RASULI'S STORY

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8943, 8 October 1907, Page 4

RASULI'S STORY

The Suitasi’s Treachery. “How I became an outlaw” is the ; story Raisuli tola a special correspondent of the Daily Mail the other day. His first quarrel with the Government was through a former Basha of Tangier, who oppressed him and seized his property. Raisuli was thrown into prison at Mogador, and remained there five years. Finally ho was set free and went back to his Tillage. ‘‘What did I find? Not a vestige of my possessions remained. I took no measures of revenge, but put myself under the wing of the Government. Bargash (the new Basha) promised restitution. That promise was never fulfilled. ‘Despairing of justice I went to the tribe Gharbia, six hours from Tangier, where I had a farm. Mj intention was to collect a few cattle ! and devote myself to agriculture. Bargash sent men to surround ray farm, and when I came out they fired on me. I complained to Tangier aud had no reply. Friends wrote that the Government was bent on my destruction.” Some time later, when the lull tribes wore in revolt, he managed to pacify them, for lie was still loyal to the Government. He hoped thus to prove that lie was no outlaw.” ‘‘What followed?” he continues. “Soldiers camped near my village. I thought they had come to investigate my claims. No. They attacked my village, took mo by surprise, and burned aud sacked the village. That was my reward. I was forced to floe to the people of my ancestors, the Beni Arcs tribe. A reward was offered for me dead or alive, but none were tempted. Soldiers moved into the country of Beni Arcs, pillaging, plundering, and murdering. ‘ ‘ When I saw how the people were oppressed I wout secretly to Tangier and stole a Christian, Perdicaris. This I did that Europe might know how I was persecuted aud hunted Mown. I did not want open war with the Government, so I thought a Christian the best weapon. Hy idea aud hope was that Europe would investigate, for I know Europeans arc just and will justice is done.” k ■ - Pie then deals with his capture of Sir Harry Maclean. AtStheir first interview Sir Harry said, “I have come t® learn your grievances. The Sultan wants you to go to Fez.” “Wo parted,” continues Raisnh, “and I came to El Khmes aud conferred with my people. They thought I should accept the proposal, and I accordingly wrote to Maclean at Fez. “But, behold, even while .these courtesies were being exchanged, a majialla swooped down upon my village of Ziuat, near Tangier, seized my crops of wheat aud barley, _ and carried off to prison some of my . relatives How could I reconcile tho words of Maclean with these acts?” “All these things X hid in my heart. Maclean came, aud wo met between the El Sereef aud Erhoau tribes. I told him what the others had been doing to mo and mine. “You say I can safely go to Fez. If those things are done before I place myself in the Lauds of tho Sultan, wiiat will happen when I reach Fez? Maclean showed me a letter in which the Sultan gave guarantee. It was a very good letter. “Maclean said a similar letter had been sent to El Guebbas (t'.’o Minister for War). Now it happened that a copy of the letter to El Guebbas had oomc into my hands. It was not in tho least like the letter brought by Maclean. The Sultan’s letter to El Guchbas said that if I did not go to Fez tho Minister for War was to send a mahalla to attack me, to seize my property aud person, and to persecute me with tho utmost vigour. The action of El Guebbas aud this letter convinced me aud my people that the Ministers meant treachery and had laid a trap for me. “They sought to betray me, therefore I betsayed Maclean. I took him l>y a trick', desiring to avoid violence, as tho Kaid is an old man aud had acted honestly with me. “Now Maclean is in my possession, and will ho hspt in ‘Aman, Amau’ (that is, in perfect safety). No harm shall befall him till the British Government say what they ■ propose to do. “The British people now know how I have been oppressed, aud have taken these measures to call attention to my wrongs. I know the British Government is powerful as well as just. Before them I lay my griefs. “I have not taken Maclean for money. Had I wanted money there was Tangier in my hands, with its banks, merchants, aud wealth. “No, it is not money I want, but justice, Justice.”