New-York tribune., 1907-09-24

proper police regulations in the seaports Of Mo
rocco. The direct cause OF the movement was the
murder July 30 Of seven Europeans at Casa
blanca France and Spain acted with the consent
Of the powers. and power inteTfered with their
operations although at one time Germany gave
evidence that she viewed the landing Of a numerous
French force in Morocco with apprehension. not
say distrust.
Spain took minor part in the campaign, and
the major share Of the credit for putting down the
turbulent Arab tribesmen undoubtedly is Frances.
Disorder and anarchy had regned in Morocco for
time previous TO the Casa6anca massacre.
The Sultan, Abd-el-Aziz had practically no control
large section Of his territory. His trizsnen
refused to pay taxes, fanatical pretenders to the
throne led bands of raiders the interior and the
bandit Resuli, in the latter part of June. made
Caid Sir Harry MacLean. the English commander
OF the sutans bodyguard, his prisoner.
On the pretext that they were displeased with
the harbor works al Casablanca the Of three
tribes entered that port July 80 massacred the
native guards and killed seven Europeans. France
and Spain st decided that drastic measures
were necessary. and concentrated military and
naval forces with rapidlty.
In the mean time the Moo~s had invested Casa
blanca from the land side. In spite Of the exodus
Of Europeans after the massacre. there were still
many Frenchnen in Casablanca August whose
lives were considered in danger. Consequently
France sent in q landing party from her cruisers
in the bsy. TIE Moors fired the French where
for several hours. Men from the French warships
were then sent ashore to police the city. but the
force was inadequate. and for two da-s Casablanca
looted and pillsged by Moors from the
rounding territory. The casualties during the bonn
bardment were heavy. and during the lootng OF
the port the Moors treated the inhabitants with
ruthless and ferocious cruelty, killing right and
left and carrying women TO captivity
France sent troops 10 Casablanca
and General Drude placed in command of the
expeditioDary force. He established a camp few
miles outside the city, and there began series
of engagements between the French and the fanati-
cal tribesmen- Time and again the Moors charged
the French trenches with reckless only 20
be shot down IN large numbers by the French>ar-
tillery and rapd-lre machine guns.
Anarchy spread throughout Morocco, and the
European residents of interior points and several or
the coast towns fed TO places of safety.
Early in September General Drude, strengthened
by reinforcenents. assumed more aggressive pol
icv and inflicted such telling defeats upon the Moors
that by September 10 the tribesmen talking
peace. The first negotiations were futile. and II
was thought that the campaign would have TO ne
renewed but further conferences between the
French commanders and delegates from the tribes
men resulted unxpectedly in the acceptance or the
French Of peace, as related In the dispatch
from Paris.
France and Spain will now carry out the task OF
establishing an adequate police force in the Moroc-
seaports-
For the Sultan Of Morocco. Abd-el-Azz. the situ-
alton is still serious. He faces a strong move
ment led by his brother Mulai Hafg. to wrest the
throne from him: the disloyalty of his tribesmen
IS widespread. and the infiction Of punishments
and the collection of indemnities through the
French doubtless will add to his unpopularity among
his own people His tendency toward Western
,deas is far too strong 10 suit them already.
Caid Sir Harry MacLean is still a prisoner. all the
negotiations for his release having failed