THE MOROCCAN WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1925, Page 2

THE MOROCCAN WAR

{.Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.!

FRENCH OPERATIONS. I'EZ, October 2

French operations on the trout at Kilt ane are temporarily at a standstill. French troops brilliantly carried all the heights strongly held by the enemy and reached all objectives. The French losses during the two days offensive were only til teen killed and titty wounded. The air force carried out sixty bombing-raids yesterday. MADRID JUJULANT. MADRID. Oct. 3. Alter a careful recunnaissniuc, the Spaniards entered Ajdir. They also occupied a number of other positions, [hey dislodged the enemy who abandoned a large quantity of material. The [{ill’s material loses are considerable. An earlier message states the town ot Adiir was bombarded anil was in ll antes! Nearly the whole of the population left. There is great rejoicing it' Madrid. King Alfonso appeared at a window of the Palace and received a great ovation. KR IM IN SORE STRAITS. MADRID. 'Oct. 3. The news! apers are ecstatic over capt lire of Abdel El Klim’s stronghold. They declare he is now cut off it I, in the sea. and from the fertile lands surrounding Adjir. from the (inis to tlie Mekor rivers. He will he compelled to take refuge in the mountain fast nesess, where he "ill lead a precarious existence, having more reason to fear his allies than his opponents. Tlie Spaniards already have emplaced long range guns on the Palotna ridge, and are building an aerodrome, near Morronuivo. I’RANCtI-SI’ANISH OFFER. PARIS. Oct. 3. Referring to Morocco. AT. I’ainleve declared that the French zone had been brutally invaded, hut France was loyally in accord with Spain, ami who laid been promised complete autonomy within the limits of the Treaties, hut a grant of complete independency would merely re-open the dangerous question of Morocco as it European problem, and would make the Riff a happy hunting ground for international adventures. He read the Franeo-Spanish agreement signed on July 18th, which had been communicated to Abdel Tvrim. gnat aitteeing him autonomy and tillering In negotiate on the basis of a mutual amnesty. a delimitation of boundaries, the appointment of a police force, the Prohibition of traffic in arms, and tho demarcation of the sector of the coast to he occupied hv Spain. AT. Rainlove said that Abdel Klim’s agents had refused to consider those terms. They had insisted on their absolute independence. This has necessitated tho joint: Franeo-Spanish action. KING ALFONSO I NTEIT VIEWED. LONDON. Oct. 3.

The Daily Express’s correspondent lias achieved a unique and pictuiesquo interview with King Allonso, "'ho, seated in a golden drawing room in the palace at Madrid, discussed the all-absorbing question of the Moroccan war. f •‘Spain.” His Majesty declared, “is vshottldering the white man’s harden, and the result of the present conflict, will he of the most vital importance to Christian civilisation. The value of Spain’s sacrifices is under-estimated by the Great Powers. Aloroeco is the key country of Islam, and the eyes of tho entire Eastern AYorld tire focussed

eagerly upon the efforts of Abdel Kritli 11 conquer the two western races engaged in the struggle against him.” Smiling a little wryly, Txing Alfonso added : “Tim -European powers have more than enough of their own troubles. and the fact that a Spanish war is no novelty tends to depreciate active interest in what i- really an interra ial question. Ji is. however, most urgent for Britain and Italy. Even France hail not fully roak.-ed the magnit tide of the trouble until recently. The ultimate issue is nothing more 01 less than a question of life and death. Abdel Kritn must he boatsn at till costs. Tt would he suicidal for the white races to give in. for within a nay the whole of North Africa would he ablaze. F.nglamr’s troubles in the Alosleni possessions would he increased one hundredfold. Whether or not the world recognises that .Spain is fighting for A the security of the "Trite races, nt a terrible cost to herself, so far her efforts have met with little recognition, and with small sympathy or gnJil ude.”

The King seemed to think Spain lias been the victim of an unreasoning prejudice in connection with this war.

The interviewer was surpriseA at the marvellous grip King Alfonso had <*? every detail of the Moroccan situation, and of his grim determination that the whit os must conquer.