FIGHTING IN MOROCCO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19283, 22 September 1924, Page 7

FIGHTING IN MOROCCO

A STUBBORN ENCOUNTER.

DENIAL OF REPORTED NEGOTIA TIONS.

Prats Association —By Telegraph—Copyright

MADRID, September 19. An official communique reports that anattempt to relieve Gorguie was fiercely resisted by the enemy. The operation will be continued to-day. A Spanish aeroplane was shot down and caught fire, the occupants (a captain and a sergeant) being killed. Interviewed by Le Journal’s Madrid correspondent, a high military authority strongly denied the reports of negotiations between Spain and Abdul Krim on a basis of the terms proposed by the Riffs last year. He declared that the army would not agree to a humiliating peace dependent on the evacuation of Tetuan, which would amount to a betrayal of international agreements and lead to a revolution in Spain.—Router.

RELIEF COLUMNS LOSE HEAVILY,

FIGHTING STILL IN PROGRESS.

LONDON, September 20. (Received Sept. 21, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Express’s Madrid correspondent says that five columns operating to relieve the Gorgues post lost heavily, the Riffs offering a fierce resistance. The fighting continues. —A, and N.Z. Cable.

STRONG POSITIONS CAPTURED. AEROPLANE BOMBARDMENT. LONDON, September 20. (Received Sept. 21, at 6.5 p.m.) The Observer’s Barcelona correspondent says that nearly 20,000 troops are engaged in the relief of the Gorgues post. Heavy fighting has taken place, and some strong positions were captured only at the point of the bayonet. An intense aeroplane bombardment was carried on in the meantime by squadrons from Tetuan, Larache, and Melilla.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

EX-PREMEER’S SON ARRESTED

GORGUES POSITION OCCUPIED.

MADRID, September 21. (Received Sept. 21, at 11.50 p.m.) Refael Guerra, a son of the ex-Premier has been arrested. A communique states that the Spanish troops have occupied the Gorgues position, thus safegarding the surrounding posts and dominating the height above Tetuan, which would otherwise he unsafe. —Router.