File No. 7431/1.

Minister Gummeré to the Secretary of State.

Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram to the department of July 3, 1907, as follows:a

In confirmation of the said telegram I would report as follows: Some five weeks ago Kaid Sir Harry Maclean, an English officer who has been for many years in the Sultan’s service, and that of his [Page 877] father before him, left Tangier, where he had been for some time, with the minister of war, for El Kzar, a town some two days from Tangier, and where he entered into negotiations with the celebrated Raisuli with regard to the latter’s submission and ultimate pardon. He had several interviews with Raisuli, but it was reported that his demands were absurd, including as they did the rebuilding of his village of Zeenat, which had been destroyed, and his reestablishment in his governorship, from which he had just been deposed. Kaid Maclean proceeded to the Court at Fez and reported the terms demanded by Raisuli, and immediately orders were dispatched by the Sultan to the minister of war, to proceed against Raisuli with all the force he could procure and take him at all costs. When Raisuli heard of these orders he sent a courier to Kaid Maclean at Fez to say that he withdrew all his demands and would proceed to Fez at once to obtain the pardon, which had been promised to him without condition on his part. Orders were at once sent to the minister of war not to proceed against him, and Kaid Maclean was sent down from Fez to El Kzar to conclude negotiations and dispatch Raisuli to Fez. When he reached there he had several interviews with Raisuli and apparently everything was satisfactorily concluded. It appears, however, that some relative of Raisuli, who was at Fez, sent him word not to trust the Government’s promises, as treachery was intended toward him, whereupon Raisuli sent word to Kaid Maclean that he was all ready to proceed to Fez and wished a final interview with him, to which Maclean assented, and proceeded to the designated place. After a seemingly satisfactory meeting, Raisuli gave him a pressing invitation to go with him to his camp and see his preparations for departure, which Maclean accepted, sending word to the commander of the troops at El Kzar of his so doing; after proceeding some distance, when going through a narrow gorge, they were surrounded by a large body of armed men and Raisuli informed Maclean that he was his prisoner and took him to his camp in the mountains, some little distance from the place where he had held Mr. Perdicaris. Kaid Maclean was permitted to send a messenger to El Kzar announcing his capture. On the morning of July 2 I received a letter from Sid Thamy Slawe, American protégé, who lives at El Kzar, in whom I have great confidence, informing me of the visit of Maclean to Raisuli’s camp and stating that the place was much excited over it and feared treachery on the part of Raisuli. The next day, July 3, a courier to the minister of war arrived announcing Kaid Maclean’s capture, and when I heard of it, as he is British subject, I at once sent to the British minister, Sir Gerard Lowther, to ask if it were true, and received a message from him confirming the report, and I then telegraphed to the department. Since that I have learned the details, as reported above, which I believe to be true. It is reported that Raisuli’s demands before liberating Kaid Maclean are as follows:

1.
The rebuilding of his house and village at Zeenat.
2.
The governorship of the Fahs district and the environs of Tangier (his former governorship) from which he was deposed at the demand of the foreign representatives.
3.
One hundred thousand dollars.
4.
The withdrawal of the troops and of the minister of war from Tangier.

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The department will see that these terms are very similar to those demanded by and granted to Raisuli for the liberation of Mr. Perdicaris, viz:

1.
The government of the Fahs district and environs of Tangier.
2.
The dismissal of the governor of Tangier.
3.
The withdrawal of the troops from Tangier.
4.
One hundred thousand dollars.

It is very much to be regretted that the measures for the capture of Raisuli were not more energetically carried out, as it is difficult to see what the capture of Kaid Maclean may lead to. The effect upon the Moors will be very bad. I do not see how it would be possible to permit Raisuli to assume the governorship of this province again; certainly none of the Christian population would be safe, especially if the troops were withdrawn; the long-talked-of police still seem to be in the far distance. I shall also await with interest the action which will doubtless be taken in the matter by some of the powers. Further details will be reported to the department when obtained.

I am, etc.,

S. R. Gummeré.
  1. Not printed.