The rainy season in Morocco has apparently not won its
race against the French and Spanish armies whose co-operation has had distinct success against Abd-el- Krim. Day by day, fresh sections of the population are reported as " submitting." The Marquis de Estella, as we learn from the Daily Express, has said that the war is over and in the spring he will have a triumphal march with his troops through the country. With all allowance for Latin excitability we deprecate this tone. Even if the French and Spaniards have a successful winter consolidating their campaign, the Riffi will have a breathing space and are not likely to accept dictated terms. There is considerable sympathy with them here among those who see only a small people fighting two powerful countries for their independence, and who do not admit the Marquis de Estella's claim to be fighting the battles of all white Christian nations. Professor Gilbert Murray lately indicated to us the dangers which would arise from a Moslem success in North Africa. though this is no Holy War. In our opinion the most satisfactory solution is that France and Spain should reinforce their authority under the restraining recognition of the League of Nations, and show that they can use it unselfishly for the benefit of the Riffi. Is this too much to hope ?
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