New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-02

COURTESY SHOWN SPAIN.
Taration Plan Adopted-Amer'can
Objection Withdr05Cn.

,Alseciras, Spain, Feb. 1.-The Moroccan Con-
ference at it's session to-day adopted without
modification the draft of the taxation project.
The Moorish delegates raised a number of ohjec-
tons and will refer the proposals 20 the Sultan
at Fez
The question Of reforming the customs duties
not considered.
The American delegates took an active part
In the discussion before the conference to-day
by raising a point against any indirect infringe
ment of the Sultan's sovereignty This the
first appearance of the Americans in the formal
Debates and the point raised by them brought
the most earnest and interesting discussion
the conference has thus far had
The committee on taxation reported extend
ed plan. feature of which gave the foreign
consus the right to retain certain percentage of
the taxi. on foreigners to cover the expenses of
collection. When this feature was reached Am
bassador White, remarked that there appeared
TO be some inconsistency in foreign officials col
lecting money for the Sultan and then retaining
a portion of what they collected He made the
point also that such retention of a portion of
revenues designed for the Sultan might be con-
strued an infringement Of his sovereignty
The Ambassador therefore suggested modifca-
tion so that the retention of portion OF the
tax by the consuls should not be a permanent
feature of the system
Russia, promptly supported the American view,
and the approval became general. with the ex-
ception of Spain. The Spanish delegates mani
tested strong dissent The Duke of AImodovar
the Spanish Foreign Minister and chief of the
delegation of Spain, being in the chair, did not
participate in the debate, but left the presenta-
ton of SPANS objection to the second Spanish
delegate, Senior Perez Caballero. The latter
spoke long and earnestly against the American
suggestion. emphasizing that Spain would suf-
fer the chief part of the loss If the consuls did
not retain portion of the tax. as Spain had
the largest number of foreigners under taxa
ton.
a running debate. often earnest but always
good natured went on for an hour, Spain con-
tiruing to oppose the proposition, while the
other powers dropped in line to support it,
Sir Arthur Nicolson. the head of the British
mission finally suggested that since Spain
objected 1t might be desira BILE not to press the
proposed modification. Mr.. White immediately
assented, saying that he considered unanimity
essential and therefore he withdrew the pro-
posed modification.
The conference thereupon adopted the COM
mittee's report. giving a general plan of taxa
ton largely under the control of the diplomatic
and consular body at Tangier, and adjourned
until Saturday.
The Moorish delegates are showing signs of
discomfort. They came expecting to take a
leading part in the plan for the administrator
of their country. but thus far their influence has
counted for little and they only passive
listeners To the plans formulated by the powers
This was noticeable in the discussion of the in
ternal tax system, 10 which they withheld their
assent while the delegates Of the other powars
unanimously asSented
The feature of the tax system by which tho
foreign ministers and consuls retain considerable
control IS construed as indicating the tendency
OF the conference toward the esta bIishnlent of
international authority. which is one of tbs
main Franco German issues.
The participation of the American delegates
in to-days debate useful in the Strength
enlnS Of the friendly ties between them and the
other delegates. The French envovs partiruIarI-,
approve Ambassador Whites course. The Duka
OF Allnodovar. Spanish Minister of Foreign Az
fairs, has also taken occasion to thank Mr. Whit.
for considerably yielding to SPANS obiection
to his proposed modification of the tax system