The French Government has been compelled to make a decided
move in Morocco. M. Jonnart, Governor-General of Algeria, had gone to the oasis round Figuig to inquire into some frontier disturbances, had been well received by the local Basha, and was returning, when he and his escort were attacked by the turbulent tribesmen from the walls of a fortress. Ten of his escort were wounded, and he himself compelled to retreat. It was necessary to punish this outrage, and accord. ingly three detachments of a thousand men each have been sent to the oasis, with orders to• surround Figuig and inflict exemplary chastisement upon M. Jonnart's assailants. M. Jonnart, it is stated, has warned the Basha that if he cannot police the oasis, France must. The meaning of this threat is that France must occupy the district. The tribesmen of Figuig perceive this, and intend to resist the French advance with the assistance of their allies, who are swarming to the spot, and may make the resistance very serious. The affair has created some excitement in Paris, London, and Madrid ; but, as we have explained elsewhere, there is no reason to believe that it will prove of international importance. The French are entirely within their right.
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