New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-25
MOROCCO TO-DAY.
Il Study of the Country by a
French TraUeller.

FrencD IT0CeIGT.
Paris, June 5.
French diplomatist. n. Decos, who has
passed several years studying the systems OF
British administration and rule in India and in
Egypt. has just written a timely and exceed
ngly interesting book on Morocco, where he
made journeys covering the period from Sep
tenber 1892, TO December. 1903. In Difference
10 Oriental susceptibilities. NJ. Decos conceals
his identity under the nom de plume OF Eugene
Aubin," and his lie Marco d'Aujourdhui pub
lshed yesterday by Armand Colin, with excel
lent maps, forms the best up to date volume on
Sunset Land that has far appeared IN the
French language. The AngIo-French treaty OF
April s. 1904, places Morocco under French
tutelage, fact promptly and forcibly recognized
by the United States government in the nego-
tiations for the release Of Mr.. Perdicaris. This
gives actually to NJ. Decoss work. which sets
forth in vivid colors tine task and responsibility
undertaken by France in thus rounding OFF,
her African dominions already consolidated by
the recent expeditions of Captain L Enfant, Com
mandant Laperine and Captain Sheveniaux. who
have successfully accomplished the mission OF
joining together Algeria and the French Soudan
The aim of the French Colonial party is to add
Morocco TO the French African Empire. The
Sahara, between Tuat and Tlmbuctoo and from
Nigeria to Lake Tchad, is policed by the
camel corps kept constantly in movement by
the Governor General at Algiers. NJ. Decos
however. does not venture upon any forecasts
IN regard to French policy in Morocco. He has
contented himself with collecting a vast amount
Of practical information about the country, which
differs from all other Mosem lands and. isolated
in an almost impenetrable corner of Africa, be-
tween the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, has
for centuries remained closed to European ideas
and enterprise.
Morocco is at present in a state OF anarchy
Turbulent. nomadic Arab tribes, perpetualy
fighting each other, but ever ready to Join to-
gether against the hated Christian foreigner
just now have everything their own way. The
Sultan. Moulay Abdel-Aziz. a well meaning. i'm
petuous youth OF twenty-five. is unable TO main
tain his authority elsewhere than about his own
capital of Fee and in a few seaports under the
guns Of foreign war vessels. The Sultan. whom
the author knew fairly well. is the younger son
Of the late Sultan Moulay-el-Hassan by favor
tie Circassan slave Of Russian descent, LaIla-
Reqia. In 1893 AIoulay ell Hassan disinherited
his eldest son. Prince Moulay ATohammed, whose
conduct and character were deplorable, and ac-
corded the 'parasol' or emblem Of succession
to the throne to Prince Moulay Abde-Aziz
who became Emperor on the death of his father
in 1894 The new Sultan, only fourteen years
Of age. kept in leading strings by his
mother, the fair and captivating Lalla- Reqia
and by the negro Chamberlain, STAINED BEN
Moussa, who welded the regency with an iron
hand. making himself Grand Vizier and naming
his brothers respectively Minister Of War
and Grand Chamberlain. STAINED ben Moussa
from 1894 until his death in 1900 was the alb
solute master Of the country. He proved him
self able general and reduced the nomad
tribes to obedience. He promised to become q
scrt Of Moorish Rchelieu. He centralized the
governing power at Fee and made his authority
felt TO the extreme limits Of the frontier. When
STAINED died. four years ago, the young mex
perienced Sultan remained for q while under
the influence of his mother. and upon her advice
appointed the late Si-Ahmed's secretary Grand
Nizier. The new minister continued the policy
OF the late Regent. but in April 1901. the Sui
tan, following his own impulses and passions,
dismissed the Grand Vizer and replaced him by
Si-Feddoul Gharnit. who was nothing better
than a mere imperial "amuser,'' grossly fiatter-
ing his young sovereign and pandering to his
frivolous tastes. The strong administration es-
tablished by STAINED was swept aside, the ira
dtiOns Of religion and custom were trampled
upon and rebels like Bou Hamara and others
easily worked up the nomad tribes into open
against the Sultan.
Personally. the Sultan. Moulay-Abdel-Aziz IS
strong. healthy young man of twenty-five,
with puffed. swollen face. He has beard not
yet fully grown, except in two irregular tufts
that hang from his cheeks like whislsers He
usually wears the common Moorish djellaba OF
white cloth, enveloping the body. The Sultan
is visibly embarrassed when he receives official
visitors. He is naturally shy and awkward His
words are rare and his gestures are few. The
only amiable feature is his smile. On the other
hand. when surrounded by his intimate friends
he is exceedingly gay and familiar. He then
seems bright. intelligent and well bred. He ap-
pears 10 be really DESTROYS Of instructing HIM
self, and anxious to accomplish something
full Unfortunately, he is accessible only to the
narrow circle OF makhzen. who try to monopo-
lie their master by base hattery and obsequious-
ness. and to small clique OF rather shady Eu-
ropeans- His Moorish subjects see him only
during the hieratic appearance he makes in pub
lie at each OF the three great religious fes-
| tiyities Of the year Consequently. all sorts of
extravagant reports circulate concerning the
| habits and customs of this ruler-half OF which
are not true.
There is refinement or culture about the
| Sultan's solitary existence. He lives on the
| ground floor OF his palace In a vast room the
] windows Of which overlook the imperial gar