PLIGHT OF SPANIARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18895, 18 December 1924, Page 11

PLIGHT OF SPANIARDS.

MOROCCAN DISASTERS.

RETIRING TROOPS' LOSSES.

TORT TAKEN AFTER SIEGE.

ANJEEA TRIBES' RISING.

ANXIETY IN FRANCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9.35 p.m.) A. and N.Z. PARIS. Dec. 16. A despatch from Tangier states that the Anjera tribesmen have captured Alcazar Seguer, the port on the Straits of Gibraltar, after two days' siege. This menaces tho Spaniards' withdrawal on Tetuan. The serious plight of the retreating Spaniards in Morocco is indicated by tho fact that in the last movement 20,000 men were killed, wounded and missing. Several thousand others wero taken prisoners.

There are still 120,000 Spanish troops in Morocco. They are costing £200,000 a day.

The rising of the Anjera tribes, who were previously friendly, is stated to have been due to a Spanisli aeroplane bombing fi chief's dwelling.

A message from Romo states that M. Briand, in an interview, said a combined British, Italian and French conference vcould be held shortly. Its chief object. ji - as to discuss North African problems.

The sudden drastic tightening of the Spanish censorship on news reflects the seriousness of the situation in Morocco as the result of tho reported rising of the .Anjera tribes between Tetuan and Tangier.

This is disturbing French diplomatic :ircles, who r though they are confident of ;heir ability to defend the Tangier zone :'rom possible attack, apprehend international entanglements owing to the dissatisfaction of several countries (especially Italy) with the recent Tangier Convention.

The comments o£ the Paris newspapers reveal the greatest anxiety. They say Paris is in constant contact with Madrid.

Precautions are being taken to prevent the incursion of Abdul Krim'a Rifi forces into Tangier.

several journals express the opinion that Britain is likely to side with Italy, but T/Homme Libre urgc3 the importance of joint French and British action on account of the r&iction on Islam.