PEACE OFFER SCORNED

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12194, 20 July 1925, Page 7

PEACE OFFER SCORNED

KRIM LAUNCHES BIG ATTACK TO PROCLAIM HIMSELF SULTAN UNEASINESS IN FRANCE Assn.—Copyright, Australian and N.Z Cable Aaswsiation. (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. July 18. The "Daily Express” correspondent in Paris says the news from Morocco is grave. Abd el Krim’s reply to the semi-official peace offer and the suggested armistice has been an offensive on a scale large enough to cause the greatest uneasiness. The "Morning Post” says that despite M. Painleve’s specific assurance! i' is taken for granted in Paris that Abd el Knm is intent on capturing Fea (one of the capitals of Morocco), there to proclaim his Sultanate. The Riff Foreign Office has been busy carrying on propaganda among the border tribes, who are easily converted. (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 18. A communique from Fez states that the garrison at the Wadi Harimai post repulsed violent attacks by the raffs, who suffered heavy losses and retired to the mountains. It appears that the Riffs intended to attack all posts between Babhoceirie and Tafrant, but the day’s operations show a marked improvement in the situation. A telegram from Tangier states that the rebels suffered very heavily at Wergha and around Kelladeslees. The special correspondent of the “Matin” in Morocco estimates that 40 French battalions will have to be sent to break the Riff pressure. HIDING THE TRUTH The “Petit Journal” says that the people are not hearing the whole truth about Morocco. X'p to July 30th the French losses were: 5148 killed or wounded, -and 660 missing. The “Journal” alleges that the French effectives are far below the standard of efficiency, and some battalions have been reduced to 300. General Naulin, the new commander-in-Chief, In Morocco, has gone to Marseilles, en route to Casablanca Alicante. Marshal Petain has gone to Rabat by airplane. TANGIER, July 17. A Riff attack on a big scale is in progress in the sector from Tetuan to the limits of the international zone, FEZ, July 17. The Riffs violently attacked the French positions at Outdharne and Ainmatouf, but were repulsed with heavy losses. MADRID, July 17. A communique reports favourable Spanish operations, in the course of which native troops entered Riff territorv and sacked several villages. Casualties were practically confined to the native troops. PETAIN STIFFENS THE TROOPS Reuter’s Telegram. (Received Julv 20, 1 a.m.) Paris, July 19. Marshal Petain met Marshal Lyautey at Rabat, and later had an audenee with the Sultan of Morocco. General Naulin, interviewed, before going to Morocco, applauded the decision to send Marshal Petain to Morocco, as his presence would cheer the troops. General Naulin said there were at present 125,000 troops in the Riff region. He believed this force adequate to achieve the French aims. Reports in the French Press of Riff activities in the direction of Fez are confirmed by Madrid advices, _which describe the Riff attacks in Ainicha, and incessant airplane bombardments of the enemy lines.