MOROCCO
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Your issue of May 30th contains some strong statements about the attack on the French in Morocco by the Riffs, butt are you so sure that the attack was unprovoked ? As I understand the matter it is this.
The Riffs were nearly exhausted by a desperate effort to' defend themselves against the Spaniards, who have made entirely unprovoked and unjustifiable endeavours to subdue, this brave and independent people. The French then ad.: vaned their troops into the territory of the Riffs, and now are careful enough to inform the world that they have been attacked by these people. Of course, the French can subdue; them if they try, but when they are subdued the French will hold the whole of Morocco right up to the Mediterranean; and the British Empire will no longer dominate the Straits of Gibraltar. The British Foreign Office for the last twenty years has taken its instructions from France. That may, or may•not, be a very wise policy. When the French guns com- mand the Straits of Gibraltar it may, or may not, be wise for us to continue to hold Malta, Cyprus, Egypt and Palestine; but no doubt those who decline to say a single word in defence of our only friends, the Riffs, have carefully considered these
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