Trouble in Morocco

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 28, 1903

Trouble in Morocco

There is at least a germ of international trouble in North Africa at the present time. The sultan is finding it exceedingly difficult to cope with the situation, and in a number of engagements recently, his troops have suffered at the hands of the rebels led by the pretender. The sultan is preparing to abandon his capital at Fez and take refuge in the city of Rabat. It is reported that an insurrection against the sultan has occurred in the city of Fez, resulting in terrible scenes. Missionaries in that country have either departed or are preparing to depart. The rebellion seems as much a revolt against foreign influence as against the sultan. The inhabitants are Mohammedans, and bitterly oppose the work of the missionaries and the introduction of the railway, telegraph, and telephone, and other modern conveniences. The sultan has favored these, and thus has aroused the enmity of many of his own people. Naturally, the nations are interested; for many foreign interests are centered there. France now controls Algiers and Tunis, and territory surrounding Morocco, and would like to round out her North African territory by the acquisition of that country; but Spain has a colony at Ceuta and at Melilla on the mainland of Morocco, and Great Britain occupies Tangier. So neither of these powers is likely to look on placidly while France takes the country. The latter country, however, is massing her troops on the Algerian frontier, ready if occasion should offer, to invade Morocco and begin the subjugation of the country. There is much involved in such an act, and the nations are watching anxiously every move made.