RIFF SITUATION CHANGED.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 19 September 1925, Page 9

RIFF SITUATION CHANGED.

Effect of French Invasion. REVOLTING TRIBES IMPRESSED. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received September 17, 8.10 p.m.) PATHS, September 18. A message from Fez states that the French victory on Bibane heights had a great effect among the Riffs. Tho news spread like wildfire among the insurrectionaries, and as the result, numerous negotiations for submission have been opened. The tribes all along the front aro sending emissaries in this cause. The French casualties at Bibano were only thirty-, despite the Riffs’ vigorous resistance. GRAPHIC STORY OF HEROIC DEFENCE. SPANISH FORCE SORELY TRIED; By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received - September 18, 8.10 p.m.) • TETUAN, September 17. A graphic description of the fighting in tropical heat, on arid mountains, without communications, is given bytee survivors of the garrison of Kudiatahar. They were suddenly enveloped in gun fire and grenades, causing twenty casualties the first day and harassing the. efforts defenders to protect their own munition dumps, which, were momentarily threatening to explode. Twenty-four artillery men attempted to cross tee enemy- lines, but fourteen were killed, including Lieut. Pilason. On the fourth day the Burgical dressings gave out, and water was exhausted. The defenders’ depended on the uncertain aim of Spanish airmen for scanty scraps -of ice. A native levy sortied at night time and brought back a littlo water, which was distributed in teaspoonfuls. Later Captain Zarazibar was killed, and the losses were increased by artillery fire. Finally the troops were exhausted. They sucked potatoes, sprinkled with sugar. Then they received an inspiriting wireless message, exhortng them to hold on as help was coming. Regulars from Melilla got through on September 13, and found the survivors on the point of collapse, but still holding out.