WAR AGAINST THE RIFFS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19125, 17 September 1925, Page 9

WAR AGAINST THE RIFFS.

BIG OFFENSIVE PLANNED. ANOTHER MONTH'S FIGHTING PROGRESS OF THE CAMPAIGN. , .• •- jl' .... ■ - ; i • " By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, (Received 11.30. p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Sept. 15. A message from Paris states that the French Premier, M. Painleve, has announced that operations in Morocco are progressing satisfactorily. An offensive on a much larger scale than hitherto is being prepared, and it is hoped that the war will be ended by October 15. According to a telegram from Fez the reported capture of the Bibano Heights was premature. The French artillery and aircraft bombarded this position yesterday. Otherwise all is calm at present. A message, from Casablanca . states that two Communists have been arrested on a charge of inciting the troops to mutiny. They will be court-martialled. An official communique issued from Madrid mentions that some difficulty has been encountered in landing supplies at Cebadilla Bay for the Alhucemas force, owing to uncertain weather. A Melilla telegram states that barges which until yesterday supplied food to the Spanish forces at Alhucemas Bay have been withdrawn owing to the roughness of the sea, which has also delayed the laying of a telegraphic cable between the peninsula and Morronuevo Island. In anticipation of bad weather, however, the • force had been provided with several days' supplies. A later' report says that the weather has improved. ' ' r, ' Spanish aeroplanes are constantly bombing neighbouring villages. A crack Spanish regiment while embarking at Malaga for Morocco mutinied. Many were killed and injured in the course of conflicts with the police. A report from Fez says there is some aerial artillery activity. The French are delaying further action pending consolidation.