The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-11-29

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ner of Africa, where the sun
heats down. hot and fierce, lies
the little country of Morocco.
blinking insolently across the
Gratis of Gibraltar at Spain and re-
garding with equal contempt the rest OF
tho civilized world For civilization
has touched Morocco but lightly and
Of heart its white-robed inhabitants
are as savage as were their ancestors
who fighting beneath the Crescent.
tried to conquer Europe for Moham-
med twelve hundred years ago.
Those warriors of the prophet failed.
but their descendants still show the
same savage spirit now and then, and
when they do it is a good time for
those of other faiths to barricade the
doors and windows Of their houses If
they cannot fee Only few weeks ago
there was a bloody massacre in Fee,
the capital of Morocco, in which hum
dreds of Jews, their wives and their
daughters were slain.
But the power of Morocco is gone,
and Spain today is in no danger from
the fierce little country that clings
to the northern edge of the Sahara.
The Moors may look across to Gibral-
tar and reflect that it and all the coun-
try to the north of it once was theirs,
but there is little danger that the flag
Of the prophet ever will be unfurled
again on Spanish soil.
Counted 1t Privilege to Die.
1t was early in the eighth century
that the Moors streamed across the
straits and into Spain. All Northern
Africa was afiame with the new re-
lgon of the prophet. From Arabia
the followers Of Mohammed had come
with fire and sword, converting by
force of arms and counting it priv
lege to die fighting for the advance of
kamism. Northern Africa, whose
only religion was a decadent Chris
danity, had not been long in taking the
new faith up, though there was some
Stubborn fighting against the Arab
INVADERS. The Berbers, who were the
Principal inhabitants of Morocco, had
first resisted, then taken up
Aohammedanism with a rush. And
uen, led by the Arab priests and gen.
erals and aided by two or three
aeaeherous grandees of Spain, they
lad sailed across the narrow strip Of
water which separated them from
Europe and started out conquering
Spaln. The Gothic kingdom which
laa 1ourished there was destroyed.
many OF the sturdiest of the Christian
inhabitants Of the land fed to the
Mountains and upland country rather
uan submit to Moor jurisdiction.
Many who remained protested their
inversion to Mohammedanism while
unerS were allowed to remain
HTsuans' although under many
ssaaperlng restrictions. Gradually
Aue Christian kingdoms were built
W IN the north of Spain, and these
lade war against the Moors, who
we're regarded as the incarnation of
~ mat was evil. AS a matter of fact.
Iey seem to have been Industrious.
sAlllul and capable of achievements
architecture and general culture
Slicn were considerably in advance
v anything the Spaniards themselves
uau accomplished.
LETT Some Wonderful BUILDINGS.
Tue relics of their civilization which
ss'S' today, principally in the form
O'u buildings, palaces and archways.
among the most beautiful things
y. spain The Alhambra, where the
e svOllsh kings of Granada lived, is a
., Sauerlul labyrinth of walls and bal
'pes and terraced gardens.
'efnaps time has cast something of
h, sdlnour over those ancient Moors.
~" certainly they seem to have been
m, NE. :. OF inner sort than the swarthy
n, Nioats who make up the popula-
soa VI present day Morocco. Al
b su their skins were dark from
n residence in a tropical climate.
tas,, Moors were not negroes. Their
htan: eS were fine and regular. their
n are above the ordinary, and
b. Urea en read OF Moorish knights fight
ss., tournaments against fair-haired
Mo iS and being treated as honor
nd snemles. Othello was a Moor.
Ga,an The Merchant of Venice.
eniuap eare has the prince Of Morocco
pOr,a as sutton for the hand of
Bnt ana losing very gamely.
araas 'or all that, Moors were re-
I'D s,., as natural enemies In Spain.
N''noush they hung on for almost