The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER ll, 1924. MOROCCO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 September 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1924. MOROCCO.

Delivered every evening by & o’clock in Hawera, Manaia. N^nnanby. Okaiawa, Eltham, Pates, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangat, . Meretnere. Fraser Road, and Otakeno Manutabi, Alton, Barleyville, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatnna, Opunake,

The long stretch of coast line marking the southern boundary of the Mediterranean has since very early times been the scene of many great battles, and some of the most horrible deeds in history have been committed in that part of Northern Africa. The reports of the fighting going on in the Tetuan district between the Spaniards and the unruly tribesmen call to mind the great wars of the sixteenth century when Charles the Fifth of Spain was engaged in long conflict with the Moslem enemy, and when the carnage was indescribable.. European nations have for. centuries had interests in the Barbary States, and Morocco has frequently been the scene of serious trouble. The French have been much more successful in their control of their Northern African territory than the Spaniards have been in their ef r forts to handle the small piece of Africa situated immediately opposite Gibraltar. The Spanish nation was at one time powerful, and in warfare its troops were noted for their gallantry, dash, and valour. No doubt the soldiers engaged in the present conflict with the tribesmen will display similar qualities, but in the matter of preparing and maintaining proper communications and having on hand •sufficient materials the Spanish fail lamentably. Money has been voted by the Spanish Parliament for defensive purposes in Africa, and spent, but the essential work has not been done, and when a conflict occurs the troops are soon faced with the inevitable difficulties associated with bungling and short-sighted administration. The position is the more serious because, under treaty with the other Mediterranean-Powers Spain has important obligations, and if she is unable to discharge' them satisfactorily there, may be greater trouble. Spain has in the past complained bitterly because she has not been given a more prominent position in matters concerning} the Barbiary States, but the history of her failures in the past proves that she is not capable of filling the position of international policeman. General, de Rivera recently impressed upon the Spanish people that serious developments werfe taking place, and probably he referred to Morocco. The Directory has been in office just a year, and though it took power with the express purpose of improving the country’s condition, the position in Morocco indicates that, whatever progress has been made at home, there is still much improvement required in Spanish territory across the strait. The latest news from Madrid stated that the position had improved, but a Gibraltar message indicated that the trouble was far from ended. France is. anxious that Spain shall gain a decisive victory over the tribesmen because of the trouble which the French may have to face if the tribesmen gain an appreciable success. The moral effect of a victory by the tribesmen might lead to disturbances in French Morocco, an area far greater than that under Spanish administration. But to make peace with the tribesmen is difficult, for their leader (Abdul JCrim) has said that they will make terms witty Spain only on the

basis of freedom of the country. A writer in the Contemporary Review says that “the Riffians will fight as long as possible to prevent Spain becoming the suzerain Power, because the latter country nas no right to enter into a military occupation or claim the smallest portion of the Riff.” As the tribesmen number about a million, the problem facing the Spanish Government can he easily understood, a problem made the more difficult because the people’ of Spain ape by no means, keen upon the operations in the area taken over by Spain twelve years ago. However, it is to be hoped that the fighting will end soon and that Spain will speedily improve her methods of handling her - African territory, which is capable of being develope4 iiito a valuable possession under proper control. or that she will evacuate the Riff. ;