The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of His
Catholic Majesty, has the honor, in obedience to instructions received
from his government, to transmit to the honorable Secretary of State of
the United States a copy of a communication which he has just received
from the minister of state, explaining the object and fixing the date of
a conference which is to be held at Madrid in the month of May next, to
the end that if the Government of the United States approves the
proposition contained in the accompanying communication, it may be
pleased so to inform the undersigned, and also to state whom it will be
pleased, in that case, to appoint as its representative at that
conference.
The undersigned avails himself, &c.
[Inclosure in Señor Mendez de Vigo’s
note of April 26, 1880.]
The Minister of State
to the Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty
at Washington
Most Excellent Sir: Your excellency was
duly informed of the steps taken by the representative of Her
Britannic Majesty at this court, who had been properly
[Page 931]
authorized by his
government, with a view to reaching an understanding with the other
governments of Europe and America with regard to the right of
protection exercised by foreign legations and consulates in the
Empire of Morocco.
In its desire to strengthen the authority of the Sultan, which it
considers daily more necessary to do, the London cabinet thought
that nothing would so much conduce to the accomplishment of this
purpose as would the settlement of this question: consequently, and
in view of the ill success that had attended the conferences held at
Tangier in relation to this matter by the diplomatic and consular
officers accredited there, it proposed, through its representative,
to the Duke of Tetuan, to inaugurate special negotiations for this
purpose between the powers interested, adding that Madrid appeared
to be the most suitable place for the meeting of the
negotiators.
Being influenced by these considerations, the Government of the King,
as your excellency is aware, did not hesitate to espouse the views
of Her Britannic Majesty, with the object of endeavoring to have the
question of protection and those intimately connected with it
treated in a special manner, outside the territory of Morocco,
stating at the same time that Spain would be very happy to receive
at this court the commissioners who should be designated for this
purpose by the various powers.
Since that time the minister of Her Britannic Majesty at this court,
and the representatives of Spain in foreign countries have reported
to the Government of the King that the proposition of the London
cabinet has been favorably received by the powers to which they are
accredited; the undersigned minister consequently thinks that the
proper time has arrived for him directly to address the governments
interested, that they may, if they think proper, designate persons
to represent them at the proposed conference.
The foregoing is sufficient to enable the Government of the United
States to understand the object and purview of the deliberations of
said conference; still, I think it proper for me to state, in this
dispatch, an important consideration which has been suggested to the
Government of His Majesty by the desire that the result may be as
advantageous as is hoped by all.
The negotiations hitherto carried on at Tangier having been
unsuccessful, it seems proper that none of the representatives now
residing in Morocco should be present at the new conference. On this
subject the London cabinet is perfectly in accord with His Majesty’s
Government. What is now needed is, in the opinion of both
governments, that the persons charged with the settlement of these
questions should be free from all prejudices derived from their
individual impressions, with a view to the more ready obtainment of
results favorable to the common interest, and in accordance with the
spirit and letter of the treaties existing between the Emperor of
Morocco and the Christian powers.
His Majesty’s Government has also considered, as was natural, the
best time for holding the conference, and considering the season and
the general utility that would result from the speedy adoption of
the desired arrangement, it proposes that the meeting take place on
the 15th day of May next.
By royal order I inform your excellency for the purposes aforesaid.
May God guard your excellency many years.
