The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-02-13
Moosish Bandit Has
Again Offered to Surrender

mooriSh panoiC WHO mas just again OIL
fered to surrender to the Spanish mil
itary forces which are pushing an ac-
tive campaign against him in Moroc-
co, is the man who once drew the
United States into action in that vex-
ed 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. Raj
sLli had captured Ion Perdicaris, n
raturalized American citizen and kept
him prisoner. President Roosevelt
sent fleet of eight American war ves-
sells stripped for action into Tangier
Harbor while John Hay sent his ia
nous message to the feeble Sutton in
nominal command there.
Raisuli, who now says he is "too fat
to fight" had long been leader of
the wild tribesmen who have frequent
ly swamped the trained battalions of
Il civilized power.
Perdicaris, wealthy man, was
president of the European commission
administering affairs in Tangier City
in 1904. He has told the story of his
capture and it was recounted some
time ago in National Geographic
Society Bulletin. He was snatched
out of his summer home by Raisuli's
raiders, and borne off to mountain
stronghold.
From there, the chieftain proceed
ed to open up negotiation with the
Sultan of Morocco, Perdicaris' family,
and eventually in indirect fashion with
the American government, concerning
the price to be paid for his captive.
The United States cut short the chat
fering in the fashion described. The
Sultan, panic-stricken, sent $4,000
in silver to Saisuli, appointed him
governor of a district, turned loose
some of his friends from Tangier
jails, and incarcerated some Of Raj
suli's enemies in their place. Perdi-
caris later returned to the United
States to express his thanks.
Prosperity, however, came close to
running his erstwhile captor, Raisuli.
He got into quarrel with the Sultan
about his governorship, was thrown
out, and promptly retaliated by bear
ing off for ransom Kair 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, sue
ceeded in setting all the hair-triggers
ir 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 a
council chamber instead of of bat
tlefeld. Raisuli was chased back to
his mountain fastness, but news dis
patches every few years record an
other of his eruptions.
SIN many respects the man interest
ed and attracted me in spite of all
my natural motives for dislike" Perdi-
caris says of Raisuli in the Geographic
Society's. report. "Raisuli was gra-
cious and dignifed, not to us only, but
to his own wild adherents, who evil
Gently idolized their chieftain, whose
position among them seemed that of a
head of a highland clan in olden times.
He was quick to see the humorous
aspect of situation, while his repar-
tee was as immediate and to the point
as though he had keen born in the
county Galway.
~ found myself unconsciously ac-
cepting his contention that he was
not mere brigand or cattle-lifter,
but a patriot strugglingto lift his
Pcrber followers from the tyranny Of
corrupt officials. His charm of voice,
the natural poise and dignity of his
Kramer, his self-ontrol under provoca-
ton, all betrayed superior charac-
ter"
Perdicaris remarks that "Raisuli
could not bear to hear child cry,
but there fiercer background for the
tibesman's motivation. Cromwell Vas
ley, step-son to Perdicaris, was crack
ed over the head in the raid on the
Americans summer home, and both
men were forced to ride many miles in
tight bonds.
"It was in connection with the franz
ing of the ultimatum 'Perdicaris alive
or Daisuli dead that trusted corre-
spondent Of The Associated Press in
Washington is concerned" The Geo
graphic Society Bulletin remarks, "Be-
ing entrusted with preparing a mes
sage for President Roosevelt to sign,
Mr.. Hay did SO, and submitted it to
his friend, the newspaperman, for his
opinion. We'll, it may be diplomatic,
hut the Sutton will never get you in
the midst of all those words was in
h. ,ot