881.00/9–2545: Telegram
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier ( Alling ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 25—3:21 p.m.]
278. Control Committee held first meeting this morning attended by British French Spanish Portuguese Belgian and United States representatives with Netherlands representative attending as observer, and agreed various temporary appointments of officials proposed by Acting Administrator to take over from Spanish. Spanish representative made formal reservation Spanish rights under Statute 1923 but apparently this was only for the record since otherwise he seemed disposed cooperate fully. He proposed temporary officials begin at once contact Spanish authorities so as gradually take over functions. He gave assurances Spain would continue supply provisions.
Communiqué was issued in usual official form recording time of meeting “in cordial atmosphere” etc. At suggestion Spanish representative original draft of communiqué prepared by French was amended include sentence welcoming presence American representative first time in Control Committee. Committee will meet regularly twice weekly henceforth Tuesday and Friday at 11 a.m.
Meeting representatives powers signatory Cape Spartel Agreement will be held September 29 to take over control lighthouse from Spanish authorities.91 It was agreed informally invite Italian and Swedish representatives, who are not at present members Control Committee, attend Cape Spartel Commission meeting. Russian Government is not signatory Cape Spartel Convention and hence not eligible attend.
[Page 665]No information available when Russian representative may be expected arrive Tangier. Can Department enlighten me this point? Absence Russian from today’s meeting naturally causing much speculation.