Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-09

why the British Minister Withdrew With
out Signing . Treaty.
The Official papers relative to the mission Of
Sir Charles Euau Smith, the British minister TO
Moroeco, to the sultan at Fee. extending over
the psroid from May 16 to July 20, have been
made public. The correspondence ON the sub
ject opens with Lord Salisbury advising Sir
Charles to urse the British proposals upon the
sultan in moderate, friendly terms.
Sir Charles replied to this Communication
with letter, in which he said he would be care
ful In the language he employed In presenting
Great Britain's proposals.
Further dispatches mention the cooperation
Of Italy, Austria and Germany Lord Salisbury
informed Sir Charles that Lord Dufferin, the
British ambassador to France. had communi-
Gated the proposed commercial treaty to the
French government and that M. Ribot, the
French minister OF foreign affairs, had expressed
his general approval Of the treaty Great Britain
proposed making with Morocco.
Writing from Fec, under date OF July 16, Sir
Charles stated that on the previous night the
governor had made foolish attempt, which
was countenanced by the sultan, to intimidate
him in connection with the negotiations He
told the sultan that preparations we're being
made TO attack the British mission and that
the life Of Sir Charles was threatened. Al
though the sultan must have known that the
ernor to call upon Sir Charles and inform him
q to the alleged condition Of affairs.
Sir Charles, however, was well aware Of the
state Of public feeling and declined to credit
the governor. The result was the immediate
collapse of the governors attempt to alarm the
British minister. The extra guards around the
mission were at once withdrawn, and the sultan
publicly censured the governor for making
false statements.
Regarding the treaty negotiations, Sir Charles
teiegraphed that the sultan had accepted all the
clauses Of the treaty except those relating to
the expectation Of wheat and barley. The
sultan offered Sir Charles bride Of f20, 900 in
gold il he would withdraw the grain clauses, say
ing that it was the custom of foreign ENJOYS on
Withdrawing measures that the sultan disliked
to accept valuable presents as reward. The
sultan, finding Sir Charles infiexibie in his re-
fusal to withdraw the grain clauses, ordered that
communications with the British mission cease.
Subsequently the governor Of Fee made de-
termined effort to create an auti-European dis
turbance by melting the fanaticism Of the
Moslems on the first day of the religious festi-
val. Bairan. A mob collected by soldiers
booted at and stoned the British vice consul,
who was accompanied by several Europeans
and Americans, in front OF the governors resi-
dence, the deputy governor personally direct
ing the mob
Sir Charles at once demanded an audience
With the sultan to obtain an explanation The
sultan promised to fine and dismiss the COVER
nor. to imprison the deputy governor in chains
and to fog twenty Of the rioters. The COVER
nor brought Sir Charles a fine Of e10 900. which
the latter distributed among the poor, thereby
making good impression upon the people Of
Fec.
On the failure Of the negotiations Sir Charles
left Fee. When the British mission was in
camp, forty miles of, the sultan sent COM
mission to conclude and sign the treaty. The
treaty having been prepared the commission
said that IL must be laid before the sultan as o
matter Of form and they promised to return
with it signed in five hours. They DELAYED
their return, however, ten days and then
brought request for further delay. Sir
Charles raised camp and finally broke off the
negotiations.
In conclusion, Sir Charles says that through
out the negotiations he was careful to avoid all
unfriendly language or menace either direct or
indirect
In response to Lord Salisbury's inquiries as
to the truth Of certain newspaper reports Sir
Charles wires: at is absolutely untrue that
tried to hoist the British flag in Fee, or that q
riot ensued in consequence, or that tore up
the draft Of treaty. I submitted no proposals.
except those for a commercial treaty which were
identical with instructions. did not ask for
telegraph or other concessions. 1t Is not true
that my staff or myself had to take active meas
ures against hostile manifestations or mob vio-
lence."