THE MOROCCAN TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17843, 26 July 1921, Page 5

THE MOROCCAN TRAGEDY.

HEROIC SPANISH GENERAL.

LIFE GIVEN TO SAVE TROOPS.

SUICIDE TO AVOID CAPTURE. By Telesraph-Presa Association-Copyrijht (Received 6.30 p.m.) A - Md N - Z ' MADRID. July 25. . of the Spanish military disaster m North-west Morocco are given by an officer who escaped from Anna!. He reports that the native trained levies had previously shown indications of treachery and had committed acts of mutinv. but General Sylvestre. the Spanish commander, did not heed the reports, believing that his presence would restrain them and restore order; but when the General despatched the bulk of his troops to a new position thousands of fully-armed and trained mutineers possessing artillery attacked the remainder. General Sylvestre and his staff succeeded in setting back to Anna.l, near Melilla. where the Spaniards entrenched themselves. Rebels cut off General Sylvestre's force from its s\ipply base. He then ordered a retreat to Sediedriss, he with his staff remaining at the post of danger at Annal. The retreating troops, carryinc: the ■wounded, proceeded in small contingents, each being attacked en route by the pursuing rebels, who charged with filed bayonets. General Sylvestre eventually got all the survivors of his force into safety, he and bis staff remaining alone at Annal. Unable to escape, the small force was assembled by General Sylvestre who, declaring that they must not fall into the hands of the Moors, drew his revolver. The others did likewise. All shook hands and embraced, and then shot themselves. General Sylvestre 'witnessed their deaths, and shot himself last. General Sylvestre is hailed as a hero throughout Spain, having saved thousands of troops from massacre. Attacks by powerful bodies of Moroccan rebels continue. General Sylvestre's detachment is still falling back, though it is believed that it is sufficiently strong to defend the Melilla zone. General Navarro has taken over General Sylvestre's command. Two thousand troops have been hurriedly despatched to Melilla from Ceuta, and further reinforcements are following. Several warships are being sent, and the Government has requisitioned a number of Atlantic liners and other large steamers to transport the troops. The Minister for War described the retreat :-:rom Annal as most disastrous, many casualties being suffered. He said that Spain was faced with a new situation in Morocco. Hitherto she only had to deal with isolated groups of rebels, but was now faced with a real rebel army, perfectly organised.