702.4181/9

The Consul General at Casablanca (Goold) to the Secretary of State

No. 333

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of my letter of July 13th to the Honorable Maxwell Blake at Tangier together with its enclosures concerning the matter of a proposed protest to be made to the Protectorate Authorities with reference to the dismissal of British Consuls from the ports of the Protectorate, and Mr. Blake’s reply. The proposed protest was to be based on the theory that the exequaturs [Page 819] of the Consuls were issued to them by the Sultan and countersigned by the Resident General as the Sultan’s Foreign Minister—all in accordance with the Protectorate treaty61—and that consequently the action of the French Government in dismissing the Consuls was illegal.

I do not know to what extent the Department is interested in the maintenance of the fiction of the Protectorate in Morocco, but if it is interested to any extent, here is undoubtedly an opportunity to make a point which the French may, when peace treaty making time comes, [have reason?] to be grateful for.

I have the honor to ask instructions.

Respectfully yours,

Herbert S. Goold
[Enclosure 1]

The Consul General at Casablanca (Goold) to the Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier (Blake)

Sir: As you know there was some question of our taking over British interests here, but you will note from Mr. Hurst’s62 letter to me of yesterday that the Consul at Marrakesh will continue to deal with the affairs of the posts at Rabat and Casablanca.

I am enclosing copies of Mr. Hurst’s letter of the 12th together with its enclosures63 for what it has to say of the manner in which he was asked to leave the country, and to point out to you that the action was taken without any reference to the Sultan. You will notice from Mr. Morize’s64 note of the 8th of July that it was the French Government which took the decision to invite British Consuls in Ports to leave for England.

Under the Protectorate régime, I take it that there is no doubt that this action was quite illegal and I send the papers to you to learn whether you would have any objection to my joining with my Belgian and other colleagues in bringing this matter to the attention of the Protectorate Government, and making a protest, or whether you would prefer to make the protest yourself, or whether you would prefer to make a protest in addition to the one which I make jointly with my colleagues.

Respectfully yours,

Herbert S. Goold
[Page 820]
[Subenclosure]

The British Consul General at Rabat (Hurst) to the American Consul General at Casablanca (Goold)

Sir and Dear Colleague: I acknowledge with many thanks the receipt of your letter of yesterday confirming your readiness to place official seals on British Government property at Rabat, Casablanca, Mazagan and Saffi when requested to do so and to make a written declaration concerning the action taken in each place.

For your information I enclose a copy of the communication addressed to me by the Residency-General, No. 321 of the 8th July,65 regarding the closure of British Consular posts at ports in the French Zone of Morocco and of my reply thereto, dated the 9th July. You will notice that the letter of the Residency-General speaks of the “French Government” only and makes no mention of His Majesty the Sultan of Morocco and is, in this respect and without prejudice to other irregularities, quite incorrect.

Mr. Parr, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul at Marrakesh, whose functions (as those of Mr. F. H. Gamble, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul at Fez) continue, will, as from the closure of the British Consular posts at Rabat and Casablanca deal with British communities and interests in those two Consular districts also.

Believe me, Sir and Dear Colleague,

Respectfully yours,

L. H. Hurst
[Enclosure 2]

The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier (Blake) to the Consul General at Casablanca (Goold)

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 13, 1940 (File No. 704/HSG/ib) and enclosures relating the circumstances of the expulsion of British Consular representatives from French Protectorate ports.

I hesitate to advise your joining in the protest contemplated by your Belgian colleague, although I deem this to be well founded. I suggest, however, that, by air mail, you should bring the matter to the attention of the Department, furnishing it with copies of the [Page 821] complete correspondence, and requesting instructions, by cable if the Department considers it advisable, as to what action, if any, you may be desired to take in the premises. Please send for our files a copy of the Department’s reply.

Respectfully yours,

Maxwell Blake
  1. Signed at Fez, Morocco, March 30, 1912, British and Foreign State Papers, vol. cvi, p. 1023.
  2. British Consul General at Rabat.
  3. Enclosures not printed.
  4. Jean Morize of the French Residency General at Rabat.
  5. Not printed.