ABDEL KRIM’S REPLY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 193, 20 July 1925, Page 7

ABDEL KRIM’S REPLY

OFFENSIVE ON LARGE SCALE. GREAT UNEASINESS CAUSED. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON. July IS. The Daily Express’s Paris correspondent says that the news from Morocco is grave. Abdel Krim’s reply to the semiofficial peace offer and a suggested armistice has been an offensive on a scale large enough to cause the greatest uneasiness.

The Morning Post says that despite M. Painleve’s specific assurances, it is taken for granted in Paris that Abdel Krim is intent on capturing Fez, there to proclaim a Sultanate. The Riff Foreign Office has been carrying on propaganda among the border who have been easily converted.—A. and N.Z. cable. HEAVY FRENCH LOSSES. PARIS, July 18. The Petit Journal says that the people are not hearing the whole truth about Morocco. Up to Juno 130, the French iosses were 5148 killed and wounded and 666 missing. The Petit Journal alleges that the French effectives are far below the standard of efficiency, and some battalions have been reduced to 300 strong.—A. and N. cable. AEROPLANE BOMBARDMENT. PARIS, July 18. Marshal Petain met General Lyautey at Rabat, and later had an audience with the Sultan of Morocco. General Naulia, the now Com-mander-in-Chief, interviewed before going to Marseilles, en route to Casablanca and Alicanto, applauded the decision to send Marshal Petain to Morocco, as his presence would cheer the troops. General Naulin said that there were at present 125,000 troops in the Riff negion. He believed this force adequate to achieve the French aims.

Reports in the French press of Riff activities in the direction of Fez are confirmed by Madrid advices, which describe the Riffs’ attacks on Ainicha and an incessant aeroplane bombardment of the enemy lines. A communique received in Madrid reports favourable Spanish operations, in the coarse of which native troops entered Riff territory and sacked several villages. The casualties were practically confined to native troops. A communique from Fez states that the garrison at the Wadi Harima post repulsed violent attacks of the Riffs, who suffered heavy losses and retired to the mountains. It appears that the Riffs intended to attack all posts between Babhoceine and Tafrant, but the day’s operations show a marked improvement in the situation. A telegram from Tangier states that a Riff attack on a big scale is in progress in the sector from Tetuan to the limit of the international zone; also that the rebels suffered very heavily at Wergha and around Kelladeslees. The special correspondent of the Matin in Morocco estimates that fortv French battalions will have to bo sent to break the Riff pressure. — A. and N.Z. cable.

ATTACK BY THE RIFFS

FEZ, July 17. The Riffs violently attacked the French positions at Qaedharne and Ainmatouf, but were repulsed with heavy losses. —A. and N.Z. cable.