REBELLION IN MOROCCO

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 296, 9 May 1911, Page 5

REBELLION IN MOROCCO

SITUATION BECOMING WORSE. ' SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 8, 9.20 p.m. Tangier, May 8. Although the Sultan is clamoring for the speedy arrival of relief, as the situation has become worse, it is feared that Brulard's force will be another fortnight in reaching Fez, the delay being due to the piecemeal formation of the force and the fact that the French colonial battalions do not possess in peace a full complement of horses and mules. These have to be requisitioned from Algeria and elsewhere. Ambulance and other rearward services had to be despatched as transport facilities allowed, after the troops embarked.

PRETENDER PROCLAIMED SULTAN. Received 8, 11.30 p.m. Tangier, May 8. General Monier has ordered Major Brulard's communications to be adequately guarded. The bulk of Monier's force is held in readiness at the principal base, Shawia; General Toutie, with 9000 men, holds all the middle forts. Berbers at Mequinez proclaimed MulaiElzin Sultan. He has written to a friend stating that he will accept the throne only because Mequinez would otherwise be sacked. THE INTERNATIONAL VIEW. FRENCH PRESS SUGGESTIONS. Received 8, 9.20 p.m. Paris, May 8. It is officially stated that the FrancoSpanish exchanges of views on Morocco are consistently cordial. Le Matin states that Germany is aware, through friendly Powers, that France's efforts are solely directed towards the safety of the Europeans and strengthening the Sultan's authority.

L'Eclair suggests, with a view to allaying mistrust, and after a suggestion that French, German and Spanish troops should guard the legations at Fez, that France should arrange for her troops to withdraw three days after they arrive, leaving only a hundred behind. SULTAN CONSIDERED SAFE. WHAT MULAI-ELZIN IS LIKE. Received 9, 12.40 a.m. London, May 8. Moroccan messages to London. Paris and Berlin are very contradict -r, but the consensus of opinion is th." Miibi Hafid is safe unless disaffection spreads among his supporters within Fez. Some tribes joined his mohalla near Habat, while proceeding to Fez. The Shereefian troops made sorties on April 26 and 27, and met with reverses.

The heads of twenty-two Government soldiers were sent to Mequinez for MulaiElzin, who has hitherto been a State prisoner. His age is 25 years, and he is not fanatical. He likes the Europeans, and his viziers are moderate men of good standing.

ANOTHER TOWN OCCUPIED. Tangier, May 7. French troops have occupied Debdu. REBELS REPULSED. Tangier, May 7. The rebels made a furious onslaught on Bremond's force owing to the presence of Christian instructors. Three hundred rebels were killed.