Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-07-09
THE STRUGGLE WITH RIFFlANs


Those living at a. safe distance
from the Rifians may not and It at
all difficult to admire their prowess,
their love Of liberty-for themselves
and to further consider that from
the Riffian viewpoint, If not from
that of others, both Spain and
France have been trying to take the
country from the Mohammedan In
habitants.
Those, who have watched the
course of events preceding this
struggle in North Africa, will hardly
perceive any very lofty conceptions
on the part Of either the Spanish or
the French. Both are after possess
sion of the land and the increment
thereof-and the Riffians were there
first.
When the plucky Berbers were
licking double their number in Span
iards levity was reported among the
French people. Then, when the Riff
fans having licked Spain to stand
still turned on the French, the Span
lard would require a more forgiving
nature than he has been credited
with did he not find some personal
satisfaction in the way affairs were
going.
1t is but fair to presume that were
France to put forth her strength she
could sweep Moroccans and Span
iards alike out of the territory. but
she is not in position to do that. She
has among her home people those
who sympathize, theoretically, with
the Riffians' love of liberty, others
who wish by fair or by foul means
to put a crimp in the government,
those who would play politics with
the distress of France, and she is
short of funds.
They may not consider, what some
of the leaders of France evidently do
consider, that in the future her arm
les may need to be levied In large
part from these same Moroccans,
who dearly love g fight. 1t ought,
too, by this time to be apparent to
both French and Spanish alike that
their colonization schemes in North
Africa will go a glimmering with the
defeat of the French. Assuming that
such is their conviction some CO.
operation would be merely the func-
tioning of enlightened selfishness.
| The situation has reached a point
where indulgence of satisfaction in
seeing a rival get drubbing should
fbe past. Both are in for drubbing
| unless they may SO agree that 1t will
no longer be possible for the Riffians
when hard beset by the French to
find rest and recuperation in Span
ish territory where the French may
not follow them.
Since the middle of last month the
authorities of France and Spain have
been endeavoring to effect some such
an arrangement, at times with little
prospect of success. Latest advices
however, LEAD TO the conclusion tndt
both have recognized the necessity
Of doing this and have come to an
| agreement. On top of this new
| commander is sent to lead the
French forces in attack upon the
Riffians, while the former command
err ostensibly is to devote his atten-
ton to the civil administration OF
| Moroccan affairs. Under such ar
arrangement, II France can find the
money and support at home neces-
sary to the undertaking, and If Spain
will refuse the Riffians refuge, we
may not expect Riffian love of indie
pendence> nor Mohammedan zeal tt
prevail. Indeed, it might prove a
| serious matter to the world If they
did prevail. Mohammedans the
world over are looking on; already
there is much fishing in troubled wa
tiers and there would be more.
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