881.822/137

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

No. 502

Sir: The Department has received and considered your despatch No. 345 of December 11, 1928, concerning the communication addressed to you, in your capacity as President of the Cape Spartel Commission, by the Sultan’s Representative at Tangier, upon the instructions of the Shereefian Government at Rabat, expressing the desire to see the operation and administration of the Lighthouse at Cape Spartel confided to the Engineer and Technical Adviser of the Maghzen, under a double delegation, from the International Commission on the one hand and from the Shereefian Government on the other.

The Department concurs in your observations in the circular letter with which you submitted the communication to your colleagues, and approves of the position which you have taken.

This Government desires that, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention of 1865 concerning the administration and upholding of the Lighthouse at Cape Spartel, the operation and administration of that Lighthouse shall continue to devolve upon the representatives of the contracting powers. You are authorized to take this position in the event that the matter should arise in the discussions of the Commission.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
W. R. Castle, Jr.