UNREST IN MOROCCO

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 27

UNREST IN MOROCCO

REBELLION IN FEZ. PARIS, April 22. Those murdered at Fez include the wife of the Matin’s correspondent. The newspaper prints terrible narratives of savagery and unbridled license, which lasted three days, the Jews being particularly singled out. Many were thrown from house to house, and Jewish girls were violated. Four thousand Jews took refuge in the palace. The French troops killed 800 rioters, and lost 19 killed and 100 injured. Thirteen French civilians were killed. FEZ, April 23. General Monier has dismissed all the pashas, and will appoint governors to replace them. A court-martial will try the ringleaders. The general will disarm the inhabitants, and possibly levy a war contribution as an indemnity for th© victims’ families. The most horrible scene of all was the barricading of the wireless operators in an upper room. They had only one revolver, but killed 15 of their assailants. Eventually the Moors climbed on to the roof and poured boiling oil on the men. As escape was hopeless, one of them committed suicide, after killing his three comrades to prevent them from falling alive into the natives’ hands. April 26. Seven thousand Jews have taken refuge in the Sultan’s garden. They are shelterless, except for the empty cages belonging to the Sultan’s menagerie. During the mutiny two French lieutenants and two veterinary surgeons barricaded themselves in an hotel room, which was without windows. When the door yielded to the mob they escaped into a sewer leading to the river, and stayed there without food and water for 48 hours, when they emerged in safety. The Shereefian troops at Fez are being disbanded, and their place taken by French troops. The new pasha is energetically arresting the guilty and restoring order. The French losses include 65 killed. A squadron of 175 Shereefian cavalry at Suk-el-Arba have deserted with their horses, arms, and baggage.