Stopping a War/Chapter 1
STOPPING A WAR
1. Another War!
French workers faced a new war in April, 1925. To be sure, it was not a first class war, but merely a military struggle with a handful of Moroccan tribesmen. Still, it was war, and the international celebrations on May Day broke in upon the French preparations for the Riff campaign.
When Northern Africa was divided among the European empires, the homeland of the Riff tribesmen fell within the Spanish "Zone." The Spaniards are indifferent colonizers. The Riffians, who are sturdily independent, after some severe fighting administered a severe defeat to the Spanish troops.
Having won his struggle against his Spanish "neighbors" Abd-el-Krim was free, during the opening months of 1925, to turn his attention to the aggressive activities of the French forces under General Lyautey.