Office of the Historian

File No. 2151/58.

Minister Gummeré to the Secretary of State.

[Extract.]
American Legation,
Tangier, August 24, 1907.

Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram to the department of August 24th, as follows:a

In explanation of the same I have the honor to report that this morning a boat arrived at Tangier from Mazagan, laden with refugees [Page 895] from that town, and carrying letters to the various legations here from their consuls at that town and Sam. The news of the proclamation of Mouley Hand, the Sultan’s uncle and viceroy at Morocco City, as Sultan, and his acceptance of the same, was at once announced. I have just seen the Spanish minister, who has very kindly shown me the letters he has received from his consuls at Sam and Mazagan, both of whom announce officially that, on the 16th instant Mouley Hafid was proclaimed Sultan at Morocco City by the notables and ulemas, or chiefs of the mosques, as well as by the tribesmen and people, and that, after some reluctance, he has accepted the same and at once constituted his government, having appointed Sid Ben Kebor, grand vizier; Sid Bubker Gendafi, minister of war; and Sid Tazzi, as minister of finance. The Spanish consul at Sam reports further that, after some hesitation, the governor of that town has accepted the new Sultan, and the same is expected at Mazagan. It is also reported that the surrounding tribes in southern Morocco have received the news of the proclamation with enthusiasm. It remains to be seen how this news will be received in the more northern part of the Empire, especially at Fez, where the Sultan and his court are.

Latest advices from the coast towns report all quiet, but there has been a great exodus of both Christians and Jews from Mazagan, where the tribes are threatening. Reports from Alcazar are to the effect-that the Sultan’s forces were not so badly repulsed as first stated, and considerable reinforcements, some 1,000 men, from the Tangier garrison, have been sent to them. Tangier remains quiet, and the neighboring people come to the markets as usual.

I am, etc.,

S. R. Gummeré.
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