Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-22
GERMANY LOOKING ON
Interested, But Not Active, in
Moroccan Crisis.
THINKS FRANCE BUNGLED
Dispatch of Warships to Casa Blanca
Not Well Handled.
FOG AND FIGHTING YESTERDAY
Drude's Force Will Soon Amount to
5000 Men-Thought That
This Is Ample.
FOG AND FIGHTING YESTERDAY

BERLIN, August 22.-The attention of
the German government is fixed upon the
events at Casa Blanca more than upon any
| other subject in Germanys external rela-
tons The presumption, of course, is that
the French government will observe its
declarations at the beginning of the opera
tons and remain in Morocco only long
enough to restore order. Yet the indica-
tons are that Frances definition of that
period will depend on developments in the
situation and may be a long one.
Dispatches from the German embassies
at Madrid and Paris report that negotia-
tons have been begun between France and
Spain looking to Fastening the organiza-
ton of the international Moroccan police.
Nothing in that direction appears to have
been done, except to appoint Col. Miller,
the Swiss officer, as commandant OF the
police force, nine months ago, and the ap-
pointment later of A. E. de Pury. secre-
tary of the Swiss legation at Washington,
to be Col. Miller's aid The explanation on
the subject made officially to the German
foreign office by the foreign Office at Paris
was that no funds were available for the
organization of the police. but it is under
stood here that an advance could be OBJ
tanned from the Moroccan state bank.
The French action in sending warships to
Casa Blanca in the circumstances is APP
proved here in principle, although officially
regarded as not being well managed, and
being characterized by a certain degree
of ferocity and slaughter that might have
been avoided. The reports of the German
agents have not yet established whether
the, French landing party or the Moors at
Casa Blanca fired first. The Moors aver
that the French opened fire, and British
subjects. whose property was destroyed by
the bOmbardment of the warships, intend,
according TO German information. to ask
payment from France. on the ground that
the bombardment was unnecessary.
shelled With Effect.
PARIS, August o2.-Vice Admiral Phili-
bert, commanding the French naval forces
off Casa Blanca, telegraphs that while the
Moors were advancing on the French camp
near Casa Blanca yesterday under the
cover of a fog the fog lifted and permitted
the French batteries ashore and af1oat to
shell the Moors with deadly effect. At 2
o'clock in the afternoon Gen. Drude had
moved forward his field guns to a ridge
situated about four miles from the camp.
whence he sheled the Moors, who were
then in full flight eastward.
Admiral Philibert reported that the ST.
uation elsewhere was practically I'M
changed.
The report that Mulai Hated, brother
of the sultan, had been proclaimed sultan
still lacks official confirmation
An ofnclal note was issued this morning
announcing that Gen. Drude, commander
of the French expeditionary force in Mo-
rocco. will, when the achievements now
on their way to Casa Blanca reach him.
have at his disposal 5000 men. which num-
the protection Of the town. unless the I'M
expected happens. for which emergency
further achievements are ready to en-
mark for Morocco.
1t Is stated that as result OF the cabinet
conferences and exchanges of views with
Premier Clemenceau who Is at Marienbad
where he met King Edward. the govern
ment remains firm in carrying out its pro-
gram which, 1t is reiterated, is not one Of
conquest
Mulai Hated Is Coming.
Special Cablegram to The Star
LONDON. August pa disnatch from,
Casa Blanca states that a large force of
mounted Arabs enveloped that city yester
day and charged the French position in the
face of a heavy fire from land and sea- The
attack was repulsed; but soon after.
great mass Of the enemy charged down the
valley. coming within four hundred yards
of the French artillery before they were
checked and driven back
An earlier message says that the strategic
situation is completely in the hands of the
Moors, who concentrate horsemen behind
complete cover and deliver attacks at nm
expected points. The great guns of the
warships no longer brighten the Moors
Their marksmen creep close to the crowded
camp. fire shot and then flee. Their horse
men appear bodily on the sky line OF the
hills, draw the fire of the French artillery
and vanish. to reappear at another point a
few hundred yards away. The French keen
iy feel their humiliating position and hope
they will soon have permission to advance
1t is reported that the rebellious tribes
around Casa Blanca have received letters
from Mulal Hated. who was recently pro-
claimed sultan at Marakesh promising his
e@rly arrival among them. He advises them
IN the meantime to refrain from attacking,
the Europeans.