RIFFS TO ATTACK FEZ

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19358, 13 July 1925, Page 5

RIFFS TO ATTACK FEZ

STRONG CONCENTRATIONS i SULTAN CALLING UP “FRIENDLIES” By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 12, 5.5 p.m. (Reuter). LONDON, July 11. . A report from Fez states that the situation at Taza, which strong enemy concentrations are'threatening, is well in hand. Every precaution is being taken for the efficient defence of the town. The assembly of native mohallas ; ordered by the Sultan, is proceeding I satisfactorily. The first mehalla of a | thousand rilles will be ready to take I the field for the French in a few days. I [Fez, one of the capital cities 'of ( Morocco, has a population variously , estimated from 150,900 to 54,000. It 1 !' cs , ln “ b , iU girt valle y, W 0 miles inl land. With crumbling walls and narI row. dirty, sunless streets, Fez has for over 1000 years been one of the sacred I cities of Islam, renowned for its unii i ersity and schools of learning. The university, attached to the venerated mosque of the Cherubim or of Muley Edris, is frequented by 1500 pupils , from all parts of the Mohammedan i world and has about 40 professors. Attached to this mosque is a library containing 30,000 MS.S. The extensive palace of the Sultan is now partly in rums. Although thus falling into decay, Fez is nevertheless one of the busiest commercial towns in NorthWest Africa. From here, caravan routes radiate to the interior of Africa T on C o lty Wns ffiuEded by Muley Edris in 808. It was occupied by a French relieving force in 1911,] BRITAIN STANDS ALOOF UNEQUIVOCAL REPLY TO SPAIN. I Received Julv 12, 5.5 p.m T , ~ „ LONDON, July 10. Ihe Daily Express states that the Government has despatched an unequivocal reply to Spain’s request for <? efen sive operations against the Kiffs, intimating that it cannot agree to send troops to Tangier. It is considered the Riffs have no intention of invading the neutrality of this terriAn - V measures such as contemplated would merely provoke them. The Note deprecates joint Franco-■-panish action with the same object and states that Britain could not countenance any proposals that the tribes of Tangier should be disarmed. The Note urges that the reports of smuggling are insufficiently well founded to warrant drastic action. British operations will therefore be confined to ass'st!°g ln poiieing the territorial waters of Tangier.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SPANISH TO AID FRENCH Received Julv 12. 5.5 pm , , . -MADRID. Julv 11. Advices from Morocco state that two Spanish columns have been ordered to concentrate in the Subbat section on the Spanish side of the frontier in order to cover a reconnaissance in force by a french mobile column.—Au«-V Z Cable Assn. Z ‘' GUN-RUNNERS ARRESTED AEROPLANES DOING GOOD WORK. Received July 13, 1.15 a.m. PARIS, July 11. Two mon have been arrested "on a | barge of gun-running thousands of Mausers and tons of explosives for the Riffs. An aeroplane bombed the Riffs at Amaisha and scattered a conference of staff officers. The bombs killed several i aud blew off the head of the horse ■ K rim’s brother was riding.