The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-14
MoRoCcVs TREASURE HoosE
Honrdlng Gold and Silver Under Group,
with 800 Black Soldiers to Guard Then.

HonrdIng Gold and Silver Uader 9rouna
with 800 Black Soldiers to GUARD Thea.
Morocco has a famous treasure house which.
although not so important as 1t was once still
contains large part OF the Sultans accumu-
lations from tho heavy taxes imposed on his
people. There are at present three sub.
treasures where a considerable part Of the
country's revenue Is kept The chief reposi.
tory. hosweperrand tile only ne'whleh Is we'll
known. is at Miknas. on the road between FeS
and the city of Morocco.
In the course OF time an immense amount OF
money has been kept In that strongly guarded
receptacle. The treasure is in the form Of gold
and silvor. good deal Of 1t coined and great
deal in the form OF bar metal
Morocco is not a very expensive Government
to carry on. although the people are burdensd
with heavy taxes. The Sultan's outgo is
chiefly for the expenses OF his court for the
payment OF his pension roll. which amounts to
considerable sum. for theological schools. for
the entertainment OF his guests. and for his
army which. however. is not heavy drain on
tho treasury.
The officers Of the State cost the Government
comparatively little. for they are expected. in
their own provinces. to bleed the people for
to Snd a Hy TSn
f2f strssbti roads ads bridges prisons and other
part Of the sums he receives from taxes to add
to his personal fortune and to pay the expenses
involved in trouble with his European friends.
me dett ne owes Spain on account OF the un-
n The that country and his
takes Of the taaI customs duties ut sp So
leeted ut Moroccan ports.
Is that is held in the treasure boxes Of Mo-
Morocco Inns popu lation OF about SU6u.oti0
people. and although most Of them are very
ons Of ahem sss
been Enm the royal treasury for some centuries.
and thick: 10 get inside these walls one las
70 pass through three Great iron doors Il
yet might not be able to secure the TREASURE.
11eh interior s long narrow hall. as dark as
is saspz " fhf
which is let into tho, stone flooring. and leads
t to an Underground apartment where where TIE
constantly BY 800 negro slaves. Who are a part
%ted to eave the never per-
The treasure house Is opened only once =
person Or sends ono OF his most trusted on
elals. The purpose, usually. Is not to take any
cause tho Sultan retains from the taxes q sum
cient sum to meet u i the expenses Of his court
na hsa lad
time with the BerbeTs who are in rebellion
often. and determined. apparently. to make the
Sultan's lilo burden to him, the acoumula-
tlons in tho treasury are not diminished.
The sub-treusuries. which have existed
within the past few years only. are & Fer. the
south OF the Atlas, Mountains. among the
Filali people Tho shrewd sultan. y hiding .
Rro,yIdins: undoubtedly; for the Possibllity
and seek safety in Hight some day. He pro.
poses. II that unhappy event occurs. TO have
Is not accessible, easily: Il Is said that the
than the amount deposited in the other sub.
treasures. and that the Sultan has been CON
"a most u ot ths money ne Keeps 4
tbs city Of Morocco, and should the Sultan be
Involved In war with an invading European
Prissss would bG to sst RossessiSn Of ne treas
guard the house are. called the black
guard. great many, fsHes and rumors about
this treasure house have been recorded. but
the foregoing facts are unexaggsratsd. and
very little more Is kpown actually about this
treasure.