881.00/1801: Telegram
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier (White) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 16—6:17 p.m.]
86. Reference is made to Legation’s telegram No. 83, December 13, 9 a.m. On the 11th, Serrano Suñer31 gave verbal assurance in regard to Tangier to Sir Samuel Hoare. He said that he intended no hurried economic changes but proposed to maintain both currencies, provided that the French did not make a drive against the peseta; he agreed that lapse of Statute of Tangier would revive British capitulatory rights; that the Straits should not be fortified; perpetrators of the British Post Office incident should be punished, and in general that British rights be respected.
The good effect produced in London by these assurances did not survive the news of the events reported in my 85, December 13, 4 p.m., and my latest information is that if the British Cabinet agrees, the Foreign Secretary will cause credits and wheat shipments for Spain to be held up pending receipt of a statement in writing from the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs as to precisely how he will give effect to the above-mentioned verbal assurance.
The late administrator Amieva told me that while nothing had been decided, the tendency is towards a separate economic system for this city.
In the absence of orders from the Sultan or the use of force, the international customs officials and the Mendub [Mendoub]32 are not relinquishing charge.