1 MAY 1926, Page 3

The arrival of the Riff' delegates at Kiehl on Monday

means a more hopeful phase of the Moroccan peace negotiations. Hitherto there had only been long- distance exchanges. When the Ritfi delegates were sixty miles from Ujda a new Franco-Spanish demand was added to the original peace proposals. This was to the effect that before negotiations began the -French and Spanish troops should be allowed to advance their troops without hindrance to better -Positions. The original four points were that the Riffs must submit to the Sultan ; that Abd-el-Krim Must leave the Riff country ; that the tribes must be disarined ; and that prisoners must be exchanged. The Morocco corres- pondent of the Times, froth whose messages we take our information, says that the addition of the eleventh- hour demand by France and Spain created an unfortunate impression upon the -Riff delegates. Happily, France and Spain had the good sense to modify the extra demand and there is now a good hope that peace will be achieVed at Ujda. It .is..knoWn that all sides are anxious for though Spain is less willing -than the others. EVen if there should be *peace the Riffi will still be in urgent need of medical help. We publish an article on this subject elsewhere. • • *