"KING OF BRIGANDS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15949, 21 June 1915, Page 6

"KING OF BRIGANDS."

RAISULI FIRED UPON.

due to breach of faith.

By Telscraph—Press Association—Copyright.lEeceived June 20. 3.30 p.ta ) Madrid, June 19. The Heraldo states that Raisuli, the notorious Moorish brigand, recently obtained from General Marina a safe conduct through the Spanish zone. He was riding to Arzili with 100 notables, when the Spanish troops fifed on them. Ten men were killed, and Raisuli fled. Several subalterns .have been court-, martialled in connection with the incident.. Raisuli. the picturesque and elusive Moorish bandit, who a few years ago was always turning up in the turmoil of Moroccan affairs, has been called the " King of Brigands" and the Robin Hood of Morocco." Hie career has been a remarkable one. ■ He was a farmer in his early life, but several years ago he took to brigandage. Several years ago; Dr. Walter E. Harris, correspondent of a London newspaper, and a friend of the Moroccan Sultan, was, captured by the I bandits' and held by Raisuli for a ransom of £2000. Harris refused to pay it, and the Sultan sent a force of troops after the bandits, but they escaped. _ Han-is finally gained his freedom by paying the ransom after a headless body had been thrown into his tent. Two years later Raisuli seized lon ! Perdicaris, a native of.New Jersey, which was the occasion of the despatch of a; United States squadron to the Moroccan: coast and the alleged ultimatum purporting to have emanated from the State Department, "Perdicaris alive or Raisuli dead," which caused great enthusiasm at the Republican National Convention in Chicago which nominated Mr. Roosevelt for the office of President. Raisuli's next exploit was the capture of Kaid Sir Harry McLean, the adviser of the Sultan. McLean was held for seven months, and finally released on the promise of the payment of £20,000. Raisuli was appointed Governor of the Province of DjedtJft in 1907, but was later deposed.