MOORISH BARBARITY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 372, 17 December 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

MOORISH BARBARITY.

A correspondent writing from Tangier to the Western Morning News, states that a barbarous spectacle was recently witnessed at Mazagan, where frightful cruelties were imposed on the uufortunate prisoners who were brought some time ago from the Riff coast for transportation to Marrakcsh. Tho writer says:—"They included some five hundred of the Bocoya tribe, who were lodged in a dungeon large enough only for about a hundred persons, the only inlet for air b«iug a small grated skylight in the centre The sufferings of the poor wretches during the recent hot weather have been awful They could not lie down, but had to stand for days Three or four dead were taken out daily. Those left of the Bocoyas were this week heavily manacled and removed to the southern capital. The sight was horrible, for they looked like walking spectres covered with dirty rags. Many were unable to stand; others had to close their eyes, as they wore unable to face the sunlight after having been confined in the dark for so long a time. A horrible stench emanated from their bodies. The process of fettering the poor wretches took place near the town gate, where large heaps of iron chain pieces, with two collars each, were distributed amongst the prisoners, the barbarous operation of fettering them, which was performed by soldiers, causing them intense pain, as the links were piunod by t'ae hammer and she anklets made secure. Three days were occupied in this work, and at last they moved off on camels for a long and painful journey to Morocco city. Many will doubtless die of hunger and cruelties long before they reach there.