The greatest success the Spanish army in Morocco has had
so far was achieved on Monday, when Zeluan was taken without a, casualty. The object of General Marina's move- ment, in which fifteen thousand men were employed, was to
get behind the position of the Riffs on the mountains and bring them to a decisive action. This object has not been accomplished, although the occupation of Zeluan (which has caused enthusiastic rejoicings in Spain) is strategically important. The Times special correspondent says that from the town an almost level plain stretches to the river Quort. But if the Riffs cannot escape across the Quort, we believe that there are many fastnesses in the Riff mountains to which they can retire, and where they could not be easily followed without a dangerous dispersal of the Spanish forces. The prominent mountain named Gurugu, however, where the Spaniards suffered their reverse and from which the Riffs so often attacked Melilla, has been seized and fortified. A proof that the strength of the Riffs is not broken is that they have attacked General Sotomayor, who was on General Marina's right flank. So long as Gurugu is held by the Spaniards Melilla will not be haunted with the incessant danger of attack, but the conquest of the Riffs as a whole, which will be necessary if the railway is to be secured, is another matter.
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