The news from Spain is satisfactory as regards the domestic
situation, but rather mystifying as to the war in Morocco. There have been no further disturbances in Catalonia. But in Morocco it is evident that the troops have been forced to delay their advance, and are acting on the defensive. Melilla, Alhucemas, and Peiion de Velez de la Gomera have all been attacked. The people of Alhucemas have taken particular pains to preserve their water-supply, which the Moors were trying to cut off. Of course in the last resort water could be supplied by ships. The best Spanish artillery is naturally at Melilla, and here it is possible to search the hills with the guns within a radius of five miles. As Melilla, has an easily defensible position= its promontory, one looks elsewhere for the more important movements of the Riffs. The hottest attack has been made on Peiion de Velez de la. Gomera, which during Tuesday and Wednesday was under almost continuous fire. The Moors were using artillery, but it is not known what was the character of the guns. Telegraphing on Wed- nesday, Reuter's correspondent said that one of the positions held by the enemy's riflemen enfiladed the town. The whole Madrid division has been ordered to the seat of war, and we are glad to learn that young Spaniards of well-known families are volunteering for service.
