Moroccan War

The past week in Morocco (TIME, May 11 et seq.) began by a flat rejection by the French and Spanish of Abd-el-Krim's demand that peace negotiations must be preceded by unqualified recognition of the Riff area as an independent and sovereign State.

Following this, French and Spanish troops, operating from the extreme west of the fighting line, inflicted a minor defeat on the Riffians. The Spanish and French commanders, General Riquelme and Colonel Freydenberg, celebrated by meeting for breakfast.

A few days later, the stronghold of the Sarsar massif was stormed and captured, and some 5,000 tribesmen surrendered unconditionally to the French and Spanish. General Riquelme and Colonel Freydenberg again breakfasted.

Reports began to filter in of desertions from Abd-el-Krim to the French. Several chieftains who had gone over to the Riffian leader were alleged to have offered to return, help fight the Riffians, if only the French would pardon them, grant them arms and munitions. At the same time, it was reported that the Riffians were subjecting unwilling warriors to barbaric cruelties, "such as cutting off their arms and legs in the presence of women."

From Paris it was announced that Marshal Petain, who recently returned to the French metropolis after a tour of inspection in Morocco (TIME, July 27), would return immediately to Morocco to direct a great offensive against the Riffians.

The signs were that the French and Spanish would make a tremendous effort to compel Abd-el-Krim to submit before the October rains descend to put an end to operations for the winter. It seemed unlikely, however, that they could accomplish so much in so short a time.