The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-02
DEMAND BACKEDBT GUNS
Morocco Must Pay the Ezagui In
demnity Claim.
A Wnrsi,ip TO BE Ordered to Tangier
The United states Consul to Insist
Upon n SettIement-MoneyD Due the
Widow of the Murdered Ameri-
can Citizen to Be Collected.

II was announced at the State Depart
ment yesterday that at the request of
Samuel R. Gunnere. United States Consul
General at Tangier. Morocco, either the
cruiser Dixie or the gunboat Vicksburg
will be ordered to proceed to Tangier to
collect the sum of $1,000 due the widow
of Marcus Ezagui, a naturalizcd American
| citizen, who was murdered at Fec on June
| rs, 1900. The Dixie is now at Naples,
while the Nicksburg left Malta for that
port yesterday
Mr.. Gunnere was directed some time
since to present a claim for indemnity in
behalf of the widow of the deceased
amounting to 81, Geo. because the Govern
ment of Morocco apparently evinced no
| disposition to punish the culprits. who
were known, or otherwise offer repara-
ton for the crime
In answer to Mr.. Gunnere's presentation
OF the claim, the Government of Morocco
set up as bar the provisions of Article
Nv of the Madrid convention of July g.
1880, which relates to the return to Moroc-
co of naturalized citizen of that origin,
and says thar in case he shall remain for
length of time equal to that which shall
obtain such naturalization, he shall choose
between entire submission to the laws of
the Empire and the obligation to quit
morocco. unless his naturalization shall
have been acquired with the consent of
the Moroccan Government.
The point that the Government of Moroc-
co sought 10 raise and enforce was that.
lnasmuch as the murdered man had re-
sided in Morocco for five years, the time
far i'm, IN
live in the United States before naturaliza-
ton could be legally procured here. he
thereby came within the purview of Ar
ticle XIV, and his Government was estopped
from treating him as a citizen; in other
words. that his temporary residence for
business or other purposes in Morocco for
such specified period violated his acquired
allegiance and reinvested him with that of
which he had voluntarily and legally as
sumed
The United States Government denied
that this was in keeping with the letter
and spirit Of the treaty. Moreover, it
was one, too, that had never been assanted
to by the Government of the United States
or by any other of the signatory powers
to that convention, so far as was known
II meant, in plain words, that no Govern
ment could enforce its rights or protect
its citizens. the case arising. and that all
that was necessary to defeat the ends Of /!
justice or 10 absolve Morocco from any |
obligation of responsibility was to per-
NIT such foreigner TO peaceably reside in |
Morocco for given period and declare |
the treaty provision in question as De-
termining his political status. Naturally |
the Government of the United States could |
not assent to any such construction N the |
present instance.
In view Of the fact that no repre-
of the Government of the United
States has for some years visited the
Sultan's court at Morocco, the present
has been thought to be a fitting occasion
to send Mr.. Gunnere there, with full
power TO close the case OF the murdered
man and the other claims that have been
pending against the Government of Mo-
rocco. These have lately been under dis
:ussion between the authorities at Tangier
and Mr.. Gunnere. bu. without definite re-
suit. 1t is the State Departments wish
that an end be put to these matters. as
we'll as that guarantee be given that
will prevent repetition of the incident
hat called them forth. The disposition |
'f The Government is entirely friendly, |
nut 1t feels that in treating the cases at
Tangier such consideration as they de- /.
serve has neither been given them nor
DR. Gunuere in their friendly discussions, :
md the Sultan alone has power to adj .
ust them, which 1t is thought he will do .