FUTURE OF TANGIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 9

FUTURE OF TANGIER.

SPAIN SEEKS CONFERENCE. EVE OF GENEVA MEETING. OPPOSITION TO SUGGESTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Aug. 29. The Spanish Government has flung a bombshell among the Powers in connection with Tangier, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. He says he is able to announce that the Note Spain sent to Britain, France and Italy included an invitation to a conference upon the whole Tangier question which, it is suggested, should be held at Geneva on September 1, namely, on the eve of the meeting of the Council of the League of Nations. Even more surprising is the fact that this invitation was extended also to al] the Powers, including the minor States, who signed the Tangier Convention and the Act of Algeciras. Britain's attitude will largely be determined by the replies of Italy and France which seem to have been despatched with unusual haste. Copies of these are expected in London immediately. The correspondent says it is known that neither the annexation of .Tangier by Spain nor a mandate would be acceptable to France, though she would be willing to make substantial administrative concessions. Italy's reply is a complete mystery. Britain Opposed to Proposal. Weil-informed circles in London confirm the fact that Spain has suggested a conference at Geneva to consider the Spanish claim to Tangier. It is understood that Britain will reply as early as possible. • There is a natural reluctance at present to discuss the terms of the reply, but the general impression is that no useful purpose would be served by the proposed conference 'at such short notice, but that it should be postponed until after the meeting of the Council of the League. The primary object of the latter is to arrange for Germany's admittance to the League. It is considered that no extraneous issues should be permitted to interfere with that object. It is expected that France will support Britain. Mussolini Not Favourable.

The Paris correspondent of the Observer says the utmost France and Britain are willing to consider is a modification of the present situation in Tangier by which France would be given the greater part of the administration. Even this solution, however, is hindered by the provisions of the treaty. The Sunday Express says ,Signor Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy, has replied to Spain stating that Geneva is an unsuitable place at, which to discuss the Tangier question. He suggests that it should be dealt with at a special conference to be held elsewhere.

For several' years prior to 1923 Tangier with its hinterland had been administered under a series of capitulations which, in spite of the port's unrivalled natural advantages, stifled, its trade and made it a scene of stagnation and decay. The thfee Powers most vitally interested —Britain, France and Spain—had long recognised the need for a new and - better system, but had been unable to compose their' jealousies sufficiently .to agree on any. change. In June, 1923, they had got so far as to consenting that a committee of experts should meet in London to draft a new convention, but at' the last moment difficulties supervened which seemed likely to make that attempt to reach a solution abortive, like so many before it. However, in October, 1923, the committee actually did meet, and setting to work in a spirit of compromise and goodwill produced a Convention for Tangier which it laid before a meeting of .British, French and Spanish delegates in Paris on December 11. After duo consideration they signed the convention on December 18 - • • t ,t. The chief new provisions of the convention were the appointment of a Mendub, a kind of Pasha, for the administration of the natives, and a Committee of Control and an International Legislative Assembly for the general government of"the zone, which was declared permanently neutral. The Committee of Control was to consist of . the eight consular officers of the Powers signatory to the Act of Algeciras. and the International Assembly of 17 European members, including four French, four Spanish, three British and nine native (the last-named comprising six Moslems and three Jews). The convention was to be in force for .12 years. REPLY FROM ITALY.' AGREES TO CONFERENCE. NOT MATTER FOR LEAGUE. * (Received 1.5 a.m.) Keut'jr. " ' ROME, Aug. 29.

Italy ha; 3 replied to the Spanish Note assuring Spain of Italy s desire to meet all her just demands and agreeing to her suggestion that the Tangier problem should be submitted to an international conference of the Powers interested. Italian political circles infer, from this that the Italian Government is not willing for the problem to be submitted to the League of Nations.