MOROCCAN MENACE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12015, 18 December 1924, Page 6

MOROCCAN MENACE

GREAT POWERS DISTURBED TANGIER ENDANGERED BY TRIBESMEN’S ADVANCE. SPAIN CUTS OFF NEWS. ,\ Bv Telegranh —Preas Assn —Copyright, lie liter's Telegram. LONDON, December 18. The sudden and drastic tightening of the Spanish censorship is a symptom of the seriousness of the situation in Morocco, resulting from the reported rising of the Anjera tribes between Tetuan and Tangier, which is disturbing French diplomatic circles. While confident of the French ability to defend the Tangier zone against a possible attack, diplomats apprenend international entanglements, owing to the dissatisfaction of several countries, oopecially Italy, with the recent Tangier Convention. The Paris newspapers are commenting most anxiously on the position. They declare that Paris is in constant contact with Madrid as to the precautions to be taken to prevent the incursion of Abd el Krim’s Riffian forces into Tangier. Several journals express the opinion that Britain is likely to side with Italy, but the “Homme Libre” urges the importance of joint Anglo-French action on account of the reaction of the affair on Islam. CONTROL OF TANGIER. Exactly a year ago, after ten years of wrangling, a convention in regard to Tangier was signed by the representatives of Great Britain, France, and Spain. The convention provided for the permanent neutrality of the port and district (140 square miles); forbade all fortifications, and placed the port under international control. Tangier is on the Atlantic side of the Straits of Gibraltar. Tetuan, the capital of the Spanish zone in Morocco, is four miles from the sea on the Mediterranean side.

CONFERENCE OF POWERS

TO BE HELD SHORTLY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 17, 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, December 15. M. Briand, interviewed in Rome by the “Daily Express” correspondent, said a combined British-Italian • French conference would be held shortly. chiefly to discuss North Africa problems.

SPANISH RETREAT

HEAVY CASUALTY LIST.

THOUSANDS CIAPTURED. Australian and NZ. Cable. Association. (Received December 17, 10.45 p.m.) PARIS, December 15. The serious plight of the retreating Spaniards in Morocco is indicated by the fact that in the last movement 20,000 were killed or wounded, or are missing, and several thousands of others were taken prisoners. There are still 120,000 Spanish troops in Morocco, and l they are costing £200,000 a day.' ' The rising of the Anjera tribe, hitherto friendly, is stated to be due to the bombing of the chief’s dwelling by a Spanish aeroplane.

ON THE STAITS

NATIVES CAPTURE PORT. Reuter’s Telegram. (Received December 12, 8.40 p.m ) TANGIER, December 15. The Anjera tribesmen captured Alcazar Seguer, a port on the Straits of 'Gibraltar, after two days’ siege. They are thus menacing the Spaniards! falling back on Tetuan.