WAR IN MOROCCO.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1924, Page 5

WAR IN MOROCCO.

BIG MOVEMENT PENDING. By Telegraph—Tress Assn.—Copyright Received Sept. 16, 9.45 p.m. Madrid, Sept. I's. The Spanish war in Morocco is entering on a new phase. The withdrawal of the garrisons of the outlying Spanish posts which is now occurring indicates that the Marquis Destella is concentrating all his available forces at Tetuan for the purpose of striking a crushing blow at the enemy. It is expected that several columns amounting in all to forty thousand men, will be employed. The most important objective will be the relief of Sheehuan, situated forty miles south of Tetuan, from which it is at present isolated.

An official communique announces the evacuation of six Spanish positions on the Wadlau line, including Cobbadarsan. A supply column for Kalaa attained its objective after a brilliant bayonet charge. FRENCHMAN MURDERED. By Telegraph.—Pres* Asan.—Copyright Paris, Sept. 15. It is reported that the Riff tribesmen murdered M. Harold. a Frenchman employed on the Tangier-Fez railway, and carried off his wife. The French Ambassador at Madrid has asked the Spanish Government to secure the release of the wife, also to ensure the effective protection of French sub jecte in Spanish Morocco. POSITION IMPROVED. Paris, Sept. 10. News from Madrid is that the situation in the western zone of Morocco shows an improvement. The road betweeq Omit a and Tetuan has been cleared of rebels. The military directory do not intend to abandon Sprain’s rights in Morocco, but propose merely to reduce the number of positions held.

ADD MECCA ENDANGERED /.. /.. Received Sept. 16, 9.45 p.m. Cairo, Sept. 15. The Wahabis have captured Taif, sixty miles distant from Mecca, whose fate is precarious. King Feisul’s troops are attacking the WaHiubis, -hoping to create a diversion in favour of King Hussein, who is hoping that British troops will come to his assistance from Bagdad.