IN MOROCCO

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1940, Page 7

IN MOROCCO

position worse SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES RELATIONS WITH VICHY Rec. 8.10 p.m. London, Sept. 18. Various reports indicate that the situation in French Mcirocco is deteriorating, says the Times. There is a shortage of every thing. V Only minor details of administration can be settled locally, and quet.tions of major policy are referred to Vichy, which means the Wiesbaden armistiee tribunal. Vichy propaganda under Italian and German inspiration aims at proving that Britain alone is going to starve French, Jews and Moors. Spanish Morocco corresponds to the position in Spain. Spain does not want war and is afraid of internal trouble. Spanish officers suspect British or Allied troops of intendihg to land in Morocco with the object 6f securing the southern shores of the Istraits of Gibraltar, and German propagahdists are fostering this suspicion, as a result of which larger forces of metropolitan troops have been transferred' to Morocco. Gunposts cover almost the entire coast. A curious situation has arisen in Spain. It is understood Ihat Moroccan regulars (combined Spanish and Moorish troops in the Spanish army) have been transferred to Spain. Some of them were sent to Asturias, which has never been completely pacifled. Moorish troops are also believed to be stationed in the Badajoz region. Recruiting has opened again in Morocco for native troops, partly to avoid complaints of unemployment and food shortage among the Riffs. The Gestapo is already operating in French Morocco and in a lesser degree in Spanish Morocco.