881.512/26
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at
Tangier (Denning) to the Secretary of State
Tangier, March 23,
1923.
[Received April 10.]
No. 117
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith
translation of a communication recently received at this Agency from the
Spanish High Commissioner at Tetuan, and to report briefly in this
regard.
[Page 586]
Some days ago, the agent in Tetuan of one of our Protégés for Signal
Services Rendered, Mr. David S. Bergel, complained of the fact that the
Spanish Customs Authorities at Rio Martin, the port of Tetuan, refused
to release a certain quantity of sugar which Mr. Bergel was importing
from the United States, unless a 10 per cent consumption tax was paid,
to the application of which tax to its ressortissants the United States has never even been requested
to give its consent, so far as this Agency is aware.
Since the United States has not recognized the so-called Spanish Zone of
Influence in Morocco, this Agency did not consider it proper to
communicate directly with the Spanish High Commissioner at Tetuan, in
order to protest against the action of the Spanish Customs Authorities
mentioned above and to request that the shipment of American sugar to
our Protégé, Mr. Bergel, be released to him. …
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Spanish High Commissioner at Tetuan
(Silvela) to the American
Diplomatic Agent and Consul General (Denning)
Excellency: By “Dahir” published in the
“Official Bulletin” of July 10, 1922, a tax upon the consumption of
Sugar, Tea and Coffee, having been put into force in the Zone of the
Spanish Protectorate in Morocco, and the Government of His Majesty,
feeling assured that the Government of the United States, with whom
Spain is united by such friendly relations, will not raise obstacles
in the way of whatever reforms are deemed necessary by Spain,
entertains the hope that in this particular matter, the Diplomatic
Representative of the Government of Washington in Tangier, will
kindly give his assent to the application of the taxation in
question, and will issue instructions to American citizens and
protégés to submit to the dispositions concerning the payment
thereof; and for which this High Commission, in the name of the
Madrid Government, begs to express its acknowledgment, in
anticipation.
I further esteem that the channel employed to obtain the assent of
the Government of the United States will be sufficient under the
circumstances, but if it should not be so, the Madrid Government is
prepared to address itself directly to Washington.
I avail myself [etc.]
