HIGHLY CRITICAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1108, 22 April 1911, Page 5

HIGHLY CRITICAL.

. 4 SITUATION IN MOROCCO. FRENCH MILITARY ACTIVITY. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Tangiar, April 20. The Sultan, at the instance of General Monier, French Commander in the Shawia country, is organising a force, comprising several French companies, to march on Fez, with the object of dispersing the beleaguering tribesmen. STATEMENT BY THE SPANISH PREMIER. Madrid, April 20. Senor Canalejas, the Spanish Premier, in announcing the dispatch of a French column to Fez, said the situation was highly critical. He added that Spain would not participate, in such action; her measures would be restricted to the Spanish zone. THE SULTAN'S ARMY. IN A PITIABLE CONDITION. . (Rec. April 22, 0.5 a.m.) Tangier, April 21. Tho Sultan's army in the Sherarda District is unable to Teach Fez. It is in a pitiable condition owing to floods and the difficulty of securing food and fodder. Many of the horses are dying. Letters from Fez, dated April 12, report that constant fighting is sioiiig on, and that anxiety is felt for tho fate of tho European colony. THE SULTAN'S DIFFICULTIES.' • The "Daily Telegraph's" Tangier correspondent, telegraphing on March 9, says:—The Sultan's fresh mehalla of 2GOO men, under the son of the Visier and a French commander, has left iez to subdue tho revolted tribes. Tho force is now encamped near Fez awaiting reinforcements from the other niehallas lately dispersed. All tho Governors, with contingents of troops, who had gone to Fez to escort the Sultan on his expedition to tho South have deserted him.. The Palace is closed, and no business is being transacted in the capital. Carriers and couriers have been pillaged and anarchy prevails everywhere in tho interior. Daily the' Sultan is losing prestige. The natives arc bitterly complaining as they see all the posts created by the new Public Works Department going to Frenchmen and Algerians, and declare that Morocco is rapidly becoming French. Tho recent shooting in Fez of a few soldiers by tho French military mission has done much to account for the present state of affairs.