702.4181/9
The Consul General at Casablanca (Goold) to the Secretary of State
No. 333
Casablanca, July 20,
1940.
[Received August 5.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of
my letter of July 13th to the Honorable Maxwell Blake at Tangier
together with its enclosures concerning the matter of a proposed
protest to be made to the Protectorate Authorities with reference to
the dismissal of British Consuls from the ports of the Protectorate,
and Mr. Blake’s reply. The proposed protest was to be based on the
theory that the exequaturs
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of the Consuls were issued to them by the Sultan and countersigned
by the Resident General as the Sultan’s Foreign Minister—all in
accordance with the Protectorate treaty61—and that
consequently the action of the French Government in dismissing the
Consuls was illegal.
I do not know to what extent the Department is interested in the
maintenance of the fiction of the Protectorate in Morocco, but if it
is interested to any extent, here is undoubtedly an opportunity to
make a point which the French may, when peace treaty making time
comes, [have reason?] to be grateful for.
I have the honor to ask instructions.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure 1]
The Consul General at Casablanca
(Goold) to the Diplomatic
Agent and Consul General at Tangier (Blake)
Casablanca, July 13,
1940.
Sir: As you know there was some
question of our taking over British interests here, but you will
note from Mr. Hurst’s62 letter to me of yesterday
that the Consul at Marrakesh will continue to deal with the
affairs of the posts at Rabat and Casablanca.
I am enclosing copies of Mr. Hurst’s letter of the 12th together
with its enclosures63 for what it has to say of the manner in
which he was asked to leave the country, and to point out to you
that the action was taken without any reference to the Sultan.
You will notice from Mr. Morize’s64 note of the 8th of July that it was the French
Government which took the decision to invite British Consuls in
Ports to leave for England.
Under the Protectorate régime, I take it that there is no doubt
that this action was quite illegal and I send the papers to you
to learn whether you would have any objection to my joining with
my Belgian and other colleagues in bringing this matter to the
attention of the Protectorate Government, and making a protest,
or whether you would prefer to make the protest yourself, or
whether you would prefer to make a protest in addition to the
one which I make jointly with my colleagues.
Respectfully yours,
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[Subenclosure]
The British Consul General at Rabat
(Hurst) to the American
Consul General at Casablanca (Goold)
Sir and Dear Colleague: I acknowledge
with many thanks the receipt of your letter of yesterday
confirming your readiness to place official seals on British
Government property at Rabat, Casablanca, Mazagan and Saffi when
requested to do so and to make a written declaration concerning
the action taken in each place.
For your information I enclose a copy of the communication
addressed to me by the Residency-General, No. 321 of the 8th
July,65
regarding the closure of British Consular posts at ports in the
French Zone of Morocco and of my reply thereto, dated the 9th
July. You will notice that the letter of the Residency-General
speaks of the “French Government” only and makes no mention of
His Majesty the Sultan of Morocco and is, in this respect and
without prejudice to other irregularities, quite incorrect.
Mr. Parr, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul at Marrakesh, whose
functions (as those of Mr. F. H. Gamble, His Britannic Majesty’s
Consul at Fez) continue, will, as from the closure of the
British Consular posts at Rabat and Casablanca deal with British
communities and interests in those two Consular districts
also.
Believe me, Sir and Dear Colleague,
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure 2]
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at
Tangier (Blake) to the Consul
General at Casablanca (Goold)
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of July 13, 1940 (File No. 704/HSG/ib) and
enclosures relating the circumstances of the expulsion of
British Consular representatives from French Protectorate
ports.
I hesitate to advise your joining in the protest contemplated by
your Belgian colleague, although I deem this to be well founded.
I suggest, however, that, by air mail, you should bring the
matter to the attention of the Department, furnishing it with
copies of the
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complete
correspondence, and requesting instructions, by cable if the
Department considers it advisable, as to what action, if any,
you may be desired to take in the premises. Please send for our
files a copy of the Department’s reply.
Respectfully yours,
