Minister Gummeré to the Secretary of State.
Tangier, October 20, 1905.
Sir: In further confirmation of my number 47 of September 20, 1905, I beg to report that I have received a report from my interpreter, Mr. Abrines, informing me that on his arrival at the court at Fez he was immediately received by the grand vizier, Ben Sliman, to whom he delivered my letter setting forth my complaint against Hadj Hamed Torres, acting minister of foreign affairs. The vizier informed Mr. Abrines that he was already aware of the matter and expressed the deepest regret and condemnation of the action of his subordinate. He also informed him that His Majesty the Sultan was very angry about the matter and that orders would be given at once to the acting minister of foreign affairs to release the imprisoned man and to make a personal apology to me for his rudeness and for having infringed the treaty. Mr. Abrines further reports that on the following day he received a notice that the Sultan would receive him, and on presenting himself to His Majesty he was received with marked cordiality. The Sultan told him that he had sent for him to express to me through him his deep personal regret of the behavior of his servant and to beg me to overlook the same at his request, and at the same time to inform me that he would give personal orders to the grand vizier to send a strong letter to the acting minister of foreign affairs (who had already been severely reprimanded) to proceed at once to me and make an apology for his impertinence to myself and action in illegally arresting the servant of Thamy Slawee, and to release the said servant at once. The Sultan further expressed himself in most cordial terms as to the great nation which I have the honor to represent, as well as toward myself personally. Mr. Abrines further reports that he was to have an interview with the grand vizier on the following day, when the Sultan’s orders were to be carried out and the letter to the acting minister of foreign affairs delivered to him.
The Department will understand my pleasure at the successful issue of my reference to the court in this matter. The affair in itself was not of such great importance, but the action on the part of the acting minister for foreign affairs was so unusual * * * that I [Page 686] felt it was impossible to overlook it without great loss of prestige and endangering the whole of American interests and property in Morocco. I have communicated to His Majesty the Sultan and to the grand vizier, through Mr. Abrines, my satisfaction and thanks for their action. Mr. Abrines on the receipt of the Sultan’s letter will return to Tangier and I will then make a further report to the Department.
I am, etc.,