The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-09-20
RAISULI's OWN STORY.
Moroccan Agitator Tells of His Many
Grievances.

Moorish bandit. written tor a CORE
Spondent Of the London Mail, of how
he became al outlaw:
"Abdul Rahman, former basha Of
Taneier, was the cause Of my first
quarrel with the government. He
oppressed me and seized my proper
ty and that Of my relatives and
friends.
II am of Shereefan birth and have
in my possession letters addressed to
my ancestors by sultans who owe
their throne to my people, confer
ring privileges upon them and ac
knowledging their descent from the
prophet. These royal letters the pres
ent sultan renewed, exempting my
family from taxation and forbidding
oppression of them. Rahman ignored
these commands, and was ever intrl-
euine against me and seeking to de-
prive me Of my liberty. Finally he
caused me to be arrested on charge
of which I was innocent. | was tax
en- to Mogador and cast into prison,
where I remained five years with
head bowed before the will Of Allah.
I lifted my eyes and besought the
Most Merciful to hear my prayer.
''The days Of man are numbered,
and even chains cannot bind for all
time. The Most Merieful heard my
cry and opened the prison door. I
went forth to my village.
''What did T find? Not vestige of
my possession remained. Even my
papers had been taken by the basha
and his people. Meanwhile Rahman
had been appointed basha of Fee, and
his place was taken at Tangier by
Sadiek Bargash. I took no measures
Of revenge, but put myself under the
wing Of the government, hoping that
it would do justice. Bargash promis-
ed restitution. That promise was ney-
er fulfilled.
"Then did I shoulder my rifle and
demand justice. Again the basha sill
enced me with fair promises. My
friends advised me to lay aside my
rifle. I consented. Still nothing was
done. I could not even recover my
private debts. Despairing Of justice
I went to the tribe Gharbia, six
hours from Tangier, where I had a
farm. NJ yintention was to collect a
few cattle and devote myself to ag
riculture. I desired to live in peace.
But again men spoke evil Of me.
Bargash sent men to surround my
farm, and when they came out they
fired on me. But Allah cast a shield
before me. The men Of the village
came to the rescue, and drove off the
soldiers whom the basha had sent to
slay me. I complained to Tangier
and had no reply. Friends wrote that
: the government was bent on my de-
struction. I feared to 60 to Tang1er,
but went and saw Torres (then min
lister of war and a man of great in
fluence).
"I told him I was just released
from prison at Mogador, and that
there had been another attempt on
my life. Torres replied: The man
who has no fire may borrow an ember
from his neighbor. Return to your vii
lage. To those who are kind to you be
kind; those who are unkind repay in
the same coin.' I. went back to my
village and after short interval de-
parted for Arzila, whose kaid, Abol-
am bin Abdul Sudack, cousin of Alb
dull Rahman, was my greatest friend.
He invited me to live at Arzila and
escape the jurisdiction of Bargash.
II stayed two months at Arzila,
eating out Of the same dish as the
governor Then the pretender took
the field, and the basha Of Fee was
sent to Algiers. On the way he stop
ped at Tangier, where he met my
cousin from Arzila and poisoned bis
mind against me. A hundred men
were sent to seize me. By Gods mer-
cy was not at Arzila, having gone
to the country Of Gharbia to look af-
ter my property. Letters from Fee,
Tetuan and Tangier warned me that
the governor Of Arzila sought my
life. I did not believe it; for were
we not the best of friends? Soon af-
terwards I sent men to Arzila to buy
provisions. Soldiers refused to permit