RIFF ATTACK ON BIG SCALE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 20 July 1925, Page 9

RIFF ATTACK ON BIG SCALE.

Grave News From Morocco.

NOT BEING TOLD WHOLE TRUTH. By Cablfr—Press Association —Copjrlffbt. Australian and N.Z, Cable Association (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) TANGIER, July 17. A Riff attack bn a big scale is in progress in the sector from Tetuin to the limits of the international zone. REPORT FROM FRENCH SOURCE. REPORTED REPULSE OF ATTACK. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) FEZ, July 17. The Riffs violently attacked the French positions at Ouldharne and Ainmatouf, but were repulsed with heavy losses. RIFF LEADER’S ANSWER TO PEACE OFFER. OFFENSIVE ON LARGE SCALE. By Cable—Presa Association —Copyright. Australian and R.Z. Cable Association. (Received July 19, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. The Paris correspondent of the, “Daily Express” says the news from Morocco is grave. Abd-el-Krim’s reply to tlie semi-official peace offer and a suggested armistice, has been an offensive on a scale large enough to cause the greatest uneasiness. The “Morning Post” says that despite M, Painleve’s specific assurances, it is taken for granted in Paris that Abd-el-Krhn is intent on capturing Fez, and there to proclaim the Sultanate. The Riff Foreign Offioe has been busy carrying on propaganda among the border tribes who are easily converted. .

FRENCH TROOPS BELOW STANDARD. HEAVY LOSSES ALLEGED. By Cable-—Presa Aseoclatlca —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 18. “Le Petit Journal” says the peoprt are not hearing the whole truth about Morocco. Up to June 30, the French losses were 5148 killed and wounded, and 666 missing. The Journal alleges that the Frencli effectives axe far below -the standaru of efficiency, and some battalions have been reduced to three hundred.

RIFF .FORCES BUSY. FORTY FRENCH BATTALIONS REQUIRED. By Cable—Presa Association—Copyright, neuter's Telegrams. (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 18. A communique from Fez states that the garrison at Wadi-Hurima post repulsed violent attacks of the Riffs, who suffered heavy losses and retired to the mountains. It appears that Riffs intended to attack all posts between Babhocoine and Tafrant, but the day’s operations show a marked improvement in the situation. A telegram from Tangier states that the rebels suffered very heavily at Wergha, and around Iveliadesiees. A special correspondent of “Le Matin” in Morocco, estimates that, forty French battalions will have to be sent to break the Riff pressure. General Naulin (new Commander-in-Cliief in Morocco) has gone to Marseilles, en route to Casablanca and Alicante. Marshal Petain in an aeroplane is also en route to Rabat. SPANISH STYLE OF ATTACK. NATIVE TROOPS USED. By Cable-—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) MADRID, July 17. A communique reports favourable Spanish operations, in the course of which native troops entered Riff territory and sacked several villages. The casualties were practically confined to native troops.

ORGANISING FRENCH FORCES. RIFF THRUST AT FEZ ADMITTED By Cubic —Pros* Association—Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams. Received July 20, 1 a'.m. PARIS, July IS. Marshall Petain met General Lyautey at Rabat, and later had an audience with the Sultan of Morocco. General Naulin, interviewed before going to Morocco, applauded the decision to send Marshal Petain to Morocco, as Ills presence would chqer the troops. General Naulin said there were at present 125,000 troops in the Riff region. He believed that this -force was adequate to achieve the French aims.

Reports in the French press of Riff activities in the direction of Fez are confirmed by Madrid advices, which describe the Riff attacks on Ainicha and incessant aeroplane bombardments of the enemy lines.