881.00/1792: Telegram

The Chargé in France ( Matthews ) to the Secretary of State

1074. Department’s 777, November 30, 2 p.m. The Foreign Office states that the report received by the Department is “inexact”. The Spanish took over the control of the Tangier International Zone for the duration of hostilities with the consent of the French and British Governments. However, when granting its permission the French Government “reserved all its rights” under existent treaties and has never signed any agreement relinquishing them.

A certain amount of curiosity was evinced as to the reasons for the “strong protest” which, according to the French representative at Tangier, was recently made by our Diplomatic Agent.

I replied that I had no details of this action but considered that as a signatory of the Algeciras Convention we were naturally interested in any change in the status of the International Zone.

The Foreign Office confirmed that conversations have been carried on “in Vichy and Madrid” in regard to territorial cessions to Spain in Morocco (my telegrams 1044, November 27, 5 p.m., and 1052, November 28, 7 p.m.27)

While agreeing “in principle” to certain modifications of the existent frontier between Spanish and French North African possessions the French are opposed to any extensive cession of territory to the north of the Rabat–Meknes–Fez–Taza line because of its “strategic importance” to the defense of those cities.

Although the Spanish would like to have Agadir and the rich agricultural region surrounding it the Foreign Office considers it improbable that any territory will be ceded in that part of Morocco. Minor concessions may be made in the Rio de Oro sector.

Matthews
  1. Neither printed.