The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1907-09-20
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Whatever may be the political out.
come Of the present conflict in Moroc-
CO, one thing is pretty certain and that
is that 1t will serve to break down
that impenetrable vail of mystery and
seclusion which has separated the last
Independent Mahometan empire of
Africa from the rest of the world. The
unprogressive, primitive nation must
yield at last to the march of progress;
the native customs and habits of the
people, many of them unwholesome
and debasing, will give place in time
to the civilizing influences which are
bound to be exerted there from now
on.
Morocco is the land where the last
open stand of the slave traffic was
made years ago, when it was being
driven out of the other sections of
slaves have been openly bought and
sold in the markets of the Moroccan
kingdom. But it is probable that the
futile struggle of hundred years to
suppress this Moorish slave trade will
end at last in victory.
The nations of Europe have done
what they could, and influential Moors.
requiring protection from their own
government and seeking that of
France, Great Britain or Germany are
absolutely forbidden to hold slaves,
but truth to tell this ordinance is en-
tirely Intellectual, and men, women and
children are at this hour sold openly,
not only in the interior, but under the
very eyes of the Tangier diplomats.
So delicate is the political situation
as regards Morocco that each of these
ministers has been afraid to take any
step in the matter without the coop
Grafton of all his colleagues.
All that has been gained is the aboli-
ton of public auctions in regular slave
markets in the coast ports. But in the
northern capital, Fee, and Marrakesh,
the southern capital, there Is a portion
of each city set apart as the slave
market, exactly as there are markets
Cor grain, fruit, horses, mules and
camels, cloth stuffs and other COM
tude toward his human purchase is
best seen in the following anecdote
told me by Sir John Drummond Hay:
A friend of the Spanish consul in
Mogador was on visit to Caid Sidi
El-Arbi, governor of Aida, and one
night in an inner court of the Masbah,
Or citadel, the Spaniard began to show
his skill with Mauaer rifle. He got
his own servant to hold playing card
between his fingers and he pierced it
three times out of TO II at hundred
yards.
Throwing back his haik the Caid
Ieaped up, crying: 81, too, can shoot;
give me the gun. MBaruk," he said
to Nubian slave squatting under the
red mud wall, take that barrada
(water jar) between thy legs" FL
Arbi got the European to measure of
$50 PAGES, then brought the rifle sharp
ly to his shoulder, and with MUIR
INJURED Praise to the Cine and Great"
took aim and fired.
The slave fell over sideways, pierced
through both ankles. His master.
throwing up his hands, walled: "Yala-
tiff, yalatif; I gave $50 TO. that fellow
last week and now he is useless!"
There is not in all the world a spec
tacle more impressive than the public
slave market of Marrakesh. 1t is an
open square fenced round with huts
near the center of vast rambling,
crumbling city of tabia, or red mud,
with walls over IL miles in circum-
ference. The avenues leading to 1t
are rcofed over with lanes, palm
leaves and vines, and the auction
takes place three times week just
before sunset.
The traveller, w. C. Fitzgerald, tells
of visit he made to ons Of these mar
kets. He says: I entered the market
about six o'clock. Not slave was to
be seen as I entered the great square.
But squatting down all around were
many hundreds of Arab men in robes
of spotless wool and silk, often with
their own little children by their side,
gorgeous ir every color of the rain
bow-scarlet and gold, crimson and
mauve, emerald green and indigo blue.
An Arab comes riding through, two
ear-ringed blacks with bright yellow
slippers running ahead to clear a path
for him. This Is ElGlawi, who col
lects the per capita slave tax for the
Moorish government. His entry is the
signal for the dilals, or autioneers, TO
come forth from the slave pens and
rarge themselves for prayer. The SET
ting sun is behind them as their lead
er lifts up his voice to the Most High
who gave the true faith through his
messenger" Blessings are called down