MOROCCAN CAMPAIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19530, 13 July 1925, Page 7

MOROCCAN CAMPAIGN

FRENCH AEROPLANE ATTACK. RIFFS’ CASUALTIES HEAVY. Pres* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, July 9. When 2000 Riffs were assembled in the market place at Elhad buying cattle and stores 11 French aeroplanes appeared and dropped one ton and a-balf of bomba. One hundred and seventy Riffs were killed and 600 wounded.—Sydney Sim Cable. FRANCO-SPANISH CONFERENCE. POLITICAL AGREEMENT. MADRID, July 10. The Franco-Spanish representatives reached an agreement in principle on the broad lines of political agreement regarding Morocco. It remains to put the finishing touches to the agreement. M. Malvy lias gone to Paris to attend the concluding session of the French Chamber on July 11.—Router. CIRCULATION OF PEACE TERMS. PAMPHLETS TO BE ISSUED. PARIS, July 10. During the course of last night’s speech in the Chamber of Deputies M. Painleve explained that at the conclusion of the Madrid Conference the F ran co-Spanish peace terms would be scattered by means of pamphlets among the tribesmen. No definite offer would be made to Abd-el Kxim, since the only dignified . course would be to leave the initiation of overtures of peace to the Riffs, who would get to know Franco-Spanish terms through the existing channel of communication between the belligerents.—Reuter. BRITAIN’S REPLY TO SPAIN. A FIRM STAND TAKEN. LONDON, July 11. (Received July 12, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Express understands that the Government has despatched an unequivocal reply to Spain’s request for joint defensive operations against the Riffs, intimating that it cannot agree to send troops to Tangier. It is considered that the Riffs have no intention of invading the neutrality of this territory, and any measures such as are contemplated would merely provoke them. The' Note deprecates joint _ FrancoSpanish action with the same object, and states that Britain could not countenance any proposal to draw a cordon round the southern frontier of Tangier. It also declines the proposal that the tribes in Tangier should be disarmed, and urges that the reports of smuggling are not sufficiently well founded to warrant drastic action. British operations will therefore be confined to assisting in policing the territorial waters of Tangier.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SPANISH CONCENTRATION. . MADRID, July 11. (Received July 12, at 5.5 p.m.) Advices from Morocco state that two Spanish columns have been ordered to concentrate in the Subbat sector, on the Spanish side of the frontier, in order to cover a reconnaissance force by a French mobile column. —Reuter. SITUATION WELL IN HAND. NATIVES TO ASSIST FRENCH. LONDON, July 11. (Received July 12, at 5.5 p.m.) A report from Fez states that the situation at Gaza, in which strong enemv concentrations were threatening, is well in hand. Every precaution is being taken for the efficient defence of the town. The assembly of the native Mehallas ordered by the Sultan is proceeding satisfactorily, and the first Mehalla thousand rifles will be ready to take the field for the French in a few days.—Reuter.