THE MOORISH PRETENDER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14245, 20 June 1908, Page 9

THE MOORISH PRETENDER

PROCLAIMED SULTAN AT TETUAN. Press Association—By Telegraph.—Copyright. MOROCCO, Jrano 19. (Received June 19, at 9.55 p.m.) Mulai Halkl has been proclaimed Sultan at Tetuan. Totuan is a seaport in Morocco, 31 miles from Tangier. It is well fortified, and is defended by high thick walls and by'a citadel. A fortnight ago Mulai Eafed entered Fez with much pomp. The possession of Fez means tho possession, so far as the world is understood in Morocco, of the Empire. With a population of about 60,000, whdu the Sultan and his numerous retinue are in residence, For, is the most important of the three capitals of Morocco, tho others being Mekinzes in tho north, and Marakcsh in the south. Fez was founded' by Mulai Jdris the younger towards tho closo of the eighth century. Now it is divided into two quarters,' old and new Fez, the later containing only tho Mcllah, or Jewish quarter, and the Sultan's residence, an unpretentious building, so fur as tho outside is concerned, but inside a gorgeous place, with all the clmrac-jeristie wealth of Moorish ornamentation. In the old town of Fez, in the mosque of El Karon in, is a famous library of valuable manuscripts, besides a collection of ancient globes and astronomical instruments, relics of the time when Fez was a contro of Moorish culture. A famous mosque is that of Mulai Idris, where the founder of the city is buried. In the days of its glory Fez was a great trading and manufacturing contro, famous for its carpets, leathcrs,"woollons,'silks, jewellery, and saddlery. Even now the leathers of Fez are estimated the finest and most durable made in Northern Africa.