERAL RETAIN. MADRID, July 31. General retain, en route, stated operations at Morocco will begin soon. ant l would be efficacious, both militarily ami politically. All the necessary material was already on the spot. F R ENCTI ORE it ATTON S. BEIRUT. Aug. 2. As a sequel to an attack on a I reach column bivouacing near Sonia on the ‘2otb the French are conducting operations against Jebel Druse Syria. An aerial bond) attack resulted m the killing of eighteen insurgents. Inc French are acting in full agreement •with the British authorities who jn\o arranged to employ armoured ears to repel" and insurgents penetrating trans-Jordania. .