The sun., 1901-06-16
NEGOTIATIONS WITH MOORS
UNITED STATES CONSrL GUMMERE AR.
RIyES FROM MOROCCO.
Tells How the sultan was brought to Terms
In the Ezagui Anair-The Two systems
Of Protection for American Agents There.

l
TRENTON. n. J. June iS-samuel Il Gum
mere. United States Consul to Morocco. n
spending few days at his home in this cit,
en- route for Washington, where he will re-
port to the State Department concerning
his recent negotiations with the Sultan and
will seek instructions concerning the present
claims Of this country against the Moorish
Government. MIR Gummere in an inter-
view tonight willingly discussed general
conditions in Morocco. but said he could not
enter into any details concerning pending
| or presumptive negotiations.
Mr. Gummere said that the actual occur
rences conncctei with the collection OF the
s.. 900 claim arising from the death of Marcos
Ezagui had been greatly distorted by yellow
journals In this country. many Of the stories
published having absolutely no foundation
In fact The present claims of the United
States against the Moorish Government.
he said, amount to between $50. 900 and $780,
They all arise from outrages against per
sons under the protection Of the United States
Consulate. which has absolute authority In
the matter of protecting United States citl-
zens and similar authority in the case OF
certain Moorish citizens
To make the conditions leading up TO the
recent controversy clear MIR. Gummere ex-
planned that under the treaty Of Madrid there
was commercial protection under two sys-
tens For example. a New York firm wish
ing to 20 business In Morocco must have
an agent TO conduct IT'S affairs. Such firm
applies to the Consul for certificate. which
Is issued bv him to tho agent or somsar.
This certificate issued at the discretion
OF the Semsnr and afrordsgroteotion to both
his person and nrore't". He cannot then be
touched witnout application TO- the Consul and
he has the same privileges as United states
citizen. .., 4.
Mr. Gummerc continued, pertaining only
To property For example, an American
wishe, to become a farmer. He must have a
Mohaot or farmer to whom he gives cer-
tain amount TO invest IN sheep. produce or
farm implements. The property purchased
or acquired by the Mohalot is protected by
the Consul. but not the Mohalot's life.
THIS system works well IN hangers, but
not in the outlying districts, where whenever
a man acquires a little property the local
Governors swOop down upon hun, strip him
OF all he has and then cast him on beggGr
or do away with him by other means. For
such offences there IL no redress through
courts or similar channels. The first step
is to lind the offender and when and where
the outrage was committed The local
authorities invariably deny all knowledge
of such Affairs and this neCcssitares an appeal
10 the central Government. which usually
has to be reminded Of the Treaty of Madrid.
Procrastination is II certain consequence
of such a demand and efforts TO parley and
hnprln must lie met hv frmnses
This was the situation Regarding the s. 900
claim for the death % Marcos, Ezagui who
was killed in Fez last July. Ezagili was "a
Moorish jew who was at one time N Boston
and who married "A Brooklyn woman lie
was the agent for an American house One
DAY Ezagui was riding through the street,
of Fez when the tail Of his horse swished
against Cherif or Holy man, This led
10 an attack on Ezagui who was beaten and
stoned and then placed ON pile Of straw
saturated with petroleum ana b irned to a
crisp The indennit" was claimed for the
dead mans widow and child
Continuing, Mr. Gummcre said that the
demand made by him under instructions
from Washington was met with the usual
sillv excuses from the Moorish officials. Fin
allv, when hs declared his intention of visit
ing the CAPITOL h" was advise that II was
about TO be moved He insisted, however.
upon seeing the Sultan, aud Il was then
that the cruiser New York was sent u escort
him from Tangier to Mazagan. tho seaport
of the CITY Of Morocco. =.
"The presence of the New York" said Mr.
Gummere, had no significance as regards
the enforcement Of the claim. ~ was sent
purely as an escort, this being the custom
OF ali the other Powers when "A visit to the
capital Is contemplated.
II ulesI ~ warship accompanies foreign
repres entative and all formalities are oO-
served, the Moors are apt to think the Gov
ernment represented unworthy Of cOnsidera-
ton or at least not the equal OF other Powers
When IL became manifest that the trip 20 the
@ ptal would be insisted upon the claim was
paid without further delay"
Mr. Gummere said his visit 10 this country
was not an Official one. lie had asked leave
to return last summer but had remained az
his post on account OF the occurrences re-
ferred to. Mr. Gummere did not anticipate
that there would be serious difliculty IN ad-
justing the other claims Of this country.