File No. 5719/7.
Minister Gummeré to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Tangier, March 25,
1907.
No. 185.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that Sid El
Hadj Mohamed Ben Arby Torres, the Sultan’s representative at Tangier,
having addressed [Page 880] two identical
letters to the foreign representatives, regarding relations about to be
instituted for the conduct of the guards in and about Tangier, a meeting
of the diplomatic corps was held, on the 22d day of March, under the
presidency of the dean of the corps, to consider the said letters. In
these letters, translation of which are herewith inclosed, the Sultan’s
delegate announces that in future any one committing disorder of any
kind will be arrested by the guards and taken before the Halifa of the
Basha, who will thereupon send them, if Moors, to the Basha, and if
foreigners to their representative consulates to be judged. The foreign
representatives having agreed that any such authorization as to arrest
and conduct of foreigners to the Halifa was a dangerous precedent and
contrary to treaty rights, decided that a collective letter should be
written, in the name of the diplomatic corps, by the dean of the corps,
and sent to Sid El Hadj Mohamed Ben Arby Torres, the Sultan’s
representative, acknowledging the receipt of the said letters, and
informing him that, while they appreciated the efforts made by the
Moorish government to maintain order in and about Tangier, pending the
installation of the new police, they could not admit that their citizens
or proteges should be arrested and taken before the Halifa of the Basha,
as proposed, as such action was contrary to the convention of Madrid and
treaty rights, which maintained that all foreign citizens or proteges
should be brought immediately to their respective consular jurisdiction.
The said letter was accordingly written and despatched to the Sultan’s
delegate.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Gummeré.
After compliments:
We beg to inform Your Excellency that the governor of this town has
issued strict orders prohibiting firing of guns by civilians outside
or inside the town from sunset to sunrise, owing to the trouble
caused to the guard posts surrounding the town. This order applies
to all kind of shooting as well as to the acts of festivities, etc.,
and he who will fire during said prohibited time shall be seized and
taken to prison by the guards. We therefore request Your Excellency
to warn those under your jurisdiction to stop shooting during the
night in order that no harm shall happen to them.
In peace.
Moharram 25, 1325 (March
10, 1907).
(Signed)
Mohamed Ben Arby
Torres.
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Gummeré.
After compliments:
In view of the important efforts being made by the Maghzen to render
the functions of the guards regular and in accordance with the rules
leading to complete security (inspire confidence) a Shereefian order
has been issued to us and to the Vizier Sid Mohamed El Geb-bas (war
minister) to be very particular in this matter. The object desired
in establishing said guards in and outside of Tangier can only be
obtained by giving full attention to those disturbing order or
quarreling in any way, so that he who disturbs or commits disorder
will be arrested by these guards and taken before the Halifa of the
[Page 881] Basha, whose
headquarters are in the outer sok, and this Halifa will deliver the
prisoner to the competent authority. If the arrested person is a
Moorish subject he will be sent to the governor, but if the prisoner
turns to be a foreigner he will be delivered to his consul.
Further attributions attached to said guards are to disarm those
carrying arms on entering or leaving the town and to stop the
handling of any kind of arms, with the exceptions of sportsmen, who
will have to show his sporting gun to the guards, and they will be
permitted to enter with it, until the reglements under consideration
are made known; we therefore inform your excellency, as well as have
informed the friendly representatives, that you may be aware of the
same and give us your assistance in this matter.
In peace.
Moharram 29, 1325 (March 14,
1907).
(Signed)
Mohamed Ben Larby
Torres.
