BRIGANDAGE IN MOROCCO.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 20

BRIGANDAGE IN MOROCCO.

RAJSULI’S GROWING DEMANDS.

GOVERNORSHIP OF FOUR PROVINCES ASKED.

TROOPS LANDED AT TANGIER.

MOROCCO, June 16

Raisuli, the head of the bandits avlio captured the American millionaire and his stepson, now demands the Governorship of four provinces, with a guarantee from the-Powers-. The Sultan has conceded Ilaisuli the Governorship of four large tribes, inhabiting five hundred square miles near Tangier. The Sultan has landed five hundred troops at Tangier. European residents fear Raisuli will interpret this as an act of treachery.

THE CAREER OP MR PERDICARIS.

The millionaire Mr Perdicaris and his .stepson, Mr Varley, who have been captured by brigands, are well known in Tangier. Mr Perdicaris lias been a resident of that city for the past twenty years. He is a Macedonian Greek, but as he lived for soon© years in America, and took out letters of naturalisation in that country, he has been described in the cable messages as an American. For twenty years, however, as has been stated, ho nas been a resident of Morocco. Though only a private, citizen, holding no official posh tion. he lias taken great interest in the welfare of the people of Morocco-, and has distinguished himself for hits philanthropy and his efforts to improve the condition of the Moors. For instance; he took a very active part some years ago in promoting the reform of the prison system, which at that time was characterised by its barbarous and inhuman methods. Through his activity in this direction, however, he incurred the enmity of the State officials, who bitterly resent outside interference of this kind. Mr Perch cavis had the satisfaction, however, of seeing, mainly through his instrumentality, an improvement effected in tne treatment of the prisoners. In the days before he interposed, any Moor unfortunate enough to be condemned to prison was liable to suffer cruel torture, and; even to starve to death, unless he had influential relatives to take an interest in him. All this lias now been changed; Again, whilst Mr Perdicaris found himself op-

posed by the officials, he gained a good deal of: sympathy from the Sultan, who is-more progressive in hi<3 ideas- than some of the members of his court. The Sultan sent a bodyguard of one hundred soldiers to Mr Perdiearis, not only for his protection, but also in some uegree to compensate him for the treatment he nad received from the officials. These soldiers were accordingly in daily attendance upon him. The political situation in Morocco ils extremely turbulent, and the ioreugner who intervenes, however well-meaning- his motives, may find that the oiuy result of his efforts is that he himself is plunged into serious difficulties. The nouse at which Mr Perdiearis Avas captured is his country seat, a beautiful summer-house "Aidonia” its name —set in the midst of extensive grounds in an isolated place on the mountains, on the road to Cape partel. His residence in Tangier, “El Minzah,” is an Eastern palace. Mr Perd.caris is a man of fine cnaracter, and high intellectual attainments, who would nave distinguished himself in any career. Instead of entering public life, however, im has remained a private citizen, employing his money in philanthropy. The anxiety and suspense of his Av-ife during his period of captivity may be imagined. Mr Varley, also captured by Raisuli and bis band, is the stepson of Mr Perdiearis, though cable messages nave described him as his son-in-1 aAv. Miss F. M. Hodgkins, the well-knoAvn artist, Avfio is how in vV ellington, lately spent some time in Morocco, painting some fine pictures of that country and its people, and she says that theMoors are a singular people, avlio must be dealt with cautiously. The brigands are natives avlio, having refused to pay taxes, or in some other Avay come under the ban of the law, have fled to the mountains; but a capture of this kind is not of frequent occurrence. Mr Perdiearis is a well-knoAvn citizen of Tangier, where he is held in the highest esteem.