New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-04
BLOODY FIGHT WITH MOORS.
SPANISH TROOPS ATTACKED.
THE GARRISON OF MELILLA BESlEGED By
SIX THOUSAND MOSLEM WARRIORS.
EIGHTEEN sPANIARDs KILLED AND THIRTY
FIVE woUNDLD-GAlLANT sORTIES UPON
THE ATTACKING FORCE RELIGIOUS
FURY ROUSED BY THE DEsTRUC-
TION OF MOsQUE-THE AS
SAlIANTS SUE FOR PEACE

Madrid. 3.-Ihc Spanish authorities recently
decided to 81 gthen their fortication at MellIla
|, town on the northern coast of Morocco. This
incensed the Moors. and yesterday morning more
than 5000 natives attacked the Spanish garrison
which consisted of not more than 400 men. The
Spanish troops fought throughout the day with
out relief The situation was becoming critical
when the white people of the town, without re-
gard to nationality, offered to assist them.
civilian corps was at Oncesorgamzed and took part
in the defence They were greatly outnumbcred
by the Moors however, and were finally compelled
TO retire into the fortress, in the outskirts of the
town. Eighteen Spaniards were killed and thirty
FIVE wounded, including three officers, whose in
juries are serious
The Moors then attempted 10 take the citadel
by assault They swarmed up the roadways and
tried in every way TO scale the walls The be-
leaauered men poured voliey after volley at them,
but as the Moors did not fight in regular order,
the fire was not destructive As it might have
been.
The Spanish artillery did great execution. The
rupncrs directed their hrc upon mosque and
almost completely DESTROYED it. General Margallo,
who was in command of the garrison, especially
distinguished himself by his sallantry. lie
called for volunteers and nearly every man offered
their head and made sorie upon the Moors
The latter relocated. keeping up heavy fire upon
the whites until the Moors who had been opcrat-
ing on the other side of the citadel, came TO their
assistance when the defenders were driven back.
These sorties were repeated throughout the day,
but the Moors managed to hold their position The
natives were armed with Remington rifles, and
fought with fanatical fry, paying no attention
TO the showers of bullets aimed at them.
A small body of well-liillcd and wcll-handed
Spanish cavalry proved Of the utmost service.
Toward the end of the day the Moors abandoned
their guerilla warfare and formed themselves into
ranks. Then, shouting their battle cries, they
advanced upon the citadel When they were close
TO the wall the heavy main gate swung open. and
out charged the cavalrymen. They dashed into
the ranks Of the advancing Moors. their keen
edged sabres swinging right and left among the
enemy, who broke ranks and retreated Tho
cavalry then retired behind the walls, and awaited
the second onslau chit Of the Noors, who were not
disheartened by their losses. Several charges
were made, always with the same result lhe
Moors would retreat until the chase was abai-
doned, when they would again assume the onen-
sive
Northern Morocco has been greatly excited by
the news and the fanaticisn Of the habitants Is
being aroused BY Mahometan demands for re-
venge upon the "infidels" for destroying the
mosque The attacking Moors are chiefly members
of the Riff tribes, who lnhabit the mountains in
Northern Morocco, and over whom the Sultan has
no control 1t is thought that nothing but the
most severe punishment will induce them to desist
from attacks upon the SunlaTds.
special steamer left Malaga late this afternoon
for Melilla with battery of artillery on board
The Government has ordered that the troops gar
risoned in Cadiz. Malaga, Almera and Seville he
made ready for immediate service. The armoreh
broadside ship Numancia, one of the largest YES
sells in the Spanish navy, is at Almcria with
steam up waiting TO embark troops for MeliIla
The Moors asked for truce this morning
The request was granted and both sides buried
their dead this afternoon The Moors have sued
for peace The Government has promised 70
make reparation and has assured Spain OF lts
most earnest efforts 70 repress the savagefy OF
the hostile tribes Most OF the tribes ar" re-
ported 20 have promised TO abstain from all
further hostities agains: the Mel lila garrison,
but there is little confidence that they will keep
their word.