Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-03
THE CONSULATE AT MOROCCO.
What an American Traveller Saws of
Former and Present COuduct

what an American Traveller Says of
Former and Present Conduct
Mr.. A. B. deGuerville of New York, who
has been travelling in Morocco, has written
a letter to State Treasurer A. B. Colvin
OF New York, making serious charges
against ex-censuls of the United States in
Morocco. and urging the retention of Con-
sui General Burke at Tangier. In his letter
he says:
patriotic as you are, you are undoubted-
iy anxious that our flag be respected wher-
ever it has been raised, no matter whether
1t Is in small or a large country. Unfor-
tunately CROUCH We gained very bad
reputation as nation in Morocco through
the dishonest dealings of consuls general
who preceded Mr.. Burke.
morocco, like all countries where we
have consular courts is in many WAYS
much more important as far as representa-
ton goes than even England, France or
Germany In the last-named countries the
consul general is, after ALL but an official
commercial agent and any good business
man can fill the place. In semi-civilized
countries, however, the consul is often
diplomatic agent, and always judge,
who must decide all the questions Coming
before the consular court. 1t is necessary
that the man should have, not only the
knowledge of our laws, but also be ac-
qualnteu With international laws and the
laws of the country to which he is ac-
credited. In order to act fairly he must
also understand the people among whom
ne Is living. All this cannot be learned in
one day, and all persons acquainted with
such countries know how much we hurt
our interests abroad by continually chang
ing our ccnsuls.
For several years the consulate general
at Tangfer has been the source of enormous
revenues to dishonest consuls who:
flrst-Appointed or recommended for an
pontment as vice consuls to other Moorish
cities undesira BILE men willing to nav from
$20O to 81 .OOo for the position.
Second-Accepted large brides in order
to decide case in favor of the triber
'Thiid-Scld to rich Jewish and other
merchants the official cards which the gov
eminent of Morocco gives to foreign con-
suIs, and which are permits for goods to
pass the custom house without being ex-
amined or paying duties. You can easily
Tor cards giving such a privilege
hlhes, guns and pistols cannot be i'm
ported into Morocco except by the govern
ment. and are therefore very expensive
Inc wl1e OF our late consul there brought
over as personal baggage large cases OF
firearms, which her husband sold for their
weight In gold. Matters became so scan
dalous that the Moorish government re-
quested Mr. Cleveland to recall his repre-
sentative 1t was then that Mr. Burke
ordered to proceed at cnce to Tanpier to
take charge OF the consulate general He
Is man OF great experience. having heen
consul In Spain and in South America
under republican and democratic admtnis-
trations. and he has succeeded in arrang-
ing matters to the satisfaction of all. gain
ing the respect, confidence and admiration
OF the Moorish government, the natives and
the foreign residents. But he has been
mere only few months. and the work OF
vindicatfnk our national honor must be con-
tinued by a man who thoroughly under
stands the situation