THE MOROCCO RISING.

Evening Star, Issue 11776, 5 January 1903, Page 6

THE MOROCCO RISING.

GERMANY'S WISHES. Piess Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. BERLIN, January 5. An inspired article published in Berlin says that Germany considers it tho mission, of the Powers interested—namely, Britain, Prance, and Spain—to restore order in Morocco. If diplomacy is ineffective the Powers must agree on a- course of action, but the chief thing is to uphold joint commercial interests. THE PRETENDER. THE SULTAN AND TEE JEWS. LONDON, January 4. (Received January 5. at 8.41 a.m.) Ten thousand Jews residing in Fez, indignant at the injustice and cruelty of the Sultan and his Ministers favor supporting the Pretender. °

The predictions of the Pretender’s collapse, fu j ? a^ore 9' mission, based upon the defeat of his forces on November 5, nave proved premature. So far he "i 18 carried out in the main what he told followers he would do, as a perusal of roe following account from ‘The TimesV Fez correspondent (who, however, anticipated Bu Hamara’s failure) will show. Speaking of the Pretender, the correspondent says that he is “ an educated Moor of the lower classes, a native of Ulad Yusef or Zarahun, it matters not which, who is known to have been in trouble on more than one occasion some few years since, and to have sought lands where his reputation was un-jWr£J?-nci to liave live<l both in Algeria, and Tmus. There it is probable that he acquired a little general knowledge of the world and its ways, and added to this attainment a certain dexterity in conjuriu". Returning lately to Morocco, he travelled about amongst the tribes, collecting alms by means of his small feats in the conjurer’s art, whidi won him a reputation for sanctity. The Berbers, always the most easily deceived, spread the report of his—to them miraculous powers broadcast, and his temporary abode in the wild tribe lands of tihiata, some two days’ journey to the east of Fez, became a rallying ground for the mountain tribesmen. Collecting a band of followers, took advantage of tribal disana allowed the report to get abroad, if be did not actually spread it himself, that the forerunner of the Mahdi had appeared. The tales of his marvellous powers reached Fez, and the fact that he, in humility, rode a small she donkcv gained for him the name of ‘Bu Hamara, ’ the Father of the She Ass,’ and added not a ktue to his prestige in a country where ostentation is the natural impulse of the P oo ?] - He had only to dip his band into the donkey’s panniers to withdraw it full of money; he had only to wave his cloak and whole tribes rose in arms against each other; he hod only to look his wonld-be assassins in the face, and their bullets fell harmless into his lap ; he had only to curse a village and a devastating fire devoured it Such were the stories that passed from mouth to mouth in the streets of Fes, and even there received more than half-credence. At length the Government felt called upon to act. Bu Hamara ’ had left his mountain abode, and on Friday, October 25, he entered the little town of Teza, some (seventy miles east of Fez, and was received as a prophet by the population. Here, as formerly, he preached and promised much. He preached the massacre of Christians, the overthrow of the Sultan and his Government, and the coming of the Mahdi He promised to all who would follow him immunity from the bullets of their enemies and a triumphant, entry into Fez, and he foretold that, as he and his army came in sight of the city, flames would burst forth and bum the Jews’ quarters. He wrote to the tribes announcing his mission, and demanded their obedience ; and he went further. He wrote in the name of Mulai Mohammed, the Sultan’s elder brother, who has always bcea looked upon by some as p claimant to the throne, though securely under guard in the palace of Mekinez.” Our Saturday cables stated that the Sultan had ordered the release of Mulai Mohammed, whom the Pretender says he desires, to see upon tho throne.