Moroccan War

For most of the past week a sirocco (hot, dry, enervating east wind) swept the battlefront where French and Riffians fight for supremacy in the Moroccan War (TIME, May 11, et seq.). Fighting slackened and what was done ended in success for the Riffians, proving that the French successes of the previous week had in no sense discouraged or reduced the resistance of their enemies. A number of tribal desertions to the Riffians was also reported. Marshal Petain, his face bronzed by the African sun, landed at Ceuta, en route to Paris from the front (TIME, Aug. 3) conversed long and secretly with General Primo Rivera, head of the Spanish military directory. Later, the Marshal disembarked at Marseille. Said he:

"Those waging war against France in Morocco are making a commercial affair out of it. Our troops have all necessary material and their morale is very good. The surprise attack launched against us in April could not be possible again. The Moors are aware of the valor of our forces."

Next morning he was in Paris, was for long closeted with Premier Painleve, whom he urged to take stronger action against the Riffians. Premier Painleve subsequently issued a statement:

"Our energy in the conduct of the war will not be less than our desire for peace. Every precaution is being taken to prevent heavy losses to our troops, but the Riffians and Djebalas must submit and accept the just and generous terms which France and Spain are offering them."

At Fez, military headquarters of the French, General Naulin, Commander-in-Chief of the French troops, entertained newspaper correspondents at dinner. Said he:

"Gentlemen, you will be wanting to interview me after dinner. After dinner is the orthodox time throughout the world for speeches. I do not know why. It prevents many people who fear they may have to speak from enjoying their food.

"What is more, we are in war time now. In war any good soldier takes the offensive--as Abd-el-Krim has done. I am going to take the offensive right now"--he paused a second, smiling whimsically--"against that interview you are expecting. I am giving no interview. I have nothing more to say than Clemenceau said: 'Je fais la guerre'."

At Manhattan, arrived a boat carrying 129 enthusiastic recruits for the Spanish Foreign Legion of every hue and numerous nationalities. The sight of the Statue of Liberty imbued them with a mad desire to see America. The captain of the ship forbade them to go ashore. As answer, they mutinied. Fists, feet, clubs, chairs, crockery were used. One man drew a knife, was promptly bumped on the head with a club. Eventually police restored order and the ship sailed for Spain.

Writing in The Atlantic Monthly, Mr.

Vincent Sheean said of Abd-el-Krim:

"I venture to offer the opinion . . . that the qualities and character of Abd-el-Krim and his associates are formidably high, as high as those of Mustapha Kemal Pasha and his associates; and that any underestimation of their force would be fatal to the European course in North Africa."