A NEW SULTAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1928, Page 4

A NEW SULTAN.

FEZ, Nov. 19. "With impressive ceremonial a youth of 20 Yvas to-day proelaijned Sultan of Morocco. He is Prince Sidi Mohammed Hamada, the third and youngest son of the Sultan Mouly Yotissef, who died here yesterday. It is now revealed that the Sultan died in a plain white-washed room of monastic simplicity in his great palace in this city. The end came when his doctor had left the room to advise the palace controller that the Sultan was dying, and when the patient was watched only by two negro guards. It as at once decided by the Moorish notabilities and by the French authorities, M. Steeg (the ResidentGeneral) and Generals Chnmbruii and Mougin, that the Council of Ulemas (doctors of Moslem law) should meet early this morning to name the successor. as Moorish law lays down that the new Sultan must be elected belore the dead Sultan is buried. According to the Koran, all members of the Imperial Family are eligible. The election was carried out to-day according to rule, and the result was made known at the funeral of Moiilay Yusscf. The body of the late Sultan was carried to the mosque and the cere inony of ablution and perfuming performed. and nomination tvas then read bv Hie officiating priest. GUARDS AT ALL GATES.

'the French authorities issued orders to prevent any unseemly intrigues or rivalry to succeed Moiilay YousseL Guards were posted at all the gates of the palace. The eldest son. Prince Moiilay ldrif. who is son-in-law of El Glaoui. Hie powerful Caid of Marrrakesh (Southern Morocco), was informed that the voting Princes had to go to Rabat, and he accompanied them there. All ol them were detained at Rabat, with other possible claimants to the throne, until late in the evening.

F,v. was awake early this morning. , ( i,d the -hops were closed everywhere, while mourning Hags were to be seen till ihe palaces and official buildings. In the palate the Councils of Ulemas ,ai. and. after a long secret c0nfer,,11,.,. they declared that Prince Sidi Mohammed Ifamada had been elected ns Suit an. The new Sultan was then officially proclaimed. In the palace square he reviewed tile famous Black Guards and received the homage of all the palace olfi. i.ds. I.alcr the luneral ceremony took plans It: was of extreme simplicity as laid d< wn by Moslem law. The body, clad in the white robe worn at the moment of hi- death, was placed on a bier in the middle of the palace square.