MOROCCAN WAR

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 25 May 1925, Page 5

MOROCCAN WAR

ffHE FRENCH OPERATIONS

NOT A BRILLIANT SUCCESS

FAILURE OF BIG OFFENSIVE.

(ukusd press association— copxrioht.)

(iUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 24th May.

Important news from Morocco minimises the early reports of French successes. The Paris correspondent of the . Express," in a dispatch from Ttabat, states that the great battle in Morocco did not result favourably for the French. An official communique admits that the French columns retreated after having organised and revictualled posts established beyond the Ouerglia Biver and destined to survey and protect the road to Fez. This statement is regarded as preparing the public for bad news. The troops forced to retreat are those commanded by General Cbambrun, which have been fighting since Thursday in the Ainaicha sector.

An official announcement from Tangier states that General Chambrun undertook the direction'of-all the forces to clear out th 6 region of the Upper Ouerglia. The battle raged throughout Friday, and eventually the French carried all objectives and inflicted severe losses on the enemy. The report, however, adds that serious enemy infiltrations remain in other quarters.

PARIS, 23rd May. General Lyautey telegraphed to the Quai D'Orsay that the French successes had not yet had definite results. Nevertheless, the advanced posts cutting a road to Fez against the enemy have been revictualled.