The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-11-22
THE WAR IN MELILLA.
Go nyicts Conducting a Guerll a
Crusade Agail st the Rlfians.

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LONDON. Nov. %, 1S93.-A despatch via
Malaga from the Unite / States represent
ta5ive at Melllla, bearing date Of Monday
evening. says that a hurricane had lre-
vailed there for Two days. The weather
was so severe that it compelled a cessa-
tion Of work at the forts that are being
constructed By the Spauiards. The tents
occupied by the troops aud workmen
were blown down, and the camps were
inundated by the food that poured down
from the mountains.
The mail steamer for Malaga WAS
forced to put back to Meilla. aud remain
for forty eight hours Notwithstanding
the severity of the storm diminishing
proceeded between the Spanish and the
Rifians. Duripg the fighting two
Spaniards Were wo1nued by bullets fall
ing into the camp
The bann OF thirty convicts under com.
maud OF Captain Aria. who have hereto
fore done excellent WORK in fighting the
Rifians. continue to make trouble for the
sneniy. Every pighr they make sor-
ties from Melilla and carry pro-
visions to outlyiog forts. The
RifiaRs lie in wait for them, but
the convict band nearly every night
choose a new route. aud when the enemy
discovers them there is no tims fer the
Riffians 10 g4thsr in force to attack them.
Sometimes the conviots 30 on hunts for
the Rifians and kill so!ne of them. The
convicts are proving themselves experts
in this guerilla warfare. AMI are bscom>
ing a terror TO. the Rifians.
On Monday last tue convicts encouu-
tered a large DO iy Of Rtffians. The
former were ordered to charge upon
them, and they obeyed without hesisa-
tion. With fixed bayonets they rushed
upon che Riff ans under a heavy fire aad
put them to flight. One convict was
killed and two were wounded.
The bravery OF this band is highly
praised by the military authorities, and
1t Is generally thought that representa-
lions will be made to the government
that Will result in pardon bsing granted
to these men.
After the storm had subsidized the gen
eral operations Decame more brisk.
Artillery was placed 10 the new reaoubt
on the hill Santiago. which dominates
the Fra1ana Valley. 1t Is believed that
an advance will be made this week upon
the enemies trenches and beyond.
The plan GEMS to be to have three bat.
~Jalions, protected by artillery ana 1ueril-
rttorY and there encamD to protect the
forces employed In the construction of
the fort at SadI Guariach.
The fact that certain persons in Melll!a
are giving aid to the enemy is bitterly
commented upou by those who have to
do the fighting.
A conrt martial was held on Saturday
to Try some of these Offenders. Twelve
Spanish jews, In whose houses rifles that
were intended tor the Riffians were
found, were each sentenced to six years
penal seryisude.
On Monday afternoon the klfiaus sent
an envoy to General Macias. the Spanish
commander. An interview vas 9rapted,
mud the chief declared that the Riffians
were ready for peace. He had already,
he added. compelled a portion OF the
Rif1ans to cease fighting. He an
nounced that Muley Arsaf.. brother of TIT
Sultan of Morocco, who. with a cons
pany Of cavalry, is encamed within foar
hours of the spanish lines. had resolved
to send three hundred rebels TO Melilla
as prisoners to be punished as the
Spaniards pleased. Muley Araaf, he
added, would come to Melllla OH W ed
nesday. In conclusion he asked that a
truce be declared until Saturday.
General Macias distrusted the ENJOYS
and refused to grant their request.