Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-28
The Rich Escape Taxes.

One perplexity is the status of the Shereef
of Wazzan. who is revered throughout the
Barbary states as the descendant of the In
dreesi family and ST Zarhon family, and is
very rich and is also a large land owner in
Algeria. His influence is religious rather
than political.
The failure of the ministers at Fee to
agree on a new taxation scheme due to
the objection of the French minister to tax
the Shereef of Wazzan. The other minis
tiers said that if the richest family was to
be protected by one power they would not
give UP protecting those who were less rich.
The sultan, in addition to other reasons
for reforming the Moroccan system of tax
alton, must have more money with which
to pay the semi-military police establish
ment which the powers wish to form.
Tariff System Proposed.
An interesting feature of the session was
the presentation by the Moroccan de.ega-
ton of an elaborate protective tariff sys-
tenn. This caused surprise and amusement
among the delegates of the powers, but the
Moors were proud of giving evidence of
modern economic methods Their proposed
rates averaged 20 per cent ad .valorem and
in some cases much higher, tobacco being
taxed 100 per cent and tea, coffee and SUI
gar 40 per cent, with internal revenue taxes
on theaters, cafes and business transac-
lions.
Sid Mohammed Ell Mokhri remarked that
this increase of duties on foreign imports
would give the sultan plenty of revenue TO-
meet expenses. Consideration of the plan
was deferred. t ~a-s'
The French delegates also tentatively put
forth plan for moderate horizontal ad-
vance in the customs duties, These and
other tax questions finally went over to
Monday.
Private Conferences
Private conferences continue concerning
the Franco German differences regarding
Morocco's political future. These have de-
veIoped plan whereby Italy would be
charged with the organization of a semi
military police. This would be acceptable
te~Germany who is willing that any power
except France shall police the country
1t is not yet clear. however, whether
France is willing to turn over the police to
Italy, although some of the delegates say
that the prospects are encoQTa ging of a
solution along this line.
An odd experience OF the Spanish cruiser
lnfanta Isabel, while patrolling the Moroc-
can coast to prevent the smuggling of arms,
was reported to the conference by her COM
mander who returned here Tuesday.
Rebel Cruiser Incident
While the cruiser was close to the shore
the flag of. Boghi the sultan's formidable
rebel subject, was observed flying from a
staff with the French flag under it. A boat
manned by Moors and displaying the French
flag put off from the shore, pulled along
side the cruiser and handed to the captain
of the 1nfanta Isabel, which the MoorS
evidently had mistaken for French vessel,
a message from Roghi inviting her COM
mander to come ashore and placing him
self at the latters' disposition
The commander of the Spanish cruiser
he was without the right to search for
eign vessels, did not attempt to interfere,
but put back to Algeciras in order to advise
the Spanish delegates of the mysterious flag
incident.
Raisuli in Battle.
AGvices received here from Tangier by
the delegates TO the conference are to the
effect that serious disorders have been re-
newed between Raisuli, the bandit chief
and the Anjera tribesmen.
One of the Anjera chiefs was killed and
others of them, with large followings, are
uniting for the purpose of decisive strug-
gle with Ra:suli.
Some of the Moroccan Specialists attend
ing the conference hastily returned to Tan
ger. 1t is believed here that an encounter
between the two elements is imminent.