Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-13
Moorish Bandit
Now in Limelight
Old Enemy of i. S.

Washington, Feb. l1-RaISull, the
Moorish bandit who has just again
offered to surrender to the Spanish
military forces which are pushing
an active campaign against him in
Morocco, is the man who once drew
the United States into action in that
vexed corner of the world.
He figured in that celebrated Incl
dent when Secretary of State John
Hay demanded "Perdicaris alive or
Raisuli dead"
That was II years ago, in 1904.
Raisuli had captured Ion Perdicaris,
a naturalized' American citizen and
kept him prisoner. President Roos-
cvelt sent fleet of eight American
war vessels stripped for action into
Tangier Harbor while John Hay sent
his famous message to the feeble Sui
tan in nominal command there.
Raisuli. who now says he is too fat
to fight had long been a leader OF
tie wild tribesmen who have fire.
quently swamped the trained battal-
lens of a civilized power
Perdicaris, wealthy man.. was
president of the European Commits
sion administering affairs in Tangier
City in 1904. He has told the story
of his capture and it was recounted
some time ago in a National Geo.
graphic Society Bulletin. He was
snatched out of his summer home by
Raisulis raiders, and borne off to a
mountain stronghold.
From there. the chieftain proceed
cd to open up negotiation with the
Sultan of Morocco, Perdicaris' family,
and eventually in indirect fashion
with the American government. con-
corning the price to be paid for his
captive. The United States cut short
the chaffering in the fashion des-
cribed. The Sultan. panic-stricken
sent $4,000 in silver to Raisuli, ap-
pointed him governor of a district.
turned loose some of his friends from
Tangier jails, and incarcerated some
of Raisuli's enemies in their place.
Perdicaris later returned to the Unit
ed States to express his thanks.
Prosperity, however, came close to
running his erstwhile captor, Raisuli.
He got into a quarrel with the Sultan
about his governorship, was thrown
out, and promptly retaliated by bear
ing off for ransom kaid Sir Henry
Mclean, British commander OF the
Moroccan army. He arrayed his
tribesmen for battle. and descended
upon the coast, doing much damage
to European interests. and in 1907,
succeeded in setting all the hair-trig-
gers in European diplomacy.
The French navy bombarded one OF
his captive towns, Casablanca, the
now practically extinct KAISER Will
helm came to bat shifting undue
French expansion in prospect, but
the matter was Strengthened out In
council chamber instead of on a bat
tlefield. Raisuli was chased back to
his mountain fastness, but news dis
patches every few years record
another of his eruptions.
I'm many respects the man inter-
ested and attracted me in spite OF all
nv natural motives for dislike
Perdicaris says of Raisuli in the &C.
ographic Society's report. "Ralsuli
was gracious anu UlSuilieu, nv " 70
only, but to his own wild adherents,
who evidently idolized their chieftaln,
whose position among them seemed
that of head of highland clan in
olden times. He was quick to see the
humorous aspect of situation, !
while his repartee was as immediate
and to the point as though he had
been born in the County Galway.
Il found myself unconsciously ac-
cepting his contention that he was
not a mere brigand or cattle litter, |
but patriot struggling to lift his |
Berber followers from the tyranny of |
corrupt officials. His charm of voice, |
the natural poise and dignity of his |
manner, his self-control under prov
ocation, all betrayed a superior |
character"
Perdicaris remarks that "Raisuli |
could not bear to hear child cry.