381.1153/2
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier (Blake) to the French Resident General in Morocco (Noguès)68
Mr. Resident General: I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that I did not fail to bring to the attention of my Government, the request contained in your unnumbered Note of August 31, 1939,68a that consideration be given, in the present circumstances, to the possibility of extending to American nationals and ressortissants in the French Zone of Morocco, the decree issued in that Zone, in respect of the requisition of draft animals, and vehicles both animal hauled or automotive.
In compliance with directions of the Department of State in reference to the above, I would respectfully point out to Your Excellency that my Government’s acquiescence in the application of the measures in question to American ressortissants under its jurisdiction in Morocco, would in fact, place the latter under constraint to contribute their assistance to one of the parties engaged in the present military conflict in Europe, a condition of affairs which would be incompatible with the proclamation of American neutrality issued by the President of the United States.69
My Government is consequently not in a position to give unreserved approval to the enforcement upon American ressortissants of the requisition decrees.
However, in view of my examination of the situation and my conclusion that present circumstances may promote internal needs of French Morocco itself, my Government would not be inclined to raise objection to a resort to the requisition of American property of the character referred to, subject to the proper safeguard of the American interest concerned, and providing the requisitioned vehicles or animals are to be utilized strictly within the limits, and exclusively in the interests of the French Zone of the Protectorate of Morocco. This concession shall be valid only for the duration of the crisis, and the termination of these exceptional measures shall be a matter for the decision of the Secretary of State.
A practical application of the principles above set forth will require co-operation between the French requisitioning Authorities, and the [Page 688] American Consul General at Casablanca, whose consent in all cases will be essential.
The application of this arrangement will be further subject to the following conditions:
- 1.
- Assurances and guarantees to be given against prejudice resulting from these measures to the legitimate activities of American nationals and protégés upon resumption of a normal situation in the French Zone.
- 2.
- Any vehicle requisitioned to be paid for immediately at a fair price, and the original owner to have option of repurchase if his vehicle is sold.
- 3.
- If great prejudice were occasioned to an American enterprise, or if the enterprise were stopped, or individuals deprived of their livelihood, as a result of requisition, the latter would not be authorized.
- 4.
- There shall be no discrimination of nationality in regard to the release of requisitioned vehicles or animals, or in regard to relaxation of the requisition measures.
Please accept [etc.]
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Diplomatic Agent at Tangier in his despatch No. 1493, September 21; received October 13.↩
- Not printed; but see telegram No. 21, September 11, 3 p.m., from the Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier, p. 684.↩
- September 5, 1939, Department of State Bulletin, September 9, 1939, p. 203, or 54 Stat. 2629.↩