File No. 881.00/4831½.
The French Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Washington, November 3, 1911.
Mr. Secretary of State: As a result of the disturbances that have taken place in Morocco and demonstrated the necessity of there pursuing, in the interest of all, the undertaking of pacification and progress contemplated by the act of Algeciras, the Government of the French Republic had to take, recently, various measures, the main ones of which have been brought to your excellency’s knowledge, either orally or in writing. All aimed at maintaining order and the normal development, on a footing of perfect equality, of the economic interests of the powers concerned.
Pourparlers to the same end were recently entered into by the Government of the Republic and the Imperial German Government. It was agreed from the beginning that the arrangements that might come out of those pourparlers should immediately be submitted to the adhesion of the powers interested.
By order of my Government I have the honor to inform your excellency that the agreement1 sought has just been concluded, and I inclose its text.
As you will notice, the agreement is intended to facilitate for France the execution of the task of pacification and reorganization, which circumstances place it particularly in her power to prosecute.
The freedom of trade provided by the treaties shall, under the terms of the agreement, be firmly maintained and my Government has bound itself not to connive at any inequality either in the assessment of customs, duties, imposts, or other taxes or in the drawing up of tariffs of railways or any other transportation. France will likewise use her interest with the Moroccan Government to prevent any differential treatment of the citizens or subjects of the powers, and notably to secure for them participation on equally favorable conditions in proposals for contracts and supplies of materials.
Knowing that the Government of the United States seeks nothing more in Morocco than the development of the economic interests of its citizens, as has always been proclaimed by the highest authorities of this country, as your excellency was pleased yourself to remark to me repeatedly, my Government fondly cherishes the hope that the arrangement of which the text is inclosed, and which affords the [Page 622] most ample guaranties as regards the said interests, will gain the Federal Government’s adhesion. It would attach most special value to receiving such an assurance and obtaining from this country, to which it is bound by ties of friendship, a token of good will, the value of which would be further enhanced if your excellency, to whom I venture to appeal, would kindly let me have an answer as soon as possible.
Be pleased, etc.,
- Not printed.↩