The National tribune., 1894-07-12
ABOUT MOROCCO.
A Land About Which There is Little Kn

|
Once more in the whirIygig of time the
eyes of the civilized world are turned
toward Morocco, the terra incognita among
nations, and the increasing troubles at the
old Spanish town of MALTA, or Melilla, as
it is now called, may prove to be the spark
! which will set aflame all the hatred so long
kept in the background for the past centu-
ries felt by the Moor for the Christian. Mo-
| rocco, corrupted from Marrakush, is that
| country in the northwestern corner of the
| great African continent, having the Medter-
ranean Sea ON it's northern boundary and
| the Atlantic Ocean on it's west, says the
| Washington Star.
| With so little known concerning the
| country 1t is difficult to give much data,
| but enough is matter of record to say that
| the area of the Sultanate of Merrakush is
| about 305,500 square miles, but informa-
| ton in detail about this portion of Africa is
| 70 meager that even the maps to be consulted
| are composed for the most part of unscentific
material eked out by probability and con-
| lecture The four great cities of the coun-
try, historical landmarks from the days when
civilization was young in the world, are
Tangiers, Fee, MequineZ and Morocco, but
| even In the country inciosing these monu-
| ments of glorious past few miles either
way from the beaten track of European
travel for centuries the country remains
practically unknown.
Melilla is q fortified town, built on high
rocky peninsula, and framed by forbidding
nights against which the winds Of untold
centuries have beaten until the cliffs are
worn and gnawn, as though by the tooth of
time. The place has been held by the
Spaniards since 1868, and is but a short
distance from Fort Rosario, to which it is
connected by lines of rampant. Between
Melilla and Point Quiviana runs low, sandy
shore in front of a great salt marsh, from
which, under the swetering suns of Sum-
mer, unutterable smells emanate with a
freedom born of long practice.
The Spanish. Government occupies several
points of vantage in this portion of the
S1ltanate, and is not likely to give them
up without sturdy fight.
The population of Morocco is supposed to
be in the neighborhood of six and a half
millions but exactness of statement is so
difficult to attain that these figures may be
modified at will.
TaDgiers, often called "The White" from
its number of whitewashed houses and
walls, is within plain view of the Spanish
coast opposite, and is the official residence
of the representatives Of nearly every civ
lilZeu country In Europe.
On most maps the interior of the country
is represented as mountainous in the ex-
treme, but while more than one strongly
defined range traverses Morocco from east
to west the greater part of the surface is
really occupied by undulating, prairie-like
areas diversified by low hills.
The backbone of the country is the great
Atlas range of mountains, extending in
nearly unbroken line from one extremity to
the other, and reaching q maximum of
13, 500 feet in hight.
The camel is the great beast of burden in |
Morocco, although great numbers of asses |
and mules are employed.
The Arabian love for the horse is still |
shown throughout the country, and the |
breed, famous from remote times for its |
purity, retains the mark of excellence so
well defined across the border, in Arabia
Immense quantities of cork are annually |
sent to market from the interior and the |
forests producing this essential article are of
great extent, but are ruthlessly treated by |
the bark gatherers, so that gradual dimin-
ution in quantity and falling off in quality |
is noted from year to year.
Morocco was overrun and conquered by |
the Vandals in 429 of the present era, and
did not fall under Arab dominion for many
and it's inhabitants were called Mauri, or
Moors, an appellation retained to the pres
ent day, and which is believed to signify
black men," Following the conquest of
the Moors by Ferdinand and Isabella, large
numbers of Jews, expelled from Spain,
sought refuge in Morocco, and their progeny
have so increased and hourished that they |
form an important element in the popula-
ton.
Every city has its Jews quarter" and
to-day the Jew forms the great commercial
class of the country. They are said to
number from 10000 to 100000, and speak
a curious jargon in which are many words
of pure Spanish.
For various reasons England, France and
Spain have been particularly active in push
ing for supremacy in Morocco, but up to
the present time Spain seems to have main
tanned the advantage due to several GEN.
turtles of occupancy, and it is not improb-
able that before the ending of the present
century the yellow flag of Isabella the
Catholic may be in fair way to supplant
the red flag of the Sultan.
The grape is widely cultivated, aud the
of crude but palatable wines is
q leading industry among the Jews.
Hemp and tobacco are largely grown, the
former used as hasheesh and the latter as
snuff, the followers of the Prophet being
averse to smoking
Mineral deposits of great value and vari-
ety are believed to exist in Morocco, but
from the peculiar notions held by the reign
ing power no explorations are likely to be
made until the advent of more enlightened
ideas shall prevail.
Immense deposits of rock salt of fine
quality exist in various parts of the Sultan
ate, and trade in this precious commodity
is carried on far into central Africa