The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-29
ROUT OF The MOORISH ARMY
VICTORY OF THE PRETENDER
COMPL ETE.
Rifles, Ammunition, Tents and Beasts
of Burden nnd Fled PTecipitateiy TO
Fez-BeIlef That the city WIll Revolt
and Civil War Ensue.


London, Dec. 2S.-The complete rout
at Taxa of the Moorish imperial army
by rebels under the leadership of the
pret ender to the throne, which was re-
ported December 20. has now been Off
ciaIly confirmed. The imperial forces
abandoned their guns, rifles, ammuni-
tion, tents and beasts of burden, and
fled precipitately to Fee.
Tangier, Morocco, Friday, Dec. &c.
On December % ten Thousand Sheree-
fan troops, commanded by a brother of
the sultan's minister of war, received
orders to concentrate and take the Of
fensive against the pretender at Taxa.
Before the Shereefians moved upon him
the pretender attacked them with large
bodies of cavalry. The imperial army
was surrounded, completely routed and
fled in disorder toward Fee, abandoning
all material of war. The first fugitives
arrived at Fez on the morning of De-
cember "a.
The gates of Fez are at present shut,
shops are closed and the population is
excited, but there has been no disorder.
| The European colony of FeZ, number
ing about twenty persons, is taking no
steps to leave the town and appears to
be satisfied that it Is in no imminent
danger although the situation is re-
garded as serious. 1t is said that the
pretenders followers have received nu-
merous additions since his successes,
and he is already negotiating with the
tribes Of the Wedmaweb valley. The
population of Fez is said to be generally
hostile to the sultan and ready to ac-
claim any pretender who will guaran-
tee the town from pillage.
| No details of the imperial losses have
vet been received here, but 1t is rumor-
ed that two thousand of the sultan's
soldiers were killed or wounded. The
authorities here are trying to minimize
the disaster. 1t is declared that a sec
tion of the imperial troops sent as rein
forcements deserted to the rebels and
aided in driving the loyal troops back
to FeZ.
| London, Dec. 29-The Times publishes
| a dispatch from Tangier dated Decem-
her 2T, in which the correspondent says:
IT got away from Fez just in time. I
| arrived here this morning with the first
news of the disaster. The rebels are re-
ported to be marching on Fez, which is
| incapable os defence for more than a
few days, owing to its position, the alb
solute lack os a supply of provisions
and a ruinous state Of the town walls.
The population will remain loyal only
as long as the sultan can protect and
feed them A few days of siege means
starvation. The sultan may attempt
to escape, but in that case Fez will
| acknowledge the pretender.
'"The sultans troops were disastrously
routed; the remnant fled to Fez, aban-
doning everything, artillery, tents, rifles,
ammunition, money and stores. Practic-
ally the whole army was routed AS
comparatively very few troops were left
in Fez. The road from Fez to Tangier Is
open and safe at present, but the .; e.
tenders prestige will receive an enor-
NOUS stimulus and loyal tribes will join
his cause. If the sultan escapes or can
defend Fez the south will support him.
in which case civil war is inevitable"
Mr.. Harris, the correspondent of Tire
Times at Fez is said to be a confidential
adviser of the sultan Of Morocco.