On Tuesday the French Prime Minister, M. Painleve, suddenly left
Paris for Morocco. This is a sign that he takes a very serious view of the War. He may also have been tempted by the attractive prospect of being able in future to say to his critics in Parliament that he has seen things for himself and that they have not. Although We have no doubt that the French can hold Abdel Krim back, and that they would even be able to follow him up and crush him if they put forth the necessary effort, the strain and expense will be considerable. For Abdel Krim is more and more showing his ability and resourcefulness. Unfortunately some of the tribes north of Fez which had hitherto been loyal to the.French have been inclined lately to help the enemy. The Morocco correspondent of the Times says that the Rifians display amazing bravery and powers of endurance. On scant rations they fight inces- santly without ever seeming to be tired. They also know their country perfectly, and have a Boer-like capacity for vanishing and turning up in quite unexpected places. Abdel Krim, according to this correspondent, has boasted that he means to be in Fez within three weeks. Fez, how- ever, remains unmoved. The correspondent thinks that although there are Europeans fighting for the Rifians, none of them is helping to direct the operations. Abdel Krim himself seems to be the master mind.
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