NEWS OF THE WEEK.
DITRING the earlier part of the week the news from Madrid indicated that the Spanish troops were about to make an attack in force on the positions held by the Riffs. Since then, however, the censorship has been drawn very tight, and little direct information has come through. Friday's telegrams suggest that the attack had already begun, for the Times correspondent tells us that the Prime Minister said, in answer to a journalist, "There is no news. We are all anxiously awaiting some." When Ministers use language of that kind it generally means that a battle is beginning. It is sincerely to be hoped that the Spanish armies will suffer no reverse. We cannot disguise from ourselves, however, that they have to fight some of the bravest and most fanatical men on the African Continent. A Reuter telegram from Tangier published in Friday's papers tells us that the Commission sent by the present Emperor of Morocco to the Riff tribes arrived there on Wednesday. "It is not yet known what route the Commission will take to the Riff country. The Commissioners will rest here for a few days before proceeding on their journey." That is very characteristic. The Com- missioners are no doubt waiting to see which way the cat jumps at Melilla. Their policy will be shaped according as the Spaniards or the tribesmen are successful.
