Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-26
A B OUT NOR OC c o
A Land About Which There 10 Little
Known.
1t Has Great Resources, but They
Have Never Been Developed-In-
terest I'm IL at Present.

Written for The Evening Star.
Once more in the whirlIgig Of time the
eyes Of the civilized world are turned to-
ward Morocco the terra incognita
among nations, and the increasing trou-
bles at the old Spanish town of Ma
lila, or Melilla, as 1t is now called.
may prove to be the spark which
will set aname all the hatred SO long
kept in the background for the past
centuries felt by the Moor for the
Christian. Morocco. corrupted from Nara
kush, is that country In the northwestern
corner of the great African continent. hav-
ing the Mediterranean sea on its northern
boundary and the Atlantic ocean on its
west.
Little Known Of the Country.
With SO little known concerning the coun-
try II Is difficult to give much data, but
enough Is matter of record to say that the
area of the suitanate of Marrakush is
about 3Oo.1oO square miles. but information
IN detail about this portion of Africa is SO
meager that even the maps to be consulted
are composed for the most part of un-
scientific material eked out by probabilities
and conjecture. The four great cities Of the
country, historical landmarks from the
days when civilization was young In the
world, are Tangier. Fec. Mequinez and
Morocco. but even in the country inclosing
these monuments Of a glorious past a few
miles either way from the beaten track OF
European travel for centuries the country
remains practically unknown
Melilla Is fortified town built ON a
higf rocky peninsula. and framed by for
bidding heights against which the winds
OF untold centuries have beaten until the
cliffs are worn and gnawn as though by
a nj 1oo k.2x., n
by the Spaniards since l6a3, and il but a
short distance from Fort Rosario to which
II Is connected by lines OF rampant Be
tween Melilla and Point Quiviana runs a
low. sandy shore in front Of a great salt
marsh. from which, under the sweltertng
suns or summer. unutterable smells eman-
ate. with a freedom born Of long practice.
Inc Spanish government occupies several
points or vantage In this portion of the
sultanate, and IS not likely 70 give them up
without sturdy fight.
IDS Population.
The population Of Morocco is supposed to
De In the neiChborhood Of six and a half
millions. but exsctness Of statement is SO
dimcuit to attain that these figures may be
modined at will; no one can controyert a
statement when knowledge is at a discount.
morocco was overrun and conquered by the
Nandals In 429 of the present era and did
not taIl under Arab domination for many
years Following. and was called Mnuretania
aho us inhabitants were called Mau-i. or
saoors. AT appellation retained TO the present
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
creased and nourished that they form an
important element In the population $50
Every city has its Jews quarter" and
today the Jew forms the great commercial
a nj fhA
number from 10000 to 900. 600. and sneak 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
tained the advantage due to several CEN
turtles OF occupancy. and II Is not improba-
pie that before the ending Of the present
century the yellow nag Of Isabella the Cath
Ole may be in a fair way to supplant the
red nag Of the sultan.
TanRiers, the White.
Tangiers. 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 civil
llzed country In Europe.
On most maps the interior Of the country
Is represented as mountainous in the ex-
IRENE, but while more than one strongly
DEFINED range t.averses Morocco from east
to west the greater part Of the surface Is
really occupied by undulating prairie like
areas diversified by low hills
Inc backbone OF the country is :he great
Atlas range Of mountains. extending in
nearly unbroken line from one extremity to
the other. and reaching a maximum of Is. 200
feet in height.
Snow lies on many of the SUBMITS until
late in the summer, but SO far as is known
rome OF them retain their snow throughout
the year.
The principal rivers take their rise in this
range OF mountains. and their channels are
alternately flooded or left dry as the snow
among the defiles is melted by the summer
sun or frozen by the cold Of winter
Inc camel Is the great beast OF burden in
MOROCCO. although great numbers OF asses
and mules are employed. az
The Arabian love for the horse is SIN
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.
Some Products.
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 a gradual dimi-
mutton In quantity and a falling off In quai.
ity is noted from year to year 'sfs .
The prickly pear forms one of the promi-
nent features in the landscape from the
coast up to the slopes Of the noun tains. and
its fruit, difficult of preparation and com
paratvely tasteless. is much sought after
by the natives OF the country.
The grape Is widely cultivated. and The
manufacture Of crude but palatable wines
Is a leading industry among the Jews
Hemp and tobacco are largely grown the
former used as hasheesh and the latter a $
snun. the followers of the prophet being
averse to smoking.
Mineral Deposits.
Mineral deposits Of great value and va
riety are believed to exist in Morocco but
from the peculiar notions held by the reign
Ing power no explorations are likely 10 be
made until the advent Of more enlightened
ideas shall prevail. and the hidden wealth
of the country can be submitted to the on
terprise Of more civilized peoples
Immense deposits of rock salt of fine
quality exist in various parts Of the sui
tanate, and trade in this precious commod-
lty Is carried on far into central Africa.
To the south Of the Atlas range valuable
deposits OF anthony are known to exist
but no attempt has been made In modern
times to survey or work them
From all of which II appears that Mo-