No. 29.
Mr. Mathews to Mr. Fish.
Consulate of the United States of America,
Tangier, August 24, 1874. (Received September
22.)
No. 142.]Sir: I have the honor to inform you that a
meeting of the foreign representatives took place at Tangier on the 21st
instant, to take into consideration the disturbed state of the province
of Tangier. The meeting was held at the residence of the Spanish
minister.
Attention was drawn to the state of anarchy, which for two months past
has existed in this province, the authority of the Pasha being
practically null outside the walls of the town of Tangier. It was
pointed out that the preservation of the public peace for any length of
time was most uncertain; that any untoward incident might at any moment
occur to disturb it.; that crimes and acts of violence had been
committed with impunity, and that it was notorious that the Pasha had no
force at his disposal to put down any insurrectionary movement that may
take place. Allusion was also made to the neighboring province of
Anjera, which is without governor, and is also far from being in a
satisfactory state.
It was unanimously decided that the time had come when some step should
be taken by the foreign representatives to bring the critical state of
the country to the notice of the Sultan’s government, and with this view
it was agreed that an identic note should be presented by each
representative to the Moorish minister for foreign affairs. The note,
was drawn up by Señor Patxot, the Spanish minister, and after undergoing
a few slight alterations, was accepted by all the representatives.
I have the honor to inclose herewith (inclosure 1) a translation of this
note, which, in concert with the other foreign representatives, I have
this day addressed to Cid Mohamed Bargash, and I hope it will meet with
your approval.
I have, &c.,
[Page 60]
[Inclosure in No.
142—Translation.]
Mr. Mathews to
the Moorish minister for foreign
affairs.
(After the usual compliments.)
The serious nature of the circumstances which are occurring in this
country, compels me to call your attention in a friendly manner to
the unsafe state in which this country has remained for some time
past. The Christian powers see with astonishment the repeated and
scandalous acts of violence by which the public tranquillity is
placed in jeopardy, and the impunity with which crimes and frequent
acts of violence are allowed to pass without the authorities of the
Sultan’s government applying an opportune remedy; a state of things
which gives grounds for suspecting a culpable apathy, for whose
consequences you will be responsible.
Further patience is impossible in view of the insurrection at present
existing in this province, and people are grieved to see that the
authorities do nothing to terminate this dangerous state of things,
which is a constant menace to the public peace.
It is necessary that an end be put immediately to this state of
things. I therefore request that you lose no time in bringing this
letter to the notice of His Sheriffian Majesty, in which I protest
against the state of anarchy in which this country is left; and I
request, in the name of my Government, that you apply a prompt
remedy to this deplorable state of things which no nation can any
longer see or accept with indifference. It is necessary that,
without any loss of time, you take measures to cause your
authorities to be respected and obeyed, aiding them for this purpose
with sufficient force and means, or else that you change them for
others who have the power to govern. And know that I render you
responsible for all harm and prejudice that may accrue to the
citizens or the interests of the nation which I have the honor to
represent. Thus you will avoid endless complications and preserve
the friendship and highest esteem of all the Christian powers, who
have full confidence in the wisdom of His Majesty the Sultan, that
he will find a remedy for this lamentable state of things with
promptitude and energy. Peace and friendship.
