The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-09-29
RAISULI'S OWN STORY.
Moorish Bandit Writes Remarkable
Interview for English Newspaper.
(Morocco Cor. London Mail.


my ancestors by sultans who owe. their
throne to my people. comforting privil-
eyes upon them and acknowledging
their descent from the prophet. These
royal letters the present sultan re-
newed exempting my family from tax
alton and forbidding oppression of
them. Rahman ignored these COM
mands, and was ever intriguing
against me and seeking to deprive me
of my liberty. Finally he caused me
to be arrested on a charge of which l
was innocent. 1 was taken to NIGGA
dor and cast into prison. where 1 re-
NAMED five years with head bowed be-
fore the will of Allah. I lifted my eyes
and besought of the most merciful to
hear my prayer.
THE days of man are numbered, and
even chains cannot bind for all time.
The most merciful heard my cry and
opened the prison door. l went forth
to my village.
What did 1 find? Not a vestige of
my possessions 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 Sa-
dick Bargash. l took no measure of
revenge, but put myself under the
wing of the government, hoping that
it would do justice. Bargash promised
restitution. That promise was never
fulfilled.
Then did 1 shoulder my rife and
demand justice. Again the basha 81
fenced me with fair promises. My
friends advised me to lay aside my ri
fle. l consented. Still nothing was
done. 1 could not even recover my
private debts. Despairing of justice,
1 went to the tribe Gharbia, six hours
from Tangier where I had q farm. My
intention was to collect a few cattle
and devote myself TO agriculture. l
desired to live in peace. But again
men spoke evil of me. Bargash sent
men to surround my farm, and when
I came out they fired on me. But AL
lah 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 STAY me. I complained to
Tangier and had no reply. Friends
wrote that the government was bent
on my destruction. I feared to go to
Tangier, but went and saw Torres
(then minister of war and a man of
great influence).
Il told him 1 was just released from
prison at Mogador and that there had
been another attempt on my life. Tor
res replied: The man who has no fire
may borrow an ember from his neigh
Dor Return to your village. To those
that are kind to you be kind; those
who are unkind repay in the same
COIN 1 went back to my village and
after a short interval departed for Ar
Ella, whose kaid, Absolam bin Abdul
Sudack, cousin of Abdul Rahman, was
my greatest friend. He invited me to
live at Arzila and escape the jurisdic-
ton of Bargash.
81 stayed two months at Arzila, eat
ing out of the same dish as the gov
ernor. Then the pretender took the
field and the basha of Fez was sent TO
Algiers. On the way he stopped at
Tangier, where he met my cousin from
ATzila and poisoned his mind against
me. A hundred men were sent to
seize me. By Gods mercy 1 was not at
Arzila, having CINE to the country of
Gharbia to look after my property.
Letters from Fee, Tetuan and Tangier
warned me that the governor of Ar
Ella sought my life. l did not believe
it, for were we not the best of friends ?
Soon afterward l sent me to Arzila TO
byu provisions. Soldiers refused to per-
nit them to enter unless they laid
aside their arms. The men returned
and told what had happened.
I was amazed at the conduct of
my friend. 1 received information that
the governor was plotting with my cou-
sin to seize me, and sent men to inter-
cept the servants of the governor.
searched them and found on them let
tiers SAYING that they were only wait
ing for me to come to Arzila to lay me
by the heels. In despair at my con-
tinued persecution l lifted my eyes to
heaven and exclaimed: 'Wallah Hou-
Ian Ullah KoOwat-Sain lila Belah.
just and merciful that Cod. Was ever
man In such straits? Fate has turned
her face against me, but Allah will
protect me.
AT this time the hill tribes were in
revolt l went and extinguished the
fires of their discomfort, for still l
leaned to the side of the government
My recompense was another attempt
on my life. Rebellion spread: the roads
were closed and Arzila was besieged
With the aid of the Shereets ! induced
the besiegers to depart. Arzila was
saved and peace restored in the noun
tains. This I did, hoping that the for
eign representatives would see 1 was
a good man and not a violent outlaw.
What followed? Soldiers camped
near my village. I thought they had
come to investigate my claims. No.
They attacked my village, took me by
surprise and burned and sacked the
village. That was my reward. I was
forced to flee to the people of my an
cestors. the Benz Aros tribe. A reward
was offered for me dead or alive, but
none was tempted. Soldiers moved
into the country of the Bent Arcs Dill
laying. plundering and numbering.
When I saw how the people were
oppressed 1 went secretly to Tangier
and stole a Christian. Perdicaris This
l did that Europe might know how |
was prosecuted and hunted down. I
did not want open war with the gov
eminent, so l thought a Christian the
best weapon. My idea and hope was
that Europe would investigate, for /
know that Europeans are just and will
see that justice is done"