481.11/147
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at
Tangier (Blake) to the Secretary of State
No. 1508
Tangier, November 24, 1939.
[Received
December 27.]
Sir: For the purposes of record in the
matter of American claims, I have the honor to forward herewith copy
of a letter from Mr. Goold reporting conversation with Mr. Broustra
of the Diplomatic Cabinet on the subject of American claims in the
French Zone. As was to be expected, the Protectorate authorities
have no intention of doing anything to settle these claims until
there is a resumption of the general treaty negotiations, probably
pending the conclusion of the war.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure]
The Consul General at Casablanca
(Goold) to the Diplomatic
Agent and Consul General at Tangier (Blake)
Casablanca, November 20,
1939.
Sir: I saw M. Broustra for a few
minutes at Rabat on Saturday on the occasion of the ceremony of
the Sultan’s accession to the throne. I brought up the matter of
the procès verbal to be drawn up relative
to the sessions held in Rabat last June on the subject of the
claims. M. Broustra assured me that you would have it soon. He
stated that everything in the matter of claims had been delayed
because it had not been possible to make an offer in the El
Yacoubi case, and because of the pressure of work following the
outbreak of hostilities. I urged upon him the advisability of
continuing the study and investigation of the El Yacoubi claim
with a view to including it in the offer eventually to be made
to you. He very politely said that he would see that that was
done.
I next asked whether he had received any reply to his inquiry at
Paris as to whether the settlement of the claims might be
proceeded with independently of treaty negotiations. But I
cannot say that I received a reply to this inquiry. He had a
great deal to say about how completely the coming of the war had
changed everything, and made it impossible to carry on what they
had previously in mind, but I got no categorical answer as to
whether he had received a reply or not. I take it that he had
not, and I gather that it is somewhat doubtful whether he had
even asked instructions on the point. I take it that there is
very little disposition to proceed with a settlement of the
claims independently of the treaty negotiations.
[Page 684]
Mr. Khazen reports, however, that Shereef El Yacoubi has been
approached by certain people said to be close to the authorities
in Meknes relative to bringing about the settlement of his
claim. It may be the official desire to reach a private
settlement with him, and then to have M. Broustra make you an
offer covering the rest. Mr. Khazen also reports that M.
Coriat62 has been confidentially
informed that the Post Office has been ordered to proceed to the
condemnation of his property, and has been advised to let the
postal authorities know that he is disposed to settle.
Respectfully yours,
