A FALLEN IDOL

Otago Witness, Issue 3769, 8 June 1926, Page 28

A FALLEN IDOL

ABD-KL KRIM’S HUMILIATION. FORMER SUBJECTS SHOW CONTEMPT. LONDON, May 31. Reuter's Tangier correspondent says that the Spaniards claim that Abd-el-Krim, who arrived at Taza yesterday, is their prisoner, because 18 Spanish officerprisoners are not accounted for, and also because Abd-el Krim started the war against Spain before fighting the French. The Spanish prisoners are in a pitiable condition. They are very bitter on the subject of their treatment. The French prisoners were better treated. A mournful cavalcade of over 200 mules, staggering under the burden of the personal belongings of Abd-el-Krim and his wives, wended its way along the dusty mountainous roads to Taza. The cavalcade completed the journey much in excess of the scheduled time, owing to the refusal of the tribes to assist in the transport of the leader’s goods. The procession, while en route to Taza, had the humiliation of enduring the gaze of the once loyal villagers now scarcely concealing their contempt for their former all-power-ful chief. ABD-EL KRIM INTERVIEWED. LONDON, June 1 The question of Abd-el-Krim’s future is exciting interest. Krim himself says he asks only one thing—not to be handed over to the Spaniards. In an exclusive interview with the British United Press, he said: “I would have accepted the terms accorded by the Oudja conference, but my followers refused to accept the Spanish yoke. When promised them independence I knew that the troops of the Little Riff were no match for the combined forces of Spain and France. I wanted to be killed in the last battle against the Spaniards, for whom I have only hatred. We would have fought them to th< last man. but against the French is another matter. I have full confidence that France will give the Riffs the status as a country that they deserve, and for this reason I hove put myself and my family in their hands.” CLEANING-UP OPERATIONS. PARIS, June 2. There still remains the cleaning up to be done in Morocco. Now that the dangerous pocket formed by the Beni Zeruses has been practically eliminated, the French and Spanish forces have a clear district north-east of Wezzan. This means joint action against the Jebala tribe in the direction of Sheshuan, necessitating a considerable Spanish advance. The war party in the Riff territory appears to be preparing to resist. Abd-el-Krim's War Minister, accompanied by the Riffian Harka, is reported to have arrived at Sheshuan. SECRET HISTORY OF WAR. N LONDON, June 2. The Daily News says that, while it is stated that France possesses documents showing the extent to which European countries—particularly Russia, Germany, and Italy—helped Abd-el-Krim; Spain obtained much more startling documents from Abd-el-Krim’s brother, Si Mohammed prior to his surrender, alleging that General Lyautey entered into direct negotiations with Abd-el-Krim, which were detrimental to Spain, six months before France entered the war, and also that he allowed manufacturers to supply Abd-el-Krim with munitions. When the negotiations broke down General Lyautey realised that Abd-el-Krim was using France as a pawn, and found a pretext for declaring war. A British officer, formerly employed in the Indian Stapply rraniDort Service, conveyed the letters to the palitieal leaders in Madrid. EXILE OR COURTMARTIAL ? PARIS, June 3. France and Spain have different intentions regarding Abd-el Krim, according to Moroccan advices. Spain wants to comrtmartial him on charges of brutality, including the murder of 22 Spanish officers who were reported to have died of typhus, but who were shot, bayonetted, and stabbed. France is considering exiling Krim to Corsica.