3 NOVEMBER 1906, Page 17

The news from Morocco is very curious. The bandits under

Boreian who are besieging Arzila suddenly found a new opponent, for Raisuli on Friday week left his stronghold with a large force for its relief, scattered the besiegers, and installed himself as Governor. Raisuli is the only authority in the country who can make any pretence at keeping order, and he is not a volunteer policeman for nothing. The town which he relieves will naturally have to pay for his services. The Makhzan, with Oriental fatalism, has looked on at the Arzila affair with equanimity ; but a belated request for help has at last been despatched to France and Spain, and on Sunday an armoured cruiser left Toulon for Moroccan waters, while Spain has given similar orders for the despatch-of a man-of-war. What precisely these vessels will do except demonstrate does not appear, for the next move rests with Raisuli. Meantime General Igautey is lying on the Algerian frontier with instructions to refrain from any offensive measures, but to repress instantly any violation of French territory. His presence seems to have had a quieting effect on the frontier, and for the moment the danger in that quarter is checked.