881.512/80
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Laughlin)
Sir: Reference is made to your despatch No. 47, of February 19, 1930, with which you enclosed a copy, in translation, of a note, dated February 11, 1930, from the Secretary General of Foreign Affairs52 in which request was made that certain Dahirs be applied to American citizens and protégés in the Spanish Zone of Morocco.
You will please advise the appropriate Spanish authorities that this Government cannot admit the application of the Dahirs in question until after this Government has accorded its recognition of the Spanish [Page 620] Zone, such recognition being contingent upon a proper and equitable settlement of American claims in that region which forms the subject of an instruction going forward to you today.53 You should point out at the same time that any application of the Dahirs in question to American nationals and protégés would be in derogation of this Government’s rights in the Spanish Zone.
Very truly yours,