The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-12
rHE rRoUnnE ~ rlyGIER.
England and France Concerned About the
Outcome OF the Affair.


Outcome OF the Affair.
The troubles at present existing in the Tan
gier district Of Morocco seem to De getting
more serious as the days 60 by England has
already sent warships tothe scene. and France
will certainly soon take the same action.
The real cause of the rising among the na-
tive tribes is uncertain 10 is matter OF lit
tie surprise. however, that the tribes shout
revolt. THE Sultan OF Morocco Us nomi-
nally an absolute ruler. but actually ms au-
thority - scarcely ACKNOWLEDGED by many of
the tribes There Is cry little doubt That the
French anxiety regarding British move
ments in Morocco Is due 90 tle formers de-
signs To- secure portions OF the territory uoni-
nallv under the sovereignty % the sultan
to her own use and occupation. Inls IS
especially the case IN regard 10 the Iasls OBJ
1Ouat concerning which France nna Morocco
have been dispuilng Tor some time. Ioutt.
with tie oases OK G0urara. Aoueeropt and
gidikelt. form . group 10y themselt es Do the
Sahara and have q pOpuiat on OF 80 of LOU. @
OJJ people. The natives are Wari.ke and
fanatlcai and some years ago they massacred
q number of Frenchmen. touat had long
been place of refuge for enemies Of rance.
and after the massacre o. the freuchnen the
natives feared reprisas
They have been really independent. but
now they have appealed Co The Sultan OF Mo-
rocco % take the oasis under his protection,
hoping Dy this means 20 avert the danger of
OF punishment for their crimes. The sultan
told the ambassadors sent 20 him by the
Touataus shat Che would annex their territory
90 mis- dOmilions. but this they did not want,
they desired only protection Tho Sultan
subsequently sent agents 10 the OASIS who
collected tribute. The reuch formally pro-
tested against this move ON the part or the
Sultan Iouat is trade centre Tor the cara
vans crossing the desert, and ITS occupation
10y the Mo0rs would cut OF from France the
shortest route from Algeria. her province i'm
North Africa. 10 Senegal, her colony IN W est
Africa.
1t was the intention Of the Sultan 10 pro-
claim lis dOmini over the territory in Ques-
ton in May or june last but IN Wow OF the
French protests and the fact that France had
garrisonel TT gOlea. he hes.iated To the
meantime his agent again visited the cases Co
gather tribute but the natives had changed
their mind regarding the de-irabilitv Of hay
ING the Sultan for their pr. tector They cut
Oh the heads OF i've of the ou.tnu's tax
gathere-s. subsequently the French dis
patched force from I.emcon. siXty-eigAt
miles southwest of Oran. 10 seize the dis
putel territory
IL is tine intention of the French 1t is said,
% construct % railway from Algeria 10 Sene-
gal and the udau. 10 will thus be seen
that the French have particular reason 20
object 10 British aggression in Morocco. fear
ing as they lO that In the event OF England
getting further fIothold in the country the
French plans for developing their " est Airi-
can possessions hy means OF routo Co ~ 90
RIA might be frustrated.
The army of the Sultan ia composed OF
about 10000 disciplined infantry under the
command of an tngIishman. 400 disciplined
cavalry. few batteries Ot Geld guns. COM
handed bv three French officers. and . $3.50
irregular cavalry Ina addition Go these forces
there are IN the empire about 5000 militia
cavalry and 10000 infantry. is SAID that
in addition to the forces already enumerated
there could Doe collected in time of war about
40. 900 irregular cavalry and Infantry There
is no cOmmiesarlat Tie population of Mo-
rocco Is estimated at from .. OJ 600 20 .. t0O.-
900 people. 10 is generally considered. how
ever. that IL is about 5.0O1.OlO souls
Iangier is the diplomatic capital of Mo-
rocco. 10 is near tho west entrance Of the
Strait of Gibraltar and southeast Of Cape
Spartel. IL stands on q height near . spacious
bay and. rising ln the form Of an amphthea-
ire presents % very striking appearance when
Approached from the sea. IL is surrounded
by walls and defended by "a castle and several
forts With tie exception OF the main street.
which traverses IL from east CD west. 10 con
sists of wretcled houses hudd.ed together IN
narrow. dirty lanes.
The harDor which was once capaciOus and
protected by a mole was formerly much fire.
0uented by vessels 10 was taken by the Port
uguese in l4ll. and ceded by them iu llc2 10
the English. The latter erected % mole which
gave protection o. vessels. and kept possession
OF the city for TWENTY-FIVE wears. liz declined
rapidly on failing into the hands of the
M0Crs