881.00/1799: Telegram

The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier (White) to the Secretary of State

85. My telegrams 8228 and 83. Both submarines left port last night. This morning the non-Spanish departmental heads of the International Administration received definite notice to quit though some were requested to remain a few days more for the purpose of a less disorderly transfer to Spaniards. As administrator Dr. Amieva has been replaced by his compatriot Colonel Gregori. A number of police from the Spanish Zone have arrived to take the places of employees of this branch who are neither Moors nor Spaniards.

I am not informed as to when the Spanish Government realized that the harboring of the submarines was a greater annoyance to the British than its violations of the Statute of Tangier. I should be surprised if it were not quite satisfied to be rid of this Italian incubus and it felt that this riddance had earned it enough merit with the British to warrant further annexationist measures.

White
  1. Not printed.