881.00/9–545: Telegram

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

254. We are not sure we have complete text Tangier agreements reached at Paris. Pending Dempster’s arrival with text we can make only preliminary comments as follows:

1.
Belgian, Netherlands and Portuguese colleagues consider it quite impossible for their Governments transmit within period allotted names of nationals to occupy administrative posts. For that and other reasons they feel it will be impossible follow time schedule outlined in Paris Embassy telegram 5237 August 31.
2.
Presumably funds advanced to provisional administration by State Bank of Morocco will be in francs. This raises question whether Tangier is to remain free exchange market or whether fixed dollar franc rate established in French Zone and other French controlled territory is to be imposed. The change from pesetas to francs as principal medium of exchange will in any case cause economic and financial disturbances of undetermined scope. If to these are to be added difficulties due to controlled franc rate we can expect great resentment on part of populace and unfavorable comparison between Spanish and international regime.
3.
Belgian, Portuguese and Netherlands representatives are particularly disturbed at proposal that French representative be first president Control Committee. They consider alphabetic rotation in effect in 1940 should be resumed, at which time Portuguese representative was president. If alphabetical rotation were followed presumably US or USSR representative would be first president or if they were to be passed over Belgian representative would be next in order. In any case Belgian colleague has telegraphed his Government urging that US representative be first president.
4.
It is view of aforementioned representatives that Mendoub should be no more under French control (which he will be in practice) in this International Zone than is Khalifa85 in Spanish Zone. They desire completely independent Mendoub and I believe will work toward that end in final settlement.
5.
I am surprised at extent of opposition on part of these representatives to France playing any greater part in International Zone than any other power.

Alling
  1. Representative of the Sultan in the Spanish Zone of Morocco.