Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

881.00/8–2145

Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson) of a Telephone Conversation With Mr. Childs at the American Embassy at Paris

[Washington,] August 21, 1945.

In response to Mr. Henderson’s inquiry as to whether or not the Soviet Government had as yet agreed to the inclusion of Spain in the interim administration of the Tangier Zone, Mr. Childs replied that it had not; that this question is still a subject of discussion; and that it probably would be discussed again at the meeting on August 22.

Mr. Henderson then asked Mr. Childs whether the British had proposed at yesterday’s meeting that the 1923 Statutory regime be reinstated in the event that the Soviets refuse to include Spain. Mr. Childs replied that they had not done so and that this was the first time that he or Mr. Villard had heard of this proposal. Mr. Henderson then outlined to Mr. Childs the action which the British plan to take in this respect as he understood it from his conversation on August 19, 1945 with Mr. Middleton, Second Secretary of the British Embassy in Washington.

Mr. Henderson continued that he had discussed the British proposal with Mr. Dunn⁷² and that our attitude would be that if the British and French insist upon the reestablishment of the 1923 Statutory regime we would register no serious objections. We have pointed out to the British here, however, that if they are planning to fall back legalistically upon a 1923 Statutory regime for Tangier we do not see how Great Britain and France could, without the consent of the other signatories of the 1923 Statute, undertake to call an international conference in order to work out a permanent regime; assure us that we would be invited to participate in a temporary regime; or assure us satisfactorily that the temporary regime eventually would be replaced by a permanent regime. In this connection, the British here have indicated that they are suggesting that the British Government approach the other signatory powers of the 1923 Statute with a view to obtaining assurances from them which would enable the British and the French to give the undertakings which they propose to give. Mr. Henderson added that we ought to have more definite assurances on these points than we have received so far and that he thought this phase of the British proposal deserved special attention.

Mr. Childs stated that he and Mr. Villard felt that very satisfactory progress had been made in the conversations to date and that only the following four points remained for discussion at the meeting on August 22:

(1) The question of Spanish participation in the temporary regime;

(2) the stationing of war vessels at Tangier. (At this point Mr. Henderson interrupted to inform Mr. Childs that we had no objection to the stationing of war vessels there during the changeover, or in case peace is threatened, and that our telegraphic instruction on the subject had to do with a permanent patrol.)

(3) the question of the establishment of commercial wireless stations in the Zone; and

(4) the question of placing the Tangier regime within the framework of the United Nations Organization.

Mr. Childs said that Mr. Villard would like to know how strongly the Department feels on the question of the United Nations Organization, since it probably will be extremely difficult to obtain any concession on this point from the French beyond a possible reservation in our reply to the French invitation to participate in the interim regime. Mr. Henderson replied that the Department did not feel so strongly about this point at present and that our principal concern is to obtain some kind of assurance, as definite as possible, that there will be no obstacles placed in the way of terminating the temporary Tangier regime.

Mr. Henderson concluded by expressing the hope that the Soviets would change their minds regarding Spain’s participation in the interim administration and said that he thought we should make it clear that we are not working for the exclusion of Spain; that the British say they are adamant and will break up the conference, so to speak, before they will permit Spain’s exclusion; and that we shall acquiesce in a reversion by the British and French Governments to the 1923 Statutory regime, provided we receive assurances of the type mentioned previously.

72. James Clement Dunn, Assistant Secretary of State.