The condition of Morocco is causing a good deal of
anxiety to the French Government. When El Hiba, the pretender, entered Marakesh and was proclaimed Sultan, El Glawi, who professes attachment to the French, handed over to him nine Frenchmen. The nine include the Consul and Vice-Consul. They had refused to accompany the other Europeans to the coast when it was thought probable that El Hiba would seize the town, and when they tried to escape it was too late. They were driven back after an exciting encounter with hostile tribesmen. Nothing is yet known of their fate. They are obviously valuable hostages for. El Hiba to hold. On the other hand, if a jehad is being preached, the leaders might not bother themselves with such nice calc-ulations as flow from the safe keeping of hostages. Colonel Mangin's column, which is near Marakesh, is frequently engaged with the enemy, and appears to be strong enough to act as a holding force, but not strong enough to march on Marakesh. Thus El Hiba is a very promising sort of pretender. It is much to be able to capture the southern capital and maintain himself there. El Roghi, the other pretender, is said to be preaching a jehad in the North. Meanwhile it appears that the negotiations between France and Spain as,to their respective interests in Morocco are halting. The difficulty is the customs. The treaty, after all, is not likely to be signed for several weeks.
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