The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-11-21
MOROCCO IN THE aoth CENTURY.
Information Up to Date Concerning one of
the Least Known Empires, Mogador, Mo.
roccos only SEAPORT on Six Hundred
Miles of Atlantic Coast.
Especial Correspondence of The Journal

IRENE East" -indicateS its geographical
position. Occupying the northwest
corner of the African continent, it has
fully six hundred miles of Atlantic
coast, and about half that distance
bordering the Mediterranean. Correct
ly speaking, Morocco is three kingdoms
in one, with three distinct capitals,
which are visited in turn by the Sultan
and his army.
Having had a glimpse of Fee, the
most important of the trio of royal
cities, we decided to see something of
this southernmost capital. To reach
the City of Morocco you may patron
iZe the comparatively new coast rail
way; or choose the older slower and
cheaper transit of the ocean-by coast
ing vessel through the Strait of Gibral-
tar, around Cape Spartel and down the
Atlantic to Mogador, the only port on
Morocco's ocean side; and thence the
best way you can, two hundred and
fifty miles inland
The new railroad, by the way, trav-
erSes the northern edge of Africa more
than two thousand miles, sending out
spurs and feeders from various points
into the desert of Sahara The latest
project which will undoubtedly be car
RED through in the near future, is to
cross the great desert by a north and
mil N, no
Mediterranean away down into mys-
FERROUS 'Timbuktu. Soon as that feat
is accomplished, arteSian wells, irrigat
ing canals, and other engineering de-
vices will inevitably follow all, of
course, constructed by foreigners: when,
Prestol Sahara will vanish from the
face of the earth, and if the desert does
not actually blossom as the rose" it
will at least become as habitable as our
own Arizona. Already the Sultan of
Morocco-that high and mighty poten-
tate who has absolute control over the
lives and destinies of eight million sub
jectS-has given in to twentieth century
progress, not only to the extent of own
ing a bicycle presented to him by the
enterprising manufacturers) but of or
dering his hitherto Theoretically sealed
ports to be opened to the coast trade of
the country; just little crack in the
door, as 1t were, sufficient only to let
feluccas slip in. bringing fowls, grains,
vegetables and other food supplies from
port to port. Until lately that has never
Frequently wheat, corn, barley, etc,
have been so scarce in the neighborhood
Of Tangier that men and beasts died for
want of them: while at the same time,
farther down the coast-notably toward
satli, where the land is surprisingly fer
telegram has been so over abundant
that it was left to rot in the fields, not
bringing enough profit to pay for reap
ing. Yet not a bushel of it was per
mitted to be transported TO any other
port by seattle only practicable route
Mogador-knoWn to the MoorS as Sue
rah, Little Picture" and to the Arabs
as SWeera, ''The Beautifuf'-is by all
odds the best built town in Morocco,
owing, no doubt, to its later origin. 1t
is as an infant in arms among the hoary
African cities, having been built only
about two centuries ago, while most of
them, you know, can trace their begin
niIgs back into the misty past, two
thousand years or more. Mogador was
founded by the Sultan Sidi Mohammed
ben Abdullah ben ISurad, in honor of
Sidi Mogdal one of the most venerated
Saints i'll the Mohammedan category,
who died in this neighborhood. His
tomb is two or three miles south of
Mogador, half way to the village of
Diabal, and, standingclose to the ocean,
its tall white minaret forms striking
landmark visible far out on the stormy
Atlantic. So, whatever Sidi Mogdal
may have left undone in life he has
certainly performed excellent service
to humanity after death, by lifting a
colossal finger to warn mariners away
from this rock-bound coast.
Never was town more oddly situat-
ed than Mogador, on lofty, projecting
ridge of rock, which becomes an island
in certain frequent states of winds and
waves. A sea-wall protects the high
way to Satfi, which otherwise would be
generally under water; and the shallow
little bay, forever like a tempest in a
teapot, is said to be sheltered by near
by island, which serves also as the quar-
antine station of western Morocco.
The only protection afforded by the
island, however, is in the line of guns,
to keep invaders at respectful dis
lance, the so-called harbor being ex-
tremely dangerous when too prevalent
southwest winds are blowing At the
best, it is accessible only to smallest
craft, vessels of ordinary size being
compelled to anchor far outside, ex-
posed to the full fury of sirocco gales.
Hence the port is not much frequented,
and would probably never be visited by
fOrpipn ShinS were it. not for the fine