New-York tribune., 1908-08-24
MULAl HAE1G SULTAN
HIS BROTHER FUGITIVE.
Hints of Nc7c Conference of Pozcers
on Morocco.

rrangier Aue I3-The defeat OF the Sultan,
Abd-el-Aziz. by the forces of his brother, Aiulai
.Iafg has been confirmed The Sultan OF rec
ord was surprised on the night Of August 13. ana
most of his troops deserted to the side OF the
rsurning Sultan after firing a few shots Re
ports indicate that the defeat OF Abd-ei-Azlz
was due largely to the betrayal OF his own
trtbesmen MuIai Hafg has been proclaimed
sultan of Morocco at Tangier. and announce
7nent of the proclamation has been telegraphed
to all parts of the country. All the officials who
previously have been under the rule OF Aod-el-
Azfz in this city say that they have accepted
Mula, Hafg as their leauer. thereby making him
supreme in all the large cities of Morocco
Details of the battle show that Abd-el-Aziz
had an army numerically superior to his enemy.
but that his artillery either failed to work or
was tampered with. Some Of the guns ex-
pIoded. throwing the tribesmen into panic.
Almost all his men seized the opportunity to fee
during the engagement, and general pillage
broke out many of the tribes seeking to carry
off as much booty as possible
Abd-el-Aziz and his escort retreated IN an or
5erIv manner to Settat. his army, scattered IN
all directions. being pursued by the victorious
troops of Mulaf Hafig.- Abd-el-Aziz was ac-
con,panied in his fight by the Grand Nlzler.
Abd-eI-Krim Ben SIiman. and the Minister OF
Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Sidi-el-Mokhri. the
French
A Tangfer newspaper says that the British OIL
GERS and several French officers are missing
It is said tat the former Sultan will go to
CasabIanca and thence to Damascus.
paris AuE 23-News OF the proclamation OF
Mulai Hafig as Sultan is taken here to mark
the complete triumph of the usurpinS sultan
and the downfall of Abd-el-Aziz. the Sultan OF
record. who, according to the latest reports. has
acr-Ty Ia "a nd
his intention of retiring to Damascus where he
will await turn in conditlonS be1oFe RAISING
his standard again
While not minimizing the gravity of the situ-
alton created by the battle, the Paris newspa-
pers are inclined to be cautious In predictions
owing TO the former frequent changes IN the
for unes of the rival Sultans. The Temps
says:
The powers have always held the vanquished
Sultan of Yesterday to be the legitimate ruler,
and they cannot abandon the position because
of one defeat. But If he prove unable to re-
cover from the blow and definitely abandons
the struggle Europe whole. and not one or
two powers alone, can validly indorse his rival
This recognition can he neither quickly nor
easily effected. Muai Hafig must, first OF all.
accept the act of Algeciras and all the treaties
, outstanding between Morocco and the individ-
uaI powers 1t is a moot point whether MuIai
Hafg, the Sultan OF the holy war. accept
these without ceasing TO be tire anti-European
leader TO whom the natives have given their
confidence.
Other newspa pers here even suggest the pos
sbty OF conference OF the powers over
the situation that has been created
General d'Amade. commander of the French
forces in Morocco telegraphs TO the govern
ment hero that Abd-el-Aziz showed the great
est personal courage during the battle. but that
his example was not followed by his tribesmen,
who were badly organized and poorly armed.
General d'Amads is taking measures in view
of a possible outbreak in the Chaouia region.
Madrid Aug. 23.-The Spanish press IS of
the opinion that the downfall Of Abd-el-Aziz is
complete. The newspapers point out that re-
cent events must necessarily affect the attitude
of Spain. France and other signatories to the
AIgeciras act regarding Morocco. Several of
the newspapers are urging new AIgecras con-
ference.