THE MOROCCAN WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 203, 25 August 1908, Page 5

THE MOROCCAN WAR.

FLIGHT OF THE SULTAN. MDLAI HATED PROCLAIMED. WILD SCENES OF TREACHERY. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) MOROCCO, August 24. On the defeat of his troops by Mulai Hafid's forces, the Sultan, Abdul Aziz, barely escaped with his life, after the wildest scene of treachery, panic, and pillage in his camp by his own followers. He has arrived at Saitat, and proceeds to Casablanca, thence to Syria, to await a change in circumstances enabling him to return to Morocco. It is understood that Mulal Hand (who is the Sultan's elder brother) will allow him a pension and place of residence. Mulai Hand was yesterday proclaimed Sultan at Tangier, ami<i great enthusiasm, and was also proclaimed at several of the coast towns. REFORM 4in> REACTION, LONDON, August 24. The Tangier correspondent of "The Times" says there has been too much tendency to contrast the rival Sultans as representing reform and reaction respectively, adding that the actual personality of the Sultan was unimportant. RECOGNITION OF HAFID. POLICING MOROCCO. " FAITHFUL FOUND AMONG THE FAITHUESS." (Received 5.20 a-m.^ LONDON, August 24. It is now considered tolerably, certain ■that France will not recognise Muiai Hafid until he accepts the terms of the Algeciras convention. Meanwhile, France and Spain will continue their duties under that Convention. Practically the only men who did not desert the Sultan Abdul Aziz were his medical adviser, Dr. Verdun, of the French military service, and Serjeant Balding. These two assisted Abdul to a refuge with the French outposts at Setlat. "Mnlal Hafld represents the fanatical and irreconcilable party, and if he should be recognised by Europe on condition of accepting the Algeciras Convention, the same party which to-day acclaims him would revolt against him, and another pretender wonld arise. He would be the leader of the fanatics who wished to have no dealings with Christians. The situation Is, therefore, very clear." So said the Saltan, Abdul Aziz, ia a recent Interview. He then stated that the gravity of the situation did not distress him, as he had confidence In Europe, with whose demands 1n the Interests cf civilisation lie had gladly complied, Iα face of the opposition of his people. "Europe," he said, "has caused my ruin; Europe will sustain and save mc. Europe has placed confidence In mc, and I shall now place my confidence in her. i could have proclaimed the Holy War at Fez after the events at Gasa Blanca, or could have proclaimed by brother at Marrakeeh. Then 7 should have had my people with mc, and my brother ai my side. But I have no regrets. I w» a the first to become convinced of the necessity of a change in the old order of things in Morocco, and I preferred to keep to my engagements with Europe Tather than to fight against her, because then Morocco would have been ruined •and captured for ever. My providers. In league with faithless Ministers, have exploited mc pitilessly. But now, happily, It is all over. Now 1 am concerned only with settling the situation of Morocco. In future I shall be, like my father, always on horseback. I shall stay only two months In Marrakeeh, where I shall pacify the country. Afterwards I shall go to Fez and bring to obedience my rebel brother, who, abusing the confidence which I reposed in him, wished to take away my crown. One of my ancestors said that Morocco was like a box full of rats, which, unless they were perpetually beaten, would end by making holes and getting out to trouble the peace of the house. I have stayed too long in Fez; now I shall be evrewwhere. I sbell go all over Morocco every -year."