Chief Puts Himself, Family and Property Under Their Protection.
WILL BE TAKEN TO TAZA TO AWAIT INSTRUCTIONS
Capitulation Follows Setbacks on All Sides and Desertions by His Followers.
By the Associated Press.
FEZ. French Morocco. May 26.—It was officially announced this afternoon that Abd-el-Krim. the Riffian chief, was coming into the French lines.
Krlm will be taken to Taza, where the instructions of the French resident general, Jules Steeg, are awaited. Krim, it is announced, puts himself, his family and property under the protection of France.
Prior to notifying the French of his surrender, Abd-el-Krim returned all the French, Spanish and native prisoners who had been held In the Riff.
Half of Riff Occupied
French army headquarters announced today that the Franco-Spanish allies now occupy half of the Riff country.
The attitude of the tribesmen in the other half of the district, inhabited principally by Djebalas and Ghomarras, is doubtful. They were reported last week to have refused the appeal of Krim for aid. It is considered possible, however, that they may resist on their own account, and, in view of the wild, mountainous country they inhabit, their subjugation would be long, difficult and costly.
Consequently, it is said that the best of the political officers among the French will he intrusted with the task of convincing these tribesmen that their best interests lie in submitting to the French.
Must Go Into Exile
Krim to Be Treated “Generously But Prudently,” Say French.
PARIS. May 26 (AP).—Abd-el-Krim will be treated “with generosity but with prudence,” a foreign office spokesman declared on receiving the news today of the Riffian chieftain’s surrender.
It was apparent on the basis of the news from Fez, he said, that Abd-el-Krim, deeming further fighting useless, decided to accept the terms laid down by the French and Spanish delegates at the recent Oujda peace conference, including his exile from the Riff.
“That Is an elementary precaution,” the foreign office spokesman concluded.
The Evening Star, Washington, DC, May 26, 1926