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Others have criticized. Indeed, Admiral de Magaz, Vice President of the Directory, said earlier in the year: "... None of us ignores the effect produced abroad by the prolonged continuation in office of the Military Directory." Professor de Unamuno and Señor Vicente Blasco Ibañez lost more sympathy for Spain than they gained by carrying on despicable propaganda. The fact remains that the Directory is firmly in its saddle and there is no likelihood of its being unhorsed. It has kept a firm hand on the reins; and its riding, if not superb, has at least been good (balanced budget, improved financial condition, order at home). The Spanish Nation must wait until the Directory dismounts; and, on the whole, seems content to do so. Even the Radicals have said: "Better the Directory than a Romanones Ministry." * Moroccan Foot. In the pristine pride of its advent to power, the Directory was firmly convinced that it could batter the turbulent Riffs into submission. Consequently, it handled the statesmen and politicians in cavalier fashion, refusing haughtily all offers of help. "We shall meet again in Morocco," was the grim retort of ex-Premier Count Romanones, the Liberal leader. Subsequent events thoroughly disillusioned General Rivera and his colleagues. The Riffs proved stronger than was supposed; but General Rivera is at least an able soldier and his strategy was masterful. For months, he worked out a plan; and then the world was startled by the announcement that the Spanish forces in Morocco had retired to the Anjera line. This line — a chain of trenches and fortified positions— had behind it all the important and most of the small zocos (markets). Along the coast, from Tetuán to Melilla, warships were posted; and, at the last place, the Spanish held another zone extending almost to the limit of Spanish Morocco near the Algerian frontier. A blockade had been declared.
Some months before, this Abd-el-Krim, leader of the Riffs and once a German agent, had conducted numerous pillaging expeditions in the Wergha Valley in French Morocco, which is the south side of the Spanish zone. The French countered by occupying the valley in force. The Spanish blockade drove the Riffs to depend more and more for supplies on their agents in French Morocco. This move was accompanied by inciting other Moroccan tribes to revolt against the French. France took action to protect the natives. Abd-el-Krim replied by declaring that the occupation by French troops of the upper Wergha Valley, which was under his control, constituted an unfriendly act, declared war. The French reply was given by Premier Painlevé in the Chamber of Deputies last week:
"So long as the Tricolor keeps its color, it will protect from violence and exaction peoples it has promised to protect."
War between the Riffs and France altered the situation. Conversation was begun in Madrid between the French and Spanish Governments, and, according to diplomatic advices, a combined attack by France and Spain is to be made with the object of defeating decisively Abd-el-Krim. More important, both countries pledged themselves not to make a separate peace.