Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1903 — THE REVOLT IN MOROCCO. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE REVOLT IN MOROCCO.

Fighting Fierce on Both Sidee-Prie* oners Are Put to Death. For several months Morocco, in northern Africa, has been tom by internal warfare owing to.a revolt headed by a religious fanatic’ named Omar Zarahuni. This impostor began preaching a holy war against the Christians and rapidly gained adherents among the fierce Berber and other tribes, who are opposed to the present Sultan owing to tlie acceptance by the latter of many modern ideas. At different times the troops of the Sultan and those of the impostor, who also, it seems, lays claim to tlie have come into tierce collision and with varying results. Now. the forces of Zarahuni were defeated; now it was the Sult.ill’s soldiers who were routed. Recently, according to latest, reports, the Sultan's troops met with a serious defeat near Taza, the headquarters of the rebels. The cavalry of the Hitter broke through the imperial ranks and the soldiers of the Sultan, becoming demoralized, broke mid fled, abandoning their guns, rifles, ammunition, tents and beasts of burden. It is said that 2,000 of the Sultan’s troops were killed or wounded. Those nlw escaped were chased to tlie gates of Fez, tiie capital, where they are now awaiting attack by the pretender's forces. The serious condition of affairs has aroused various European governments and both England, France and Spain are ready so throw troops into tlie country for tlie protection of Christians should the danger become more acute. There are 10,000 Christians in Morocco, 9.000 of whom live in the seacoast cities, which

are commanded by the guns of the European navies. Others are scattered throughout the country and at Fez anil Mequinez there are American missionaries. Spain maintains garrisons at Ceuta and Melilla, so that missionaries who may seek refuge there will be secure. It is probable that the present revolt may lead to European intervention. France. Spain and England want Morocco. or parts of it, so that tlie solution of the trouble which lias now arisen iu not an easy one. The Moors are a very fanatical people and are daring to recklessness. The warfare now being waged among them is that of savages, neither side sparing 'helpless prisoners. The captured are necorffitigly put to death. Our illustration shows a group of captives taken by the Sultan's forces in one of the early engagements and being guarded until the time for their execution. The picture is reproduced from the Illustrated London News.

CAPTIVES GUARDED BY SOLDIERS.