New-York tribune., 1908-01-13
HAFIG ALARMS FRANCE.
TO ASK POiWERS ADVICE.
|, Prom pt 4ctiom aa Morocco Expected
-TbreeyO Obstacles.

Paris Ian 1o-rhe French government is
greatly embarrassed by the unexpected turn of
events in Morocco. The proclainling OF Muiai
Hang Sultan at Fec was co!ncident with the ar
|. rival in Paris of Molamned Sidi ell Mokhri'
who came here as Finance Minister from Add
eI-Aziz to negotiate a loan of S3oOOOOoO. ana
the march on Rabat of General d Armade, COM
manSer of the French forces in Morocco. with
four thousand
In twfnklsng the entire situation has become
changed and Morocco is threatened with civil
war. 1t is all the more serious for france, as
the dispatches which have been received re-
lating to the situation leave no doubt that the
fanatica1 appeal OF the supporters of Mulai
Hafg is directed chiefly against France. and a
holy war might arodse Frances Mahometan
subjects across the Algerian frontier.
Premier Clemenceau, General Picquart. the
Minister of War; NJ. Caillaux- Minister of FL
nance. and NJ Regnault, Minister to Morocco.
have been in conference all day. Although 1t is
only announced that arrangements were being
made to install the police at the ports of Tan
gier and Rabat it is the general belief that the
government cannot hesitate to take prompt and
energetic action. 1t is believed that this alone
may save the day for Abd-el-Aziz whose down
far would mean the end of the Algeciras act.
the weakness of'which is that it did not foresee
the possibility of such change Of rulers.
The safeguarding OF the lives OF the Euro
peans il Morocco alone seems to the French
officials sufficient reason TO support Abd-el-
Aziz Nevertheless. the government faces three
obstacles: First. the possible opposition of par
lament tc step which may deeply involve
France in Morocco; second. Spain's timidity
about military, adventure in Morocco, and, third,
the spectre of international complications with
Germany.
In order to avoid such complications it is
ue6 he ut inf do
80 communicate with the powers signatory to
the Algeciras act regarding steps which should
be taken to meet the situation.
Dispatches received tonight by the govern
ment from Rabat announce that the army of
General Bagdan chief of the Sultan's army,
which camped outside the CITY, has been
called within the walls This is causing great
anxiety to the Europeans, who fear the soldiers
Of Abd-el-Aziz much they do Mulai Hafg's.
Tangier, Jan. 12-There is CONSERVATION
among Moroccan officials at the news from Fez
telling of the proclamation of Mulai Hafig as
Sultan and the dangerous conditions now pre-
valing in that city. CourieTs who have arrived
here announce also that the people of Mequinez
have proclaimed Mulai Hafg Sultan. According
to latest information from Fee, the U1emas, or
Wise Men, We're forced to decree the overthrow
of Abd-el-Aziz the Sultan of record and pro-
claim Muldl Hang sultan IN MS place, Dy tne
attitude of the people. who are greatly excited
reports that Abd-el-Aziz had sold the
country to France.
The announcement by the public orders
received with frantic joy. Mulai Hafg was
proclaimed Sultan under certain conditions.
which he must accept together with the title
Among these conditions are included the rejec-
of the Algeciras act. expulsion of the French
troops from Morocco prohibition of access to
the interior of Europeans. who. with the Jews.
it is set forth should be allowed to occupy only
quarters in the ports reserved for them; prohibi-
ton OF Moorish subjects placing themselves
under the protection OF foreign consulates pro-
lection of Morocco's rights in the frontier ques-
ton with Algeria and suppression of taxation.