REVOLT IN MOROCCO.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1921, Page 5

REVOLT IN MOROCCO.

NATIVE REBELLION. ATTACK ON SPANIARDS. AN EPIC STRUGGLE. By Telegraph.—'Press Assn.—Copyright. Madrid, July 23. A strong contingent of natives violently attacked the advanced Spanish positions at Melilla. It is reported several hundred j Spaniards were killed and wounded after i a desperate struggle, which is continuing. ■ General Sylvestre, commander of the gar- | rison, is reported to have committed suicide when ’he heard of the disaster, but | other reports state that he was wounded i King Alfonso is hastening from San fee- ! bastian to Melilla. i Official advices state that the native at- ' i tack oh Meliffi compelled general Sylvestre’s troops to abandon the Iberiguen i position and retire to Annal. The natives i then cut the line of communications, neI cessitating a further retirement. After directing an epic struggle General Sylvestre was killed. Attacks by powerful bodies of Moroccan rebels continue. General Sylvestre’s detachment is still falling back, though it was believed to be sufficient to defend the i Melilla zone. Generrl Navarro has re- • ' placed General Sylvestre. I Two thousand troops have been de- I | spatchcd with all haste to Melilla from ■ Ceutar. Further reinforcements are follow- i i ing and several warships are being sent. ’ {The Government has requisitioned a num- | ber of Atlantic liners and other large | steamers to transport troops. The Minister of War described the re- ; freat from Annal as most disastrous, with many casualties. He said Spain was faced with a new situation in Morocco. Hitherto she only had to deal with isolated groups oi rebels; now she faced e reai rebel army, • perfectly organised. One report states that the native troops ; at Annal mutinied. General Sylvestre • xought at the head of his men, who were surrounded. The munitions were exhaustbed and General Sylvestre ordered a retireI ment in the face of overwhelming odds, but himself and his staff, who refused to leave ,him. remained behind. Details are lacking, but it is known that General Sylvestre, his two aides and two colonels are among the killed. A THRILLING STORY. GENERAL COMMITS SUICIDE. I DEATH BEFORE CAPTURE. j (i | Received July 25, 5.5 p.m. Madrid, July 25. i An escaped officer reports that native ! trained levies showed previous indications iof treachery, and committed acts of mutiny, but General Sylvestre did no. heed the reports, believing his presence would restrain them and restore order. But when the general despatched the bulk of bis troops to a new position at Aigherrnina thousands of fully armed and trained j mutineers, possessing artillery, attacked the remainder. | General Sylvestre and his staff succeeded m getting back to Annal, near Melilla, where the Spanish entrenched and the rebels cut off General Sylvestre’s force from their supply base. General Sylvestre then ordered a retreat to Sedi Driss, he with his staff remaining at the post of danger in 1 Annal. The retreating troops, carrying j , iheir wounded, proceeded in small con- i tingents. Each was attacked en route by ( * the pursuing rebels, who charged with [ I fixed bayonets. General Sylvestre eventually got nil the I survivors of his force to safety, he and j staff still remaining alone in Annal. Un- ! r.ble to escape, they we’e assembled, and j ' General Sylvestre, saying they must not | fall jfAo the hands of the Moors, drew a • revolver. The others did likewise and all i shook hands and embraced and shot them- ' selves. General Sylvestre witnessed their t deaths and shot himself last. General Syl- | vestre is hailed as a here throughout I Spain, having saved thousands of troops I from massacre.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.