FIGHTING THE RIFFS

Evening Star, Issue 19021, 17 August 1925, Page 5

FIGHTING THE RIFFS

THE MOROCCAN WAR FRENCH SUCCESSES. Trees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 15. Reuter’s special correspondent, who lias arrived at Tangier from Sukelarha, near the scene of tho fighting in the Wczssan region, telegraphs stating that at the threat of a French advance on an extensive scale with tanks, tho Riffians fled northward, and tho local tribes surrendered. This complete moral victory for tho French has made an excellent impression, and rendered the fertile Chari) district secure. —Reuter. PARIS, August IG. Marshal Retain is going to Morocco on August 20.-—Reuter. SPAIN’S EXPOSITION. MADRID, August 16. (Received August 17, at 9.15 a.m.) Following tho French Government’s recent exposition of the Morocco situation, the President of tho Directory (General Do Rivera) has issued a Note stressing Spain’s desire for peace, hut emphasising Abdel Krim’s absurd and inadmissible claims, as, lor instance, the absolute unconditional independanco of tho Riff and other demands, which could only be formulated by someone who, like Abdel Krim, does not want peace, because ho lives and prospers by war.—Reuter. SPANISH LANDING FIXED. MADRID, August Bi. (Received August 17, at 10.40 a.m.) All preparations aro now completed for the Spanish landing at Allmceinns, which is definitely fixed for August 21. Forty thousand reinforcements have been despatched to undertake the operation.—Bonier.

RIFF LINE BROKEN. PARIS, A ugust 16. (Received August 17, at 10.45 a.m.) A message Irom Rabat states that the French have broken through the Rilf lino north of Wezzan. Similar success is expected on the western and centre fronts.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

The Tangier correspondent of ‘The Times ’ wrote; a few weeks ago'A much more important subject which _ must necessarily come before the meeting of experts is the already announced Spanish landing at Alhnccmas Ray and advance on Ajdir, Abdel Kriin’s headquarters, a. few miles inland. No doubt a Spanish descent upon the coast near Ajdir would have a considerable moral effect niion the Rill's and might case the situation on the other I routs. But does Spain realise the difficulties and dangers which such an adventure entails? The risk's will not cud with the landing, difficult as that will bo. .Abdel Ivrim lias already taken the necessary precautions, and his artillery is in position. A landing, under the fire of guns secreted in the (dills, upon a hostile shore defended by .men of the type of these RitT tribesmen is an adventure from which any military _ and Viaval commanders might well shrink. And if Ajdir is reached? It consists of a few rough stone houses in an inhospitable region. In one of those houses' Ahdc! Kriin lives his instore and simple life. He will abandon noihing, imp he has nothing to’ abandon, hut ho will move inland and continue his warfare from a new headquarters. The occupation of Ajdir would ho a matter of no permanent importance and would entail great risks, serious enough in the landing and oven more serious_ in Hie. dangers of^withdrawal. It is wiser not even to" refer to what would lie iho effect should it fail.