SPAIN IN MOROCCO

Evening Star, Issue 18808, 5 December 1924, Page 9

SPAIN IN MOROCCO

RIFF LEADER'S TERMS NOT • ACCEPTABLE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, November 4. (Received December 5, at 8.45 a.m.) ‘ The Times ’ says that the Spanish peace negotiations with Abd-cl-Krim have apparently been abandoned at present, owing to the attitude of the Riff tender, who, According to ‘ The Times’s ’ correspondent, still demands the _ evacuation of the entire Spanish zone, with the exception of Ceuta and MeliHa. He also claims a war indemnity of £600,000 and oilier impossible terms.' Abd-el-Krim bolds about 1,200 Spanish prisoners.—‘The Times.’ FORTIFIED ZONE TO BE CREATED. , PARIS. October 22. In nn interview at Tetnan on October 16 with, a special of the ‘Journal,’ the Marquis de Evstella. President of the Military Directory and Higli Commissioner and Comninnder-in-Chiei hi Morocco, was asked whether his ultimate intention was to evacuate completely the Spanish zone in Morocco, with the exception of four of fi v e important places mi or near the coast. He denied vigorously (hat he had any such policy. “What has happened,” he said, in effact, “ is that, in spite of centuries of exprience in Africa, a great mistake has been made in our system of occupation. In the course of a few years we have covered this country of difficult, communications with a large number of little posts. Do you realise that we have, from one end "to the other of our zone, some 400 blockhouses or fortified works, occupied by effective garrisons of from ten to 100 men? These posts absorbed altogether more than 20,000 troops. As most of the posts were naturally on high ground, the water supply was a great difficulty. As soon as the ciHinv was in a position to snipe water-carriers, the best garrisons had to ■surrender in a fortnight.” Asked how the rebels came to be so wall armed, the marquis explained that the posts which surrendered were very well supplied with arms and ammunition, and with modern < quipment of all kinds, lie dm not believe that there was muon contraband supply of arms at the present. time. Formerly the rebels paid about 500 francs (about £6 ss) for rifles which were worth 50 francs, and gave as much ns ten centimes,for a round of ammunition. As for money, Spain bad had to pay, for example. 4.000,000 francs (about £47,100) at one lime for the. release of prisoners, and, further, an English syndicate, acting no doubt quite, independently of the British Government, had paid a first instalment of £150,000 on account of mining concessions. As to his future plans, _ General Prime do Rivera said that he intended to relieve the Spanish posts which wore still surrounded, and do a certain amount of clearing up in the districts which marched with the French zone. That, unfortunately, would probably mean a loss of 200 or 300 killed or wounded. As soon as ho had got his men bac_k he would establish in the neighborhood of the coast, and for a reasonable distance into the interior, a series of extremely solid bases. Tim natives within this pacified zone would have all the amenities which civilisation could provide hi a country of this kind in the shape of railways, roads, ports, and markets. Outside, this zone nothing would be done, but any natives who wished to come in to trade would be able to do so on condition of surrendering their rifles. Any agreement with Abd-el-Krim or any recognition of a Riffian State was impossible from every point of view. Ho was resolved to win, and he would win.