EVENTS IN MOROCCO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18894, 17 December 1924, Page 11

EVENTS IN MOROCCO.

SERIOUS TURN TAKEN.

SPANISH FOiRCEC MENACED.

BRITISH INTERESTS INVOLVED.

By Telegraph—Pre=3 Association- -Copyright A. and X.Z.- Tirr.e.». LONDON. Dec. 15

The Daily Express says a sensational development of the unrest in North Africa has occurred in Morocco.

The Spaniards, after seven years of strenuous fighting and a vast expenditure of lives and ruoney, are retreating beforo the Riffs to a line one end of which runs just south of Tetuan.

Now, the Anjera tribes, who inhabit the country north of Tetuan, are suddenly revolting. As a result t :ie Spanish forces are seriously menaced in front and in the rear, and Tetuan also is threatened. It is stated that the situation in Tangier may also become critical.

An official of the Spanish Embassystates that the present situation in Morocco is part of a general movement due to propaganda from on .side. Itbegan in Egypt, spread, to Tunis, and has now affected 10,000 Anjea Arabs. Spain is in danger of losing it . last foothold in Morocco.

Britain is affected because of the proximity of Morocco to Gibraltar and her interests in Tangier.

France is alarmed becauso of Algiers and her intrTttrts in Tangier.

The Madrid correspondent of the Times says the Spanish Directory announces that it has no intention of resigning. For weeks past the newspapers of all colours have been celebrating in advance the return of the Marquis de Estella (General Primo de Rivera), President of the Directory, f?om Morocco as the moment for a change of Government. Lists of a new Ministry have been published. The Directory has now stepped in with the following rejoinder: "It* is hereby declared that all press comment regarding the substitution for the directory of a civilian Government is pu; e nonsense. The Directory is not even thinking of resigning. On the contrary, it has still much work to do, and is buckling to its task with greater faith and enthusiasm, thus fulfilling its obvious duty." It is officially stated that tho report that Franco sent to Spain a Note in regard to Morocco is incorrect. The French Charge d'Affaires at Madrid was, however, instructed to ascertain tho Directory's views on the new situation created by the Spanish evacuation, arid to inquire into Spain's intentions in the future. The statement is confirmed that the British and French Cabinets are keeping in close touch in regard to events in Morocco. In a recent despatch to tho Times the Tangier correspondent of that paper said: There seems no doubt that the powerful : tribe of the Anjera, which hitherto has remained loyal to the Spaniards, is on the point of joining the rebel. cause. The Anjera territory extends from near Tetuan northward and westward to the vicinity of Ceuta and the frontier of the Tangier zone, including the whole southern shore of the Straits of Gibraltar. The smaller tribe of El Hauz, dwelling in the immediate north of Tetuan. through whose territory the ■ 'Tetuan-Ceuta- -cad runs nearly the whole distance to -J.-uta, will, it appears, follow the example of the Anjera tribe. This new movement threatens the Tetuan-Ceuta communications. Already a Spanish convoy has been attacked in Anjera territory.