MOROCCO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 20 July 1925, Page 5

MOROCCO

A RIFF ATTACK

ON BIG SCALE

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Aui & N.Z. Cable Association.) TANGIER, July 17. A .Riff attack on a big scale* is in progress in the sector from Tetuan lo the limits of the international zone. FEZ, July 17. The Riffs violently attacked French positions at Ouedharnc and Ainmatout, hut were repulsed with heavy losses. GRAVE NEWS LONDON, July IS. The Daily Express Paris correspondent says that news from Morocco is grave. Ahd el Krim’s reply to the semiofficial peace oiler and suggested armistice has been an oll'ensivc. 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 Ahd el Krim is intent on capturing Fez, there to proclaim a sultanate. The Rill' foreign office lias been busy carrying on propaganda among border tribes who are easily converted. VIOLENT ATTACKS REPULSED PARIS, July IS. A communique from Fez states that the garrison a|. Wadi Itavma post repulsed violent attacks of the Rill's wlm snll'erod heavy losses and retired to the mountains, h appears that (lie Rill's intended to attack all posts between Babhoceine and Tafront lmt the day's operations show a marked im provement in the situation. A telegram from Tangier states that the rebels suffered very heavily at \\’ergha and around Kelladeslees. The special correspondent of Le Matin in Morocco estimates that 40 French battalions will have to be sent to break the Rill's pressure. Le Petit journal says that people are not hearing tin- whole truth about Morocco. Up to 30th June the French losses were fil-IS killed and wounded, and (>(!(! missing. The Journal alleges that French elfectives are far below the standard of efficiency and some battalions are reduced to 800. RIFF ACTIVITIES CONFIRMED PARTS, July IS. General Retain met Lyantey at Rabat and later had an audience with the Sultan of Morocco. General Naulin, interviewed before going to Morocco, applauded the decision to send General Retain to Morocco and his preseiiee would cheer the trops. General Naulin said that there were at present- 123,000 troops in the Ritf region. He believed this force was adequate to achieve the French aims. Reports in the French press of Rill activities in the direction of Fez are confirmed by Madrid advices which describe the Riff attacks at Ainicha and incessant aeroplane bombardments of the enemy lines. PARTS, July 19. A Fez message says General Retain

arrived and began work with the general stall'. Enemy pressure on the central and northern front is palpably slackening. New attacks on the Ainnnstoull' and Ainaieha posts were repulsed with heavy loss. There were no French casual it ies. SUCC’ ESSFU L SPA NISH OPERATIONS MADRID, July 17. A Communique reports favourable. •Spanish operations in the course of which native troops entered Ritl' territory and sacked several villages. Casualties were practically confined'to native troops. FRANCO SPANISH PEACE TERMS

(Published in The Times.)

LONDON, July 19. The Directory appointed Major Aguil er to communicate to. Krim the Franco Spanish peace conditions, a French dele gation accompanying him.