Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-05
HOW MAJ. PREVOSTFELL
FRENCH NEWSPAPERS COMMENT
ON MOROCCAN ENHANCEMENT.

PARIS. September 1.-The government
announced today that it was convinced that
the serious conflict in which eight French
men were killed near Casa Blanca occur
red Tuesday. September 3. and that Vice
Admiral Philibert's cable message of yes
terday referred TO the same engagement.
The special dispatches received here from
Casa Blanca differ In regard TO the details
of the recent fighting there. some Of them
emphasizing the falling back of the French
troops before a powerful onrush of the
Moors.
1t now appears that Maj. Provost OF the
foreign legion WAS killed in the thick of
the fighting which ragged at Sidi Nouns.
where the Moors attacked the French flying
column as It was returning from Littellil,
where bands of the enemy had been dis
persed. AS the Moorish hordes galloped
to the strife, chanting hymns, the French
lines were quickly formed to receive the
shock. Maj. Provost. who WAS in front OF
his men. said. Courage. my children"
and then turning once more to the bat
talon of the foreign legion. which he had
led so long. the major cried:
Forward. my children. forward"
At that moment a bullet pierced Prevosts
heart.
Turned the French Flank.
The fighting then became desperate, the
opposing Moors and egionaircs see-sawing
backward and forward about the body Of
the major, the men of the foreign legion re-
fusing to abandon their beloved command
er. Under the clashsof bayon and sword.
when men were falling right and left and
the field was covered With rideriess, mad
dened, wounded horses. the DICTIONARIES held
their ground until they succeeded in carry
ing off Prevost's body. During the lighting
the Moors succeeded in turning the French
flank. but the achievements hurried to the
front by Gen. Drude turned the tide of bat
tie and the conflict became Shambles for
the Moors.
Press Complaint.
The newspapers here generally comment
on the engagement as being an event nat
urally Incidental to the fulfillment of
Frances duty in Morocco. but they add
that Frances position is one of the police
man in that country, and brings her a
heavy share of the labor. and the situation
Is now referred to as being war, and
not an expedition OF pacitication."
The Gil Bias joins the Humante, the or
gan of NJ. Jaures, the socialist leader. in
calling for the convocation Of parliament.
and also re-echoes the demand that the
government call a conference of the pow
order to determine on the best course to
pursue.
Foreign Offices Statement.
After comforting with Marine Minister
Thomson and Foreign Minister Pichon, Pre-
mier Clemenceau this afternoon issued a
note which did not mention the fact that
the government had any intention of send
ing further reinforcements to Gen. Drlde.
M. Clemenceau said: mo news has been
received from Casablanca since yesterday.
THE situation at MagaZan Is normal
The captain Of the warship Condo. which is
there. has been instructed to notify Admiral
Philfbert In case the situation at Maga8an
becomes grave. but there is no need as
yet of an additional warship.
mo decision has been reached with refer
ence to the rifles stored at Mazagan, but
we have reason to believe that neither ADD
El-Axiz nor Mulai Haf1S intend to make
war against France.
"Advices received here from Tangier say
that the natives there remain calm. The
representative Of the French government at
Tangier reports that the fears Of the Euro
pean colony there are un1ustifed. The
exodus from that port. however. continues.
THE balloons DISPATCHED to Casablanca
for use OF the French troops Will soon ar
rive there. - -f,-.a.. -...--~ ...
The efforts made by some Spanish mer
chants to organize a police force at Casa
blanca have already been fruitful, as many
Moors have been recruited who are willing
to serve In q police force under European
officers. Other ports will receive attention
later"