881.00/6–145
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State ( Grew ) to President Truman
Subject: Future Status of the International Zone of Tangier.
As you may recall, the Spanish Government in September, 1940 illegally moved troops into the International Zone of Tangier, Morocco and the Spanish Military Commander took control of the Zone from the International Administration. That Administration had been set up by the Tangier Convention of 1923, amended in 1928, to which we are not a party, though we had been invited to participate. One of the reasons for which we declined to participate was that we considered the part assigned to us not to be commensurate with our position and interests. As a result the administration of the Zone was largely in the hands of the French and Spanish, and to a less degree in those of the British, Italians and other European signatories.
Our long continued interest in Morocco is indicated by the numerous treaties we have signed concerning that country, dating as far back [Page 610] as 1787,18 and including the Cape Spartel Agreement of 1865,19 the Madrid Convention of 188020 and the Act of Algeciras of 1906.21
The town of Tangier and the small district around it making up the International Zone was of importance during the war because Spain permitted Germany to reestablish a Consulate General there, and the entire Zone became an advance Axis espionage outpost against United Nations military traffic through the Straits of Gibraltar.22
Recently we have been having preliminary discussions with the British Government as to the advisability of inviting the Spanish Government to terminate in the near future its illegal occupation of the Zone. The French Government is in accord with the idea that the Spanish occupation should be ended as soon as possible. Our information indicates that the Spanish will be prepared to comply with such a request from the three powers.
The American and British representatives at Tangier consider that at the time of the withdrawal of the Spanish forces, the Zone should be temporarily occupied by a small mixed force of perhaps 1000 men made up of American, British and French troops with a Spanish contingent. The British have proposed and we would be prepared to accept a Spanish contingent because of Spain’s predominant position of long standing both as regards population and economic interests. It is suggested by the British and American representatives at Tangier that this force be commanded by an American or British officer, who would act as Military Governor of the Zone pending the calling of a conference of the interested powers to establish a new international regime which would avoid the defects of the 1923 Convention. The British express the hope that the United States will associate itself actively both in the interim administration and in the subsequent permanent international regime.
The French have made a preliminary suggestion that they occupy the Zone with forces of the Sultan of Morocco, which are under French command, and that this occupation be supported by a showing of British and American warships. Both the British and French have asked for a meeting with American representatives in London or Paris as soon as possible to agree upon a course of action. We feel that such a meeting would be desirable, preferably in London, and we are [Page 611] prepared to direct our representative at Tangier to proceed to London for that purpose. This matter has been considered by the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee, which went on record on March 16, 194523 favoring the withdrawal of the Spanish forces and the replacement of the illegal Spanish administration by an interim body made up of representatives of the participating powers. This committee also felt that it would be desirable for the United States to take part in the reestablishment of the International Zone of Tangier and the interim administration thereof.
We are inclined to favor the proposals of the American and British representatives at Tangier, which if carried into effect would require the following steps:
- (1)
- Discussions with the British and French Governments, preferably in London.
- (2)
- A simultaneous approach to the Spanish Government with a request for the termination of its illegal occupation of the Zone.
- (3)
- The entrance of the mixed military force described above under the command of an American or British officer.
- (4)
- The other powers interested in the Zone, which are Italy, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden, would be informed of the action to be taken and given assurances that their interests would be fully protected. The U.S.S.R. would also be kept informed.
- (5)
- These powers would be informed that it was the intention to call an international conference as soon as practicable to establish a new international regime.
- (6)
- The military authorities would administer the Zone, consulting the local consular representatives of the four powers concerned but the military authorities would be wholly responsible for the decisions taken.
- (7)
- To the extent desirable, the military authorities would apply the laws of the former international regime, void the laws promulgated during the illegal Spanish occupation and issue military decrees and such supplemental laws as might be required.
I should be appreciative if you would indicate whether you approve proceeding with discussions with the British and French with a view to reaching agreement for action along the lines indicated above.24
- Treaty of peace and friendship, signed June 28, 1787, Malloy, Treaties, etc., 1776–1900, vol. i, p. 1206.↩
- Signed at Tangier, May 31, 1865, ibid., p. 1217. For documentation regarding the Agreement, see Foreign Relations, 1864, pt. iv, pp. 412 ff., and ibid., 1865, pt. iii, pp. 351 ff.↩
- Signed at Madrid, July 3, 1880, ibid., 1880, p. 917.↩
- Signed at Algeciras, April 7, 1906, ibid, 1906, pt. 2, p. 1495. For documentation regarding the Act, see ibid., 1905, pp. 668 ff., and ibid., 1906, pt. 2, pp. 1470 ff.↩
- For documentation relating to the closing of the German Consulate in Tangier and the expulsion of Axis agents from the International Zone, see ibid., 1944, vol. v, pp. 539 ff.↩
- Memorandum for the Secretary of State, March 16, 1945, not printed.↩
- This memorandum was approved by President Truman.↩