CONDITIONS IN MOROCCO.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3532, 21 July 1920, Page 7

CONDITIONS IN MOROCCO.

E REN Lit A D MI X IS TRAIT OX . The Moscow correspondent of The Times describes, in the issue cf January 9, rhe nature of Franco’s pecord in Morocco, tie explains the difficulties, and how they have been overcome. •‘From time immemorial it has been the northern part of Morocco w. im.. has been the seat of anarchy,” lie points out. “This country much loss rich and productive than the south, and the tribes are wilder and inore warlike, partly/ no doubt, because they have less to lose. In the districts surrounding Fez there are a diversity of races—the' Jibala, the Rifis, and the Atlas Berbers. They

meet on the common ground of war- J fare and loot, with the French newa- j days, formerly with each other. Even to-day a number of their tribes have i accepted the French domination and j fight- on their side. •‘Courageous and fine fighters, there is much that is admirable in the characteristics of these tribesmen, and the French are the first to acknowledge it. Where they have submitted they have become useful and loyal subjects cf the Sultan and the Protectorate. Many of them fought in France, and fought val antly. In thought, in civilisation, and in initiative the Berber tribes are far nearer to the European than the Arab —and they are a white race in every sense of the word. “The country in these districts is

Wild an (I the mountain fastnesses are almost inaccess ble. The policy of General L van toy has been to blockade the tribesmen in their mountains and to cut thorn off from their supplies of grain a>tul their agricultural lands, which lie at a lower elevation. Once this lias been accomplished, negotiations are opetted, but not until the tr bes realise the fact, and have experienced it, that force Is on the French side and can be further applied if necessary, ‘ill .is a policy that has been, antf cannot fail to bo. eminently successful, Once negotiations are begun, of-' tors of employment are made, and generally very few' days elapse before the tribesmen has fa id aside* his rifle !

for the pick, end, naming a wage previously undreamed of. is busy helping in the construction of the great arteries of roads which the French have built all over the Protectorate. “The history of the French Protectorate of Morocco during the war is one of which France may well be proud. In spite of every difficulties, progress was made in every direction. In spite of danger, diminished forces, of inadequate artillery and material, the French native troops, never failing in their spirit of sacrifice, saved the sbnation. The danger is past There remains the finishing touches which are wanting to complete the pacification of the entire country,”