File No. 2151/33–35.
The French Chargé to
the Acting Secretary of
State.
[Translation.]
French Embassy,
Newport, August 7,
1907.
Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor to
send you herewith a note which his excellency the minister of
foreign affairs of France has just instructed me to transmit
promptly to your excellency in order to acquaint the Federal
Government with the measures that have been adopted and were deemed
indispensable to insure the restoration of order and safety in
Morocco, in consequence of the unforeseen outbreak at
Casablanca.
I have the honor to inclose herewith a note verbale intended to bring
the particulars of these events to your excellency’s knowledge.
Be pleased, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Note delivered by the French Chargé to the Secretary
of State.
French Embassy,
Newport, August 7, 1907.
Events have forerun the measures determined upon by the
Government of the Republic in consequence of the recent outrages
committed at Casablanca, which measures were about to be made
known to the governments concerned.
The manifest inability of the Moorish Government to enforce
obedience from its subjects and to provide for the safety of
persons under foreign jurisdiction emphasizes more and more the
urgent necessity of organizing the police in the ports of
Morocco. It is a matter of the highest interest for the
maintenance and observance of the high authority of His
Shereefian Majesty. Imbued with these sentiments, the Government
of the Republic will carry out the measures
[Page 891]
it had resolved to resort to while
scrupulously respecting the integrity of Morocco and the
sovereignty of the Sultan. Public order and safety, freedom in
commercial operations will be guaranteed at Casablanca by
adequate forces. Exemplary punishment will be inflicted upon the
natives responsible for massacres and outrages of yesterday.
Concurrently with these operations a body of police for the city
and suburbs will immediately be organized in concert with the
Spanish Government.
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
Note verbale.
It was decided, on the 4th of August, with the consent of Mouley
Lamin and the Pacha that, owing to the disturbed conditions at
Casablanca, a landing party would occupy the consulate at a very
early hour the next morning.
On the 5th of August, at 5.30 in the morning, when our forces
appeared before the gate of the marine which was to be opened to
them, they were set upon by the inhabitants, among whom were
many regulars. Six of our men, including an officer, were
wounded. Mouley Lamin apologized for the treachery of the
soldiers and had them delivered in chains to the consulate of
France. The Galilee and Du Chayla immediately bombarded the town, sparing the
European houses. The consulate was occupied by our soldiers. Our
guns were then, upon the express request of Mouley Lamin, fired
at the tribes in the country which were threatening to enter the
town.
When these operations were over, the Du
Chayla landed troops, and, later, the Spanish gunboat
sent 30 men on shore, but took no part in firing.
