881.00/8–1445: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Caffery ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15—5:02 a.m.]
4921. From Villard. At today’s session Soviet delegation proposed following text for adoption.
“The Conference examined the question of the control of the coast of the International Zone of Tangier and has agreed to recommendation the Govts. taking part in the Conference the following provisions: [Page 632]
- “1. The Govts of the USSR, USA, Great Britain and France designate, respectively, for stationing a light war vessel not exceeding the size of a destroyer to assume a permanent service of control in the Tangier Zone.
- 2. The direction of the service of control of the coast of the International Zone of Tangier is assumed by a commanding superior naval officer whose functions are accomplished in rotation by the naval officers of the above-mentioned powers.”
Soviet delegation stated that their proposal was intended to apply to the provisional regime but they expressed hope that at the final conference a similar arrangement could be adopted on a permanent basis. The project was taken under advisement by the conferees.
Although the British have indicated to us their intention to oppose the Soviet proposal we do not see how we could appropriately object to the stationing of naval vessels, provided this is based on the principle of rotation among the Four Powers designated and related at this time only to the interim regime. Department’s instructions are requested.
Sent Dept 4921, repeated Madrid 315; London 589; Moscow 270; Tangier 33. [Villard.]