Chargé Philip to the Secretary of State.
Tangier, July 4, 1906.
Sir: I have the honor to report that the French minister to Morocco, Monsieur Saint-René Taillandier, has informed me that the Sultan of Morocco has to-day given entire acquiescence to the demands of France in the case of the murder near Tangier of the French citizen, [Page 1161] M. Charbonnier, as reported in dispatch No. 90, of May 31, 1906, from this legation.
The demands in question were formulated under four principal headings, which, briefly stated, were as follows:
- 1.
- Apprehension and punishment of assassins.
- 2.
- Offer of a complete apology.
- 3.
- Indemnity of francs 100,000.
- 4.
- Granting of a piece of ground at the spot where the murder was committed for the erection of a commemorative monument.
His excellency expressed himself as entirely satisfied with the manner in which the Moorish Government has brought to a termination this very regrettable affair.
I beg to state that the representatives of the various powers in Morocco, without exception, displayed entire sympathy with the French demands in this matter, and it was generally hoped that it would be possible to create such a strong and salutary effect upon the natives of the surrounding districts as would tend to preclude the possibility of a recurrence of acts of a similar nature. It is much to be regretted, however, that the apprehension of the assassins does not appear at all certain, and in this connection the Moorish Government was only able to promise their arrest and punishment at some future time.
To such an extent has the disregard for the authority of the Maghzen become infused among the Moors inhabitating certain districts about Tangier that the fact of the murderers of the Frenchman Charbonnier (they are known to be several) having made their way into the mountainous district of the Anghera tribe, the limits of which reach to within 2½ miles to the east of the town, appears to be generally considered as rendering their punishment impossible, owing to the entire lack of governmental authority there at present.
The French Government having brought the affair to as satisfactory an issue as was possible, it remains to be hoped that the Maghzen will be able to apprehend the murderers as promised.
I have in conclusion to state that the French admiral has notified the Moorish foreign minister that he will to-morrow morning salute the town, which has not previously been done, and will at an early date withdraw the French war ships from this port.
I am, etc.,