781.001/311
The Secretary of State to the Chargé at Tangier (Elbrick)
The Secretary of State has received Mr. Russell’s despatch no. 1281 of February 7, 1944,13 a copy of which was sent to the Legation in Tangier, making certain suggestions for the safeguarding of the American treaty position in French Morocco.
The Legation is authorized in its discretion to inform the French Resident General that the war time restrictions which have been introduced in French Morocco as a result of joint action by the American and French authorities in North Africa are recognized as applicable to American ressortissants with the understanding that they are war time measures which are applicable only for the duration of the present emergency and are not to be interpreted as in any way prejudicing American treaty rights in Morocco or as in the nature of a precedent.
The action to be taken in the case of other restrictions referred to in Mr. Russell’s despatch under reference, relating to the requisitioning of the olive crop, has already been the subject of a telegraphic instruction from the Department, no. 27 of February 26, 6 p.m., to the Legation.
A copy of this instruction is being sent to the Officer in Charge of the Mission at Algiers and to the Consuls General at Rabat and Casablanca.
- Not printed.↩