THE NEW SULTAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13839, 27 August 1908, Page 5

THE NEW SULTAN.

POSITION IN MOROCCO. THE ALGECIRAS TREATY. NOTIFICATION TO THE POWERS. By Telegraph Frees Association— Copyright. (Received August 26, 11-45 p.m.) , Morocco, August 28. Mulai Hafid has decided that Menebhi Pasha (ex-Minister for War), who enjoys British protection, will be- the best intermediary between himself and the European Powers. Mulai Hafid has notified the Powers that he will adhere to the Algeciras agreement. He also accepts the responsibility for the Maghzen's (Government's) debts, but insists on an inquiry into his predecessor's private debts before paying the Court purveyors' exorbitant bills. BRITISH PLUCK. HOW ABDUL AZIZ ESCAPED. London, August 25. Dr. Verdon, who assisted Abdul Aziz to escape, is a son of the late Sir George Verdon, of Victoria. Sergeant Balding, who also assisted in the escape, pluckily worked the guns after the panic-stricken artillerymen had deserted, thus covering the retreat of the Sultan.

Mulai Hand, the new Sultan, i.- a brother of Abdul Aziz, and formerly occupied the position of Viceroy of Southern Morocco. He was proclaimed Sultan at Marrakesh on August 16 of last, year, the southern tribes refusing any longer to, give allegiance, to Abdul 'Aziz. They took possession of the city after the withdrawal of the Maghzen's troops. The Consuls and other Europeans at Fez were requested by (he Maghzcn to leave the city for fear of disturbance:-. Mulai Hand was proclaimed Sultan at Mazagan on August 26 and at Mogador on September 24, practically die whole of South Morocco submitting to him. His troops, however, sustained a severe defeat near Mogador on November 15, and Mazagan was afterwards reoccupied by the Sultan's troops. Since that time fighting has been proceeding intermittently, and finally the Sultan's forces were overthrown at Marrakesh, as stated in the cables a few clays ago, the Sultan sustaining a crushing defeat and barely escaping with his life. Morocco has three capitals, Fez, Marrakesh (Morocco), and Mequiuee. Fez, with a population of 140,000, is the seat of Government, and Marrakesh, which has a population of 50,000, is the capital of the Moorish Empire.