681.003/216
The Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier (Blake)
Sir: The Department has received your despatch No. 2038 [1138] of March 6, 1936, with respect to the Dahir dated January 2, 1936, for the regulation of the importation of, and trade in, carpets and rugs in the French Zone of Morocco. The Department notes that you have addressed a communication to the Resident General pointing out that the Dahir in question is contrary to existing treaty provisions, and it approves your action.
The Department desires that you should address a second note to the Resident General, referring to your note of March 3, 1936, and stating that the Department of State has instructed you to express its surprise at the action of the Protectorate authorities in promulgating a decree so contrary to the spirit and letter of the existing treaties. You should add that the Department cannot recognize the validity of this Dahir since it clearly violates the principle of “economic liberty without any inequality” established by the Act of Algeciras by (1) prohibiting the importation of products legitimately entitled to entry into Morocco, and (2) imposing a discriminatory tax on the importation of certain other products into Morocco.
Very truly yours,