MOROCCAN WARFARE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 295, 7 September 1908, Page 7

MOROCCAN WARFARE

ALGERIAN FRONTIER. RECENT ATTACK ON THE FRENCH. TRIBESMEN'S LOSSES. (BY TELEGRAPH—ritESS ASSOCIATION—COPTEIGHT.) (Rec. September 6, 4.30 p.m.) Morocco, September 5. There is great discord among the tribesmen who on Tuesday attacked tho French at Bu Denib, on the frontier of Morocco and Algeria, and who were repulsed with great loss. Their losses during the fighting on Tuesday were 300 killed and 500 wounded. , ' SOME HOT FIGHTING. Bu Denib is on the frontier of Morocco and Algeria, and the recent fighting there is chiefly important as it concerns the position, of the French troops. Tho most serious fighting was in Slay, when, in two days' engagements before Bu Denib, tho Trench under General Vigy suffered heavily, losing 13 killed, including three officers, and G5 wounded, including seven officers. Tho Moors, thanks to the artillery fire and a charge by Chasseurs d'Afrique and spams, wero repulsed with sorious loss.- They occupied, however, an intrenched position at Bu Uzien, and hero they fought till nightfall with savage energy. Ultimately they wero compelled to evacuate the position by means of shell fire. On May 15 Bu Denib was captured, attcrsome fnrther hot fighting. The chief difficulty was in driving tho Moors out of a palm grove, which provided a strong defensive position. Fighting lasted till 3 p.m., and, in the words of the French General Vigy, "the enemy offered a most vigorous resistance, and displayed a profound contempt for death. They have had considerable losses." They abandoned their stores, ammunition, and war material. After occupying Bu Denib, tho French withdrew after leaving a detachment provisionally in possession of the place. This is no doubt the detachment Vrhich was attacked when the fighting was renewed by the tribesmen a few days ago. According to the cablegrams of Friday, they were spurred on to attack the French by receiving from Mulai Hafid, Germany's protege, presents of war horses and tents. Their resulting losses (300 killed, 500 wounded) are reported to be chiefly due to the French field machine guns, tho backbone of which seems to be the 75 m.m. gun.

ABDUL AZIZ'S KAID. REPORTED DEFEAT. London, September 4. A rumour is current that Kaid El M'Tugui, an adherent of Abdul Aziz, has been defeated by El Glasi, tho commander of Mulai Hafid's forces, and his brother. The report adds that the latter, who is Governor.'of Marrakesh,' was killed. GREAT SLAUGHTER. ' (Rec. September 6, 4.40 p.m.) Morocco, September 5. M'Tugui's defeat is confirmed. There was great slaughter. Kaid El M'Tugui, who has been upholding the colours of Abdul Aziz in south-west Morocco, was reported to have gained last Juno an important success, near llarrakesh, over the forces of Mulai Hafid. At that time Mulai Hafid himself was at Fez. The first of the above cablegrams referring to liaid El M'Tugui indicated that ho had won, but the socond message indicated tho reverse; and the later information has been acceptcd as correct.