The New York herald., 1921-07-24
SPAMARDS ROUTED
BY MOORISH FORCES
DisastrVusly Defeated in
Melilla Zone, Losing Their
Commander.
MOORS RENEW BATTLE
Gen. Silvestre Either Slain
or a Suicide and Two
ColOnels Killed.
NATIVE AUXILIARIES QUIT
Spain to Send Warships to
Port and Reenforcements
Of Troops.
NATIVE AUXILIARIES QUIT
Ry the Associated Press.

Ry the Associated Press.
| MADRID, July 23.-Viscount d'Eza,
the Minister of War issued COM
munique this afternoon telling Of a
severe defeat for the Spanish forces
in Morocco at the hands of tribesmen
in the Melilla zone.
| Private Moroccan dispatches re-
ceived here this afternoon said that
the rebel tribesmen, comprising 10000
/ well equipped men. were continuing
to-day the attack they made yester-
day. 1t has been known for some
time that natives attached to the
Spanish forces had been displaying
unrest. but this is not an unusual de-
velopment in the summer time.
Cen Silvestre, the Spanish COM
mander, either was slain or committed
suicide. The newspapers say the
Moors are continuing their attack,
having received reenforcements, and
that the Spaniards are offering stub
born resistance.
King Confcrs with Cabinet.
King Alfonso. who was called to the
capital from San Sebastian because of
| the Moroccan situation. visited the War
Minister Immediately after his arrival
and then presided at the Cabinet meet.
| ing
1t appears that the Moorish tribesmcn.
who were in great force took from the
Spaniards at the onset position which
the Spanish troops had previously cap
tured and which the spanish command
mistakenly considered small garrison
was sufficient to retain. Under the ter
rif1c attack the Spaniards were Obliged
to yield this ground
The communique read:
"Rebellious Moors reattacked our DO
sitions at Annual with great violence
Their numbers were so great and they
were so well armed we were Obliged to
evacuatc the position. and several 9TH
ers we recently captured. We with
drew to Darsdrius. The retreat was
most disastrous. We had many casual
ties and two Spanish Colonels were
killed
Two thousand troops have been ur-
gently despatched from Ceuta TO Melilla.
Relnforccments Will be sent from other
parts of the country to replace troops
sent from Melilla and Ceuta''
4 After the Cabinet meeting the War
Minister told the newspaper correspond
ents that reports from Morocco were
most contradictory and that commune
cations were interrupted. Colonel Mo-
rales and Colonel Manella were among
the killed, he said. as were many other
/ officers whose names We're not yet
/ known.
War Ministerss Reuort.
! vlscount d Exa told what had become
known through official kilograms. which
reported that Gen. Silvestre had been
making efforts to capture Alhucemas.
but was proceeding slowly. preferring
! to use political methods instead of
force of arms wherever possible.
/ After considerable resistance Mount
I Albarran was taken and on June 9
an attack was executed on the noun
tain. when the Spaniards suffered a
I reverse, because In the thickest part
OF the fighting the native auxlliar.es
surrendered.
] Nobody. declared the War Minister,
| suspected that the Moors had such a
| large force In the vicinity.
Gen. Silvestre himself went to Annual
\ on July 20. accompanied by a number
OF members of his staff" Viscount
D'Eza added with the intention of CIV
ing command TO Col. Maneila, whom
he arrived he saw that the Moors in
the neighborhood were extremely strong
and demanded reinforcements by wire
less telephone, but finding it almost
I impossible to hold the position he de-
clded TO evacuate II Immediately. Dur
Ing the fighting which was continual.
the Moors suffered heavily. losing their
I chleftaii. Abdul Krin, and other
leaders.
when the evacuation was ordered
Gen. Silvestre. In order to give con-
fidence to the troops of his command.
remained with the members of his staff
Until everybody had left. The Moors
advanced in strong force. attacking
the small body of officers. which In
Guided Coils. Morales and Manella. Dur
ing the fighting these officers either
were killed by the Moors or decided to
commit suicide.
"rhe retreating Spaniards marched d.
rectly toward Melilla. beating off the
larassing Moors all the way. The po-
sition At Darsdrius was placed I'm a
.recarious situation and the Spanish
troops took up their second lire Of de-
fence before Melllla. which Is holding
strongly with rcinforcements that mean
whiis had come TO their assistance.
"The Government now Is maintaining
direct communication with the Com.
mander In Chief, Gen. BerenRuer, who
reports absolutely no danger with regard
t. Meliila. Troops have been sent from
Spain TO strengthen the garrison. not
because their services are needed. but e
strengthen the impression among this
Moors that Spain Is prepared for al
cventualities."
II was announced tonight that Gen
Navarro has been appointed 60 succeed
Gen. Silvestrc as chief Of command o.
the Spanish forces at Melilla.
LoHpox. July 23.--It has been decided
BY the Spanish Cabinet to send severa
warships TO Morocco. according TO |
Routtr despatch from Madrid and tha
troops be ordered sent from Madrid u
Melilia. remaining In the capital 10 re
assure the population by their presence
King Alfonso. who came to Madrid from
his summer home at San Sebastian OF
account OF the seriousness OF the Mo
roccan situation. has postponed his re
turn Indefinitely.
roMMIrNIgTS I'M POWER