GERMAN INTRIGUES IN MOROCCO

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2752, 22 April 1916, Page 3

GERMAN INTRIGUES IN MOROCCO

FAILURE OF THE "HOLY WAR "

(Erapiro Press Union.)

London, February 22. Mr. 11. Warner Allen, special correspondent of tho British Press with the French Armies, writes with reference to the position of affairs in Morocco that long before August, 1914, tho Germans had made their preparations for the declaration of a Holy War in Morocco and the overthrowing of the French Protectorate; and the results obtained by German bribory and intrigues up to the end of January, 1910, he describes in tho following brief narrative, which is based on official documents and other trustworthy information kindly placed at his disposal: The ideal at which the Germans wero aiming was expressed by one of them ill the following terms: "If there is war, we must arrange that not a single Frenchman leaves the Shawia alive." For the accomplishment of this simple formula, with the general massacre of civilians, women, and children that It implied, the German plans had been carefully worked out. Every pretender to the throne of the Sherifian Empire, every malcontent chief, and every re< ligious fanatic were to be provided with money aiid arms long before smuggled in for the purpose. German psychology, however, overlooked the fact that French rule, by its justice and humanity, had gained the respect of tho tribos, anil whilst enemy efforts succeeded in producing a series of'sporadic revolts, inevitable in a bai< liarous country under European nila during a general European war, none really threatened the position of Franco in Morocco. The French, indeed, have actually extended their regime in Morocco, the agitation due to German intrigues having compelled them to bring within • their territories tribes hitherto unsubdued. Thus in May the Brancs country, north of Taza, was occupiqjl; between April and August tha French troops advanced into the Guigo .without firing a shot, setting up a barrier between the rebel tribes and tho auburbs of Fez. These aro only two instances, and many others might be given. i Of all the many pretenders and malcontents who have from time immemorial infested tho , Sherifian Empire, tho Germans had chosen out as their special protege Abdul Malek, grandson of the Emir Abdul Kader, who fought so gallantly against the French in Algeria. He was to be tho leader of the Hnlv War. On March 10, 1910, Abdul Malelcleft Tangier for-tha mountains, but there he promotly got into trouble with some of the local tribes, who held him fast until July, Then, not without naying heavy ransom, he was released, and reached tho Riata country in the Fez district. There he announced himself as tha agent of Turkey, and promised to every would-be rebel arms and. ammunition and the support of Germany and Turkey. But the Moors had discovered that the power of France was still intact, and they' turned a deaf ear to his blandishments. '

Last December lie. managed to collect a scanty force, and raided the borders of the Tazn district., only to call down upon himself a. swift riposte from the On _ December 8 flie Freneli forces came into contact witli 'Abdul. Jfnlek's lisrkn of about 300 horso and 1500 foot in the Mplirana, country. Tlia liarkn. was rudely shaken, and niost. of the Moors composing it fled to their homes in dismay, while the friendly tribes carried out a successful raid into tho enemy's country. On January 27 Colonel Simon captured his stronghold at Suk-el-Had v.'it.h a considerable booty, and A Mill Malek. is now a fugitive in the Riff Mountains.