Arab Spring in Fez one hundred years ago?

Today, one hundred years ago the following story appeared in the news.

A letter received from Mequinez dated May 3 announces that the troops of Mulay Zin, the newly proclaimed Sultan, have advanced from that town and have attacked Fez. After a long and fierce engagement the rebel forces were obliged to retire. They left over one hundred dead and many wounded on the field. Fez has for it's defence against the besieging tribes and the revolutionary elements in the city itself neither ammunition, money, nor troops in a condition to fight. The French business houses in Fez had to owns the Sultan Francs 150,000 a few days ago to pay the troops.

Incendiary manifestos are in circulation and have given fresh life to the revolutionary movement.