Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-07-24
KING ALFONSO GIVES WAY TO
GENERAL WEYLER; MooRs ARE
TROUBLESOME AND RELATIVES
OF TROOPS ADD TO DIFFICULTY
RIOT AT DEPOT
S TOP PROGRESS
TRIBESMEN AT MOROCCO SHOW
DISPOSITION TO BATTLE LONG
AND HARD AND PRoTRAcTED
WARFARE is EXPECTED.

Madrid, July 22-Klng Alfonso has
cancelled all his engagements on &C
count of the serious situation that has
developed in Morocco. 1t is possible
that General Weyler, formerly Spanish
captain and general of Cuba, will be
placed in supreme command of the
Spanish force in Morocco. During the
night, While the Spanish troops were
preparing to leave for Malaga, the
families of the soldiers surrounded
the railroad station and charged the
police, with the object of preventing
the departure of their relatives. A
desperate melee followed in which the
police used swords and revolvers. A
dozen persons were wounded and
many others arrested.
In numerous enga gements that have
taken place in the last few days the
Spaniards sometimes held their own
with difficulty and had to fight desper-
ately to protect their artillery from
the furious attacks of the kabyles.
There has been a great deal of hand
to hand fighting and the Spaniards
have lost several officers and many
men killed, besides numbers wounded.
The tribesmen have lost severely, but
their fanatical courage is unquenched
and at the moment the situation Is SO
serious that the cabinet at a meeting
held yesterday under the presidency of
King Alfonso, decided to increase the
force under Gen. Marina, who is con-
Quoting operations, and keep on send
| ing troops no matter how many may be
necessary.
1t IS estimated that the Kabyles
actually engaged in conflict number
about 5000 on foot and $4,000 horse
| men, but should all the hill tribes join
| the movement as it is feared they
will, Spain will have to face 10000 we'll
armed men of desperate courage, a
situation which would necessitate the
putting into the field of 10000 troops
at cost which might be ruinous in
the present state of the country's
! finances
Populace Against War.
This prospect and the general pop,
ular Discrimination for military adj
venture, especially where national
honor is not concerned and against
wild tribesmen whom the sultans OF
Morocco themselves have never been
able to subdue, is creating intense
dissatisfaction with the governments
handling of the Melilla affair and has
excited agitation in Madrid, BARGE
| Iona. and elsewhere against war.
There have been many demonstra
lions in the streets denouncing the
government. Last night a crowd
composed mainly of women
rushed to the Southern rail
way station here trying to prevent the
departure of troop trains. There were
many streets disturbances. Socialist
and Republican parties are taking
every advantage of the popular feel
ing, which is in most excitable
state
Displaying Desperate Courage.
i Melilla, July 21.-General Marina
commander of the Spanish forces il
Morosso, returned here today from
an inspection of the outposts. The
i general declares The Moors are dis
playing desperate courage in usins
modern weapons. He predicts Ions
and hard campaign.
4 The natives in Sioux region Of Mo
rocco are preaching holy war and arr
preparing to join the Moors in front 0
Melilla.
Riot Among Troops.
i Barcelona, July pa riot broke GU
\ here today among the troops VIII,
1 where about to embark for Melilla
The entire battalion revolted an,
threatened the colonel and othe
officers with their bayonets. Othe
mutineerS were disarmed.
y