Evening star., 1924-10-23

4
Atlantic coast and opening communi-
cation between Tangiers and the
French zone via Iarache.
French May BE Attacked.
The French would then have pre-
ferred to devote themselves wholly
to patient and methodical reduction
of the unsubmissive white savages of
the Atlas, but Spain's troubles and
the growing ambitions of Abdel krim
have obliged them to turn their at
tention once more toward the north.
For while Abdel krim posed as
Frances friend. He repeatedly sought
French recognition and even French
support in the struggle against Spain,
but as these We're steadily refused. he
became irritable, suspicious and even
menacing. His agents have been In
triguing with the unsubmissive Atlas
and Sahara tribes. His aeitators
have begun holy war" propaganda
against the French. His harsh ad-
ministrative bands have been levy
ing taxes in cash and enforcing con-
scription on the tribes of the south
ern Riff in the unoccupied portion of
the French zone, especially in the
turtle Ouergha Valley, whose grain
and olives help feed his warriors.
Some of these tribes resented and
resisted the levies. Last January the
Marnissa attempted a revolt against
A Abdel Krim. but were savagely re-
pressed. In April a strong tribe
called Sons of Zeroual, made sue
cessful incursion into Riff territory
and for a moment even shook Abdel
krim's power. But they were driven
off. Meanwhile, Marshal Lyautey, the
resident general of French Morocco,
decided to effect an important ad-
vance in the north. Native runners
We're sent to inform both Abdel krim
and the tribes of the southern Riff
Of the French intentions.
Counter Move Is Swift.
Abdel Krim waited month before
replying, assuring the French of his
good will, but warning them not to
cross the Ouergha River. But he was
too late. The French had already
moved. The operations were under
the direction of Gen. de Chambrun.
commander of the north Moroccan
army, who is a descendant of La
fayette and is well known in Wash
ington political circles.
On May 26 force of less than TO-
600 French troops, mostly A1gerians
and Senegalese. friendly to the Mo-
roccans, crossed the Ouergha on a
two-mile front without resistance.
The sheks of the valley tribes pre-
sented themselves before the French
staff and in a solemn ceremonial gave
token of submission by cutting the
throat of an OK.
The French mobile columns quick
ly extended their front on both fianks.
BY July Is, a strip of territory 10
miles deep and 125 miles wide had
been fully occupied and organized,
thereby depriving Abdel Krim of
some $4,000 subjects and 10000 fight
ing men, of tax values amounting to
100000 francs, and of thousands of
acres of fertile fields, vineyards and
olive groves. He lost, indeed, what
was probably the richest part OF his
alleged territory. and her irritation
against the French seems 20 have
been considerable, for the reaction
was immediate.
Slip Up on French.
Constant skirmishes occurred be-
tween Abdel Krim's scouts and ma
tives dwelling under the shelter of
the French outposts, whom the
French were arming and supporting
Riffian bands attacked half completed
On June 5, 1000 Riffian raiders, ad-
vancing on the French left, were
driven off only after a hard battle by
the friendly tribesmen, assisted by
French cannon and airplanes. On
July %. force Of 5000 Riffians with
many pack animals surprised a post
of fifteen French Senegalese by night
and slipped through the French lines
into Ouergha Valley, rounding up
flocks and herds, looting granaries.
killing or capturing the Inhabitants.
smashing mudhouses, firing piles of
straw under the olive trees, and tram
pling ripe pumpkins. The landscane
under the cold African starlight
glowed red with burning thatches'
A French"mobile column. consisting
of four battalions of infantry.
squadron of cavalry and a few arm
ored cars, marched 35 miles in "a
hours, caught the Rifflans scattered
and unaware in the act of loading
booty on pack animals, and inflicted
a severe lesson, cutting off and cap
turing some while the rest were pur-
sued far into the hills by French
air bombers.
Sdme Tribes Friendly.
At the present moment, the tribes
just along the lines are partially
armed and thanks to Gen. de Cham
burns skillful native diplomacy, are
fighting for the French against Abdel
Krim. Skirmishes occur constantly
Riffian snipers infest the rocks and
now and then there is a night at
tack upon an outpost.
Z. If Charhouan in the CnanISn zone.