TANGIER PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1926, Page 3

TANGIER PROBLEM

SPAIN'S 'REQUEST. [Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.** LONDON, August 27. A note from Spain relating to Tangier, lias now boon presented in London and Paris, as well as in Home. It is believed that the British and French Governments’ replies will be in two separate parts, since both are agreed that the Tangier qeustion cannot be linked up with Spain’s claim for a permanent seat on the League

Council. Meantime, it is being stressed that the issue of a mandate over Tangier would be entirely beyond the prerogative of the League. The “Daily Telegraph” points out that Article Twenty-two of the League Covenant limits the mandatory system to the colonies and territories of “ exenemy ” powers, and that it cannot be interpreted as connoting the League’s interference in any state which has never been withdrawn from the operations of legitimate, unchallenged sovereignity. which, in this ease, is that of the Sultan of Morocco. The 11 Daily Telegraph” says: “The plain, specific purpose of the mandate system is to provide a civilised administration for territories wherein tins does not exist, which certainly is not the position in Tangier, whatever may he the shortcomings of the internaiona! regime there. According to the “ Evening Standard’s ” diplomatic correspondent, the British Foreign Office at first favourably viewed Spain’s claim, but the Admiralty then emphatically pointed out that Tangier was just as much vital to the Mediterranean as was Gibraltar, and that submarines Iliad changed the whole strategic position. Consequently Sir Austen Chamberlain could go to Geneva- and benevolently view any Italo-Franco-Spnnish arrangement not weakening Britain in her strategic position! BERLIN. August 27. The German Foreign Minister, Dr Herr 'Stresemann, expresses the opinion that Spain’s claim for a Tangier mandate will facilitate matters at Geneva, rather than otherwise, for it is now apparent, he says, that Spain attaches more importance to Tangier than to a permanent Council seat.

«. ATX STATES HER. CASE. MADRID, August 20. Spain’s attitude concerning Tangier is officially stated to embrace three aspects, namely territorial, maritime and local. The first is that Spain could not complete the civilising mission of an international character which she has begun in North Africa, so long as Tangier remains the refuge for rebels and is an open door for a contraband war. Secondly, it is to the collective interest of all the powers to ensure the neutrality of the Gibraltar Straits. Thirdly, the present international regime ihas been demonstrated as one lacking in durability. Spain’s statement draws attention to the natural connection between the Tangier problem and Spain’s position at Geneva in connection with the League. Spain urges the nations concerned to examine the situation. REICH STAG’S ATTT T UDE. BERLIN. August 27. The. Reichstag’s Foreign Affairs Committee has discussed the political situation. It is learned that the Foreign Minister is. on the whole, confident that the difficulties concerning Germany’s entry to the League will eventually be removed. He does not expect serious opposition by Spain, who, he considers, is fully occupied by the Tangier problem, in which Germany is not interested. Dr Stresemann pointed out that Lord Cecil’s plan is still taken as the basis of negotiation. The Committee, which approved ot the Government’s' attitude, finally rejected a Communist motion demanding the withdrawal of Germany’s application to enter the League.