MOROCCAN WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19584, 14 September 1925, Page 7

MOROCCAN WAR

SPANISH COMMUNICATIONS THREATENED. FLYING COLTJM& FORMED. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 11. The Anjera rising threatens the Tangier and Tetuan communications. The tribesmen are engaged in fierce night encounters with the Spanish outposts in the forests adjoining the Tetuan road. General de Rivera hastily formed a flying column of the Foreign Legion to dislodge the rebels. The dreaded wet season is believed to be setting in early.—Sydney Sun Cable. CO-OPERATION WITH FRENCH. ABD-EL KRIM WITHDRAWING. MADRID, September 12. (Received Sept. 12, at 5.5 p.m.) The Riffs are strongly pressing TetuanNevertheless the situation is easier, ihe Spanish bombarded and destroyed villages at Hassana, concentrating on Alhucemas for tile purpose of marching on Ajadil. The French left flank’s advance is intended to culminate in an attack on Sheshuan in conjunction with the Spanish advancing on the opposite side. . - , Abd-el Krim’s council of war decided to withdraw to the interior, enabling better resistance. The French battleship Paris was holed below the waterline and her wireless destroyed by 7in shells during the Kilt bombardment. The Metz and Strasburg were also damaged.—A. and N.Z. Came. 'THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN. M AR.KTiYn progress reported. PARIS, September 12. (Received Sept. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) Marshal Lyautey has departed on his return to Morocco where he will cooperate with Marshal Retain in the political exploitation of military operations which the latter directs. Advices from Jeas st&te thatr a terrinc artillery preparation for 21 hours preluded the attack which was launched at 2 in the morning by two wings or the French northern front extending beyond Terual on one side and Tafrant on the other. , A communique states that the attack is developing satisfactorily, and a number of posts have been occupied. The object of toe attack was the reoccupation of outposts north of Wergha, which were abandoned earlier in the year. , The situation at noon was reported to be most favourable. The French had attained all their objectives, encountenng reaastance at only a few points. The rebels under aeroplane and artillery attack retreated north to Bibane. Renter. RACE AGAINST RAINS. MARSHAL RETAIN’S ADVANCE. LONDON, September 12. (Received Sept. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) Tho Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent says that- after 45 hours bombardmeht on a 40-mile front 60 of Marshal Petain s battalions advanced another stage in the great race against the coming rams. Unless they cross Ouergha driving bade the Riffs installed on the northern bank within two or three weeks tho fords will become swollen and impassable, necessitating a suspension of the oampoim Artillery concentrated on Ruffian posts laid a barrage before the advancing troops. Tanks cleared the valleys and roads, ensuring the infantry’s free passage. There were only occasional hitches in the French progress due to obstinate machine-gim posts. Four hours after daybreak the advance had gone well beyond the’jotted objective. The left flank reached Mount Mesned, which dominates the country round Terual. The right flank advanced up the Sahela Valley as far as bkr, taking Astar heights in its stnde. Substantial reinforcements landed at Alhucemas and Morronuevo, and several coastal tribes are ready to rr ? n< | - h The Spanish general reports that neigh bouring villages hoisted the white flag. The Daily News’s Parris correspondent says that, preceded by a heavy artillery preparation, the French made a surprise advance in the valley of the upper Ouergha, marching to Kiffape and extolling to the right for the purpose of effectini a junction with the Spaniards at Melilla. The Riffs offered determined resistance. —A. and N .A. Cable.