The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-18

Casa Blanca, Aug. Is.-An attack by the
Moors in force on the city is feared to-
day.
1t is expected this viii be the outcome
of Gen. Drude's failure to reply to the
ultimatum sent him yesterday by the
Kabyles tribesmen. demanding the sur
render Of the town, under penalty Of the
place being destroyed and all French
men externinsted.
Every preparation has been made for an
attack to-day. Last night the guards at
all outposts were doubled.
1t is known that heavy re-enforcements
have joined the Moors in the last Few
hours. Twenty thousand tribesmen are
now believed to be eamped near the city.
Badly Outnumbered.
While this force outnumbers the for
eign soldiers nearly six TO one. Gen. Drude
is confident he can hold the town. Should
the natives succeed in capturing it a
frightful massacre is predicted.
With the arrival Of Spanish reinforce
ments. he now has $500 men. He copsId-
ers his position impregnable. Eighteen
guns have been mounted on the defenses
commanding the approaches from every
direction, and controlling all the heights.
Gen Drude says no Moorish force can
approach within 200 yards without being
discovered.
Even II We are attacked on all sides at
once, We viii stiI have nothing to fear"
Is the way he summarizes the situation.
So confident is the commander that he
does not believe another general attack
viii be made on the city. despite the cali
Of the MoOrs for a general assault
The loss OF his throne may be the
price the Sultan OF Morocco viii pay for
the present uprising throughout ms
country. While so far TIE agitation has
been directed to driving out al foreign
eTs. it is expected to eliminate IN 4
united effort 20 overthrow the sultan. Il
is the fear OF such an attempt II il
reported, which has caused the palace
guards at Fez TO be greatly strengthened
and led to all the consulates there being
placed under military protection.
Many Aspire 10 Throne.
Several aspirants to the throne are
known to be Perfecting arrangements 10
seize the coveted prize il. the opportunity
presents itself Chief among them is Bu
Hamara, whose pretensions have long
kept the Sultan in a state Of unrest
He is known 10 have recruited his army
extensively from the tribesmen who have
rushed down from the interior in the hope
Of looting other cities during the holy
war.
Mulsi Hand. the Sultan's uncle. while
outwardly appearing loyal to him. is also
said TO be planning a coup designed to
place him on the throne In the south
ern part Of the country. there are several
powerful Caids whose ambitions to as
sumo supreme power have bIossomed out
during the present disturbances.
Army of Little Avail.
Against the united forces Of any OF
these native chiefs the Sultan's army
would be practically helpless
European support is about the only
thing that can assure his continued
ascendency. Once the natives are led L
believe foreign soldiers will not be USED
against them. it Is asserted a coalition OF
opposition forces will be formed that vii
result in the Sultan's overthrow.
1t is this danger which causes the sit.
uatiOn in Morocco TO appear so danger.
Gus TO Europeans. There are not enough
soldiers in Morocco TO preserve order Il
an organized effort is made 10 overthrow
the Sultan. In the fighting which is Ger.
tain 10 follow any attempt to take Fez
it is feared foreigners would be the
greatest sufferers. Tangier would als<
be attacked in such an event and for.
eigners there would probably become TIT
victims Of such an assault.
Want Disturbances Ended.
| The greatest anxiety is manifested
among foreigners for the present dis
turbances to be speedily put down.
The unwuIingness Of France to SEND
strong re-enforcements is regarded as q
tacit invitation to the Moorish tribesmer
TO broaden the scope of the uprising. ant
every day the agitation for the overthrow