File No. 2151/299–300.
Minister Gummeré to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation
Tangier, December 7,
1908.
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram to
the department of this date, reporting that a reply to the collective
note of the powers presented to Mulai Hafid by the dean of the foreign
representatives at Tangier, has been received, in which all the
conditions of the said note have been accepted without reserve, with the
exception of a slight reservation as to the verification of the debts
owing by the Moorish Government to various persons.
I have the honor to report further that on the evening of the 5th
instant, a letter from the dean was circulated among the diplomatic
body, announcing that the reply of Mulai Hafid had been received, and
requesting that interpreters of the various legations should meet at the
Belgian Legation at 9 o’clock the next morning for the purpose of
translating the same, and calling for a meeting of the diplomatic body
at the said legation at 3 p.m., of the same day, for the purpose of
considering the said reply of Mulai Hafid. At that hour, accordingly,
the said meeting of the diplomatic body was held, and the
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letter of Mulai Hafid,
together with the official translation thereof, was submitted to them by
the dean. As reported to the department in my telegram, in his said
reply Mulai Hafid accepts all the terms of the collective note of the
powers, without reservation, except a slight one as to the verification
of certain debts. It was unanimously decided by the diplomatic
representatives that the said reservation was unimportant and that the
official translation of Mulai Hafid’s reply should be at once submitted
to their respective Governments for their consideration and action
thereon. I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of the said
official translation for the department’s consideration. The action of
the various Governments in the matter will be reported to the
department, and, as directed by the department, I will confer with the
dean as to the form and manner of the recognition of the new Sultan, by
the United States, in case the same is agreed upon by the powers,
reporting to the department by cable as to details.
I am, etc.,
[Translation.]
(Great seal of Mulai Abd el Hafid.)
Peace be to God alone. There is no might or strength but in God, the
very High and Great.
To the intelligent and wise friend who is seeking the good of the two
friendly and powerful Governments, the minister of the respected
Government of Belgium, dean of the honorable diplomatic corps at
Tangier (the well guarded), Count Conrad de Buisseret.
After offering to God who brings success to all plans the full praise
that is due him, we have received the letter by which you make known
the intentions of the friendly powers signatory to the act of the
conference of Algeciras as regards their hope that our Majesty,
installed by God, will signify to them our acceptance of the points
set forth in the said letter transmitted by you in behalf of all the
said powers.
We have perused the contents of the letter and taken good note of all
its indications expressed and implied. We have carefully examined
the points therein stated and have accepted them out of respect for
the agreement reached in that respect by the friendly powers. As to
the question of debts, it is important to draw the attention of the
powers to the necessity of verifying those debts and ascertaining
their foundation. International law does hold this Empire
responsible for those debts, but it is equally true that the
customs, laws, and statutes of this Empire demand that the
responsibility for those debts shall fall upon persons who had
divided the money and used it in their commercial undertakings. This
is as clear as the sun shining over the earth and needs no
demonstration.
Consequently we are in duty bound to accept the responsibility for
the above-mentioned debts just as it is our duty to proceed against
those from whom they must be reclaimed.
We hope the friendly powers will in no wise intervene in their
behalf, whatever may be the decisions reached by us. Investigation
of this matter shall be carried on with the same equity as is
expected of us in regard to their rights, for justice must take its
course. And so, after examination of the proof relative to the debts
due to individuals, after consideration of the circumstances under
which they were assumed, after ascertaining their origin, cause and
application in accordance with the principles established in such
cases, the Maghzen stands ready to discharge, with the help of God,
all such debts as shall be found to be valid under the law.
As for the military expenses of the two friendly powers, France and
Spain, when they make the amount known to us, all will go well, God
willing.
We are fully confident that all the friendly powers that have agreed
upon sending that note to our Majesty, after adopting the points
therein set forth,
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will
respect the provisions relative to our private and general interests
which the said powers have agreed to recognize by the act of the
conference.
Our sole object is to maintain public order and to place business on
a sound footing by averting in every equitable way all possible
causes of disturbance.
May you all remain in peace.
Done the 4th
Sacred Kode, 1326 (November 29,
1908).
