FIGHTING IN MOROCCO

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 19

FIGHTING IN MOROCCO

COMPLETE VICTORY FOR MULAI \ HAFID. MOROCCO, August 23. Mulai Hand's forces crushingly defeated the troops of Abdul Aziz 50 miles from Marrakesh. The remnants of the army of Abdul Aziz are in full retreat towards the French zone in the Shawi district. During the retreat the shattered 'fore© repelled attacks by hostile tribes. Several kaids and chiefs "were killed. Many of Abdul Aziz's soldiery have joined Mulai Hand. At the commencement of the fight Abdul's artillery proved ineffective, owing, to a panic caused by the bursting of the guns. j Active preparations are being made to proclaim Mulai as Sultan at Tangier. August 24. Abdul Aziz barely escaped with his life after the wildest scene of treachery and panic in the village and oamp by his own followers. He arrived at" Saitat, and proceeds to Casablanca, thence to Syria, to await a change of circumstances enabling him to return to Morocco. It is understood that Mulai 'Hand will allow him a pension and a place of residence. Mulai Hafid was proclaimed Sultan at Tangier amid great enthusiasm. No officials will be changed. He has also been proclaimed Sultan at several coastal towns. LONDON, August 24. The Times' Tangier correspondent says there has been too much tendency to contrast the Sultans as^representing reform and reaction respectively. The actuM personality of the Sultan is unimportant, and Mulai Hafid will probably prove as amenable to loans as his brother.