SEEKING BRITISH AID

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12185, 9 July 1925, Page 8

SEEKING BRITISH AID

FRENCH WAR IN MOROCCO ALUED FLANK ATTACK PLANNED BRITAIN UNLIKELY TO AGREE By Telegraph.—Press Assn. — Copyright.. Australian hikl N.Z A station (Received July 8, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 7. The “Daily Express” correspondent in Paris states that it is reported that nine generals refused the Morocco command before General Naulin accepted it. The nine generals offered the opinion that it was useless to accept unless the Government was prepared to send the necessary reinforcements of men and material. Those who declined included General "\\eygand and General Guillaumat, who is commanding on the Rhine. French opinion is desirous of Britain sending troops to Tangier, which is defended only by a small garrison of international police, in order to relieve the situation. France, is now negotiating with Britain and Spain, desiring to initiate a flanking attack on the Riffs through the Spanish zone. MARSHAL LYAUTEY, a p commanding the French forces in a Morocco. General Naulin is to suePublished in “The Times.’* Britain is reported to have decided definitely against the Spanish Directorv’s proposal to land British troops at "Tangier. This is a wise decision, says the Tangier correspondent of “The Times,” who points out that the disembarkation of international troops would only render more complicated the already sufficiently complicated situation. It would be the beginning of the end of Tangier’s status, for it would be quite incompatible with, tho intentions of the conventions.

FINAL OFFER OF PEACE The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says that the French and Spanish Governments intend making Abd-el-Krim a final peace offer. If it is rejected, the French will presumably take the offensive, supported by pressure exerted by the Spanish forces from their zone. Briefly, France and Spain propose to recognise Krim’s authority over a large region, extending between the two zones to the valley of the Wergha', under the nominal suzerainty of the Sultan of Morocco. He would then be in a similar position to some of the more important southern Moroccan caids, who are virtually independent rulers. Viewing Krim’s present state of mind, there is not much doubt that he will reject the proposal, whenever it is formulated.