File No. 594/17–19.
The Acting Secretary of
State to Minister Gummeré.
Department of State
Washington
,
February 6,
1908
.
No. 133.]
Sir: Supplementing the department’s instruction
of yesterday’s date,1 in
relation to the wish of the Gospel Union Mission to rent a [Page 639] house in the native quarter of
Mequinez, I have to inform you that the Rev. George S. Fisher, president
of the mission, who it appears returned from Morocco soon after the date
of his letter to the department of January 13, called at the department
to-day to urge that something be done toward securing the fulfillment of
the pledges given to you by the Sultan and the grand vizier in November,
1906.
I inclose for your further information copy of a letter to-day addressed
to Mr. Fisher.
The department feels an interest in this matter, as it necessarily must
in all cases where the promises of a friendly government are unfulfilled
and our requests for explanation and fulfillment are disregarded. You
will again address the Shereefian Government inquiring the nature of the
shereefian orders given to the basha in November, 1906, asking
explanation of their nonenforcement, and demanding assurances that they
will be carried out as soon as possible.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
The Acting Secretary of
State to Rev. George S.
Fisher.
Department of State
Washington
,
February 6,
1908
.
Sir: Referring to your conversation with
Mr. Adee this morning in regard to the delays and difficulties which
have attended the application of your union for permission for its
missionaries to rent a house in the native quarter of Mequinez, in
the interior of Morocco, I beg to send you copy of a letter written
to you, yesterday in answer to your letter of January 13 and mailed
to your address at Lurache in ignorance of your return to the United
States.
The files show that this matter has had during the past two years the
earnest attention of this department and of the legation at Tangier.
On the occasion of his visit to Fez in November, 1906, Minister
Gummeré secured the personal promise of the Sultan and the
assurances of the grand vizier that the desired permission should be
granted, and he subsequently procured a letter of the grand vizier
stating that His Majesty had issued a shereefian order to the basha
of Mequinez directing him “to be mindful of the said Americans and
to take care of their affairs and treat them with favor and not
place obstacles in the way of their renting a house in a part of the
town not objectionable, but, on the contrary, to assist them in the
same.” This letter was sent to your local agent at Mequinez and by
him delivered to the basha. The shereefian orders not having been
obeyed, Mr. Gummeré on several occasions in March and June last
wrote urgently to the grand vizier asking fulfillment of his solemn
engagement, but so far without result.
Notwithstanding the department’s opinion, expressed in my letter to
you of yesterday’s date, that the present is not an opportune time
to press for the fulfillment of the Sultan’s promise, I have
instructed Minister Gummeré to again address the shereefian
government, inquiring the nature of the shereefian orders given to
the basha in November, 1906, asking explanation of their
non-enforcement, and demanding assurance that they, shall be carried
out at the earliest possible moment.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
[Subinclosure.]
The Acting Secretary of
State to Rev. George S.
Fisher.
Department of State
Washington
,
February 5,
1908
.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 13th ultimo, inclosing copies of your
correspondence with the legation at Tangier regarding [Page 640] its negotiations for
permission for missionaries to rent a house in the native quarter of
Mequinez, and asking the department’s assistance in obtaining such
permission.
A determined rebellion, with serious disturbances, having recently
taken place in Moorish dominions, and it having been reported that
the inhabitants of Mequinez have asserted loyalty to Muley Hafid, it
will be recognized that the present is not an opportune time to
press for the fulfillment of the Sultan’s promise given in 1906 with
respect to the missionary matters in Mequinez.
You may rest assured, however, that the legation will not lose sight
of legitimate American missionary interests, and will, upon fitting
occasion, again take up the matter with the Moorish authorities.
I am, etc.,
