5 JANUARY 1907, Page 9

It is a little difficult to be clear as to

what is happening in Morocco. The local tribes in the neighbourhood of Tangier have all submitted to the Shereefian troops, and have announced their willingness to co-operate with them in attacking Raisuli. Their creed is the worship of the rising sun, and clearly they think that the day of the great brigand is over. Raisuli himself, having been deposed from his governorship, has taken up his quarters at his own town of Zinat, where Ile has abandoned all official habiliments and taken to mountain costume again. According to the Times correspondent, be is watching the defection of his former allies in impotent anger, and making small punitive raids against neighbouring villages. The Sultan's War Minister, now that the powerful Anjera tribe has given in its allegiance, has issued orders for the whole army to advance against Raisuli's stronghold. For ourselves, we should doubt whether the Sultan is the implacable foe of the brigand. Raisuli may still be in his eyes a valuable counteractive to undue European exploitation, and once he is driven beyond the limits where he can embroil the Sultan with Europe, he may be left at peace to resume his old courses.