The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-17
SLAVES IN lIOROCCO.
Hundreds of Young Captives Are Slain
Annually.


The following reliable information re-
specting the activity of the slave trade in
Morocco is important and interesting at
the present time, when so many stirring
events are taking place in that effete EN-
pire, says the London Times.
From what ST. Charles Euan Smith told
me when | had the honor of seeing him i'm
Morocco during the past winter | feel sure
that he would not fail to impress upon
the Sultan during his diplomatic mission
TO Fez. the necessity OF putting a stop to
the slave trade in his empire, which has
now risen to scandalous and constantly
increasing proportions. The gentleman who
furnished me with the following infOrma-
ton is an old traveller in Morocco and is
personally known to me as one of the best
informed authorities on the internal policy
Of that barbarous country
81 must now tell you Ct the caravan
which arrived at Tend0uf from Timbuctoo
at the end Of March last. IL brought
scarcely any merchandise, but there were
1000 slaves. principally young girls and
boys. So great was the influx Of slaves at
Marakesh Morocco city that instead of
holding the market twice week. as is
usual, il was held daily from the 18th Of
April &C. the nth Of May. and the prices
were comparatil ely low. ranging from 40
10 Eli "a head. During the feast Of Rama
dan the Kads, who come to Marakcsh in
order 10 present gifts TO the Sultan's son,
who is the khalfa of his father. agreed
that the most acceptable present would be
sOme Of these young slaves frcm Timbuc-
too There were forty-thrce Kaids, and
each Of them gave this young man. only
eighteen years of age, three slave girls and
two slave bOys-Oyer 200 slaves in all AS
the Khalfa had a bad reputation for cruel
" aud other vices. il is not pleasant 10
think Of the fate Ct these young capuycs.
1T is said that more than eight hundred
slaves were sold at this market in ten days
10 merchants who had come from Riff,
Tafilat and other distant places 20 obtain a
supply Of human chattes, and besides this
many were sold privately l was myself
the witness OF sad scene in the market
where three little negresses from eight 10
ten years old. who had evidently come
from a very distant part, as nc one there
could speak their language, were ruthlessly
parted from each other and sold TO differ
ent owners amid tears, pltiful cries and
such resistance as the poor little creatures
could employ. Each had 70 go off alone
among a strange people, not one CT whom
understood a word she said.
'As you are aware there are no banks
In Morocco. Every one who has money TO
take care OF buries 1t I'm the ground. 1t is
necessary that no one ShOuic KNOW where
his treasure lies hidden. Therefore, in-
credible as 1t may seem, old and worn out
slaves. male and female, are said TO be
employed to dig large hole 10 hide the
wealth Of their master, and the unfortu-
nate negro may almost be said 10 dig his
cwn grave, as he never sees the light OF
another sun. A cup Of coffee, tea or some
native drink contains the deadly poison so
often administered In Morocco, where, IL
must be remembered, coroners' inquests
are unknown"