North African Unrest The violent anti-French agitation in North Africa
has compelled the French Government to take severe repressive measures ; the consequences of its continuance would have been alarming. The three French administrations in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia have been co-ordinated under a committee presided over by M. Albert Sauraut, Minister without Portfolio, who has been given responsi- sility for North African affairs. At the week-end a decisive blow was struck at the agitation in Morocco. The Medino, or Old City of Fez, the holy centre of Moslem North Africa, was occupied by troops on Friday, the day of prayer, and boo Nationalists who had heard an appeal for a holy war in the Mosque were arrested. They included Ovazzani, the extremist leader, who with 200 others was sentenced to a term of imprisonment. This delicate operation was carried out with complete success ; but repression alone will probably fail to suppress. the anti-French agitation. Though there is much evidence of foreign influence, the movement finds its basis in economic unrest, accentuated by religious and nationalist feeling. With foreign support, such a movement may have serious consequences, both military and political, for France. The French Government, however, has already shown its appreciation of the motives which are at work ; and a decree raising the native worker's daily wage from the equivalent of 6d. to 9d. should be of considerable effect in diminishing unrest.
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