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A month ago, facing the collapse of their power. Karaouine's hidebound ulemas publicly protested that the King's "modern education" was spreading "license, debauchery and degeneracy." Karaouine's new French-educated director, Attorney Kacem Abdeljalil, refused to give way. So did King Mohammed. Last week, the white-gowned ulemas abandoned plans to boycott the anniversary ceremonies, glumly turned out to hear Mohammed extol the university's "renaissance." After centuries of slumber, Karaouine now has a fair chance of once more becoming the intellectual Mecca of northwest Africa.