Morocco

Southland Times, Issue 18061, 3 February 1903, Page 2

Morocco

SEEING TO THE BACK DOOR,

FRANCE'S INTERESTS

FRANCE AND BRITAIN AT ONE

Per United Press Association. By Electric Telograpfa.— Copyright.

LONDON, Feb. 1

The Moroccan Pretender has suspended his advance on Fez and retreated to his old position, in order to secure his rear.

Mu'lai- Arapa, the Sultan's uncle, is trying to stem tho anti-Christian movement in the direction of Algeria, owing to the French Minister for Foreign Affairs' ominous warning that Franco would protect Algeria against fanaticism and even invade Morocco, if necessary. Lord Lansdowne's and M. Delcasse's policies aro said to be identical with a view to ensuring quiet in Tangier and tho southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. LONDON' Feb. 2. Received 2nd, 10.50 p.m. A GOOD DRUBBING. Forces led by the Moorish Minister of War surprised and rushed the Pretender's camp at dawn, routing him with great slaughter. .They captured provisrio-ns and ammunition and re-captured the guns lost in the fight on li3rd December.

Received 3rd, 12.58 a.in

ALLEGED REVELATIONS

The Times' Madrid correspondent says Lord Lansdowne's and M. Delcasse's assurances to Senor Cibozaza, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, that intervention in Morocco, as far as they were concerned, wff9 at present not intended have quietened Spain. He adds . " But they told only half the truth." Ke declares that M. Delcasse at the end of the summer frankly proposed to Lord Lansdowne that France should recognise Britain's occupation of Egypt, France thereafter to have a free hand in dealing with Morocco, excepting the North African coast line, with a view to securing suzerainty by Pacific penetration as the corollary to the Franco-Italian arrangement as regards Tripoli. Lord Lansdowne was not unfavourable to the proposals, but requested the French Minis, ter to postpone the pourparlers until the South African and Venezuelan questions were settled. " The facts," continues the correspondent, " show France's greater friendliness and goodwill towards Britain and both "statesmen's recognition of the possible advantage of closer relations."