THE TANGIER ZONE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 6

THE TANGIER ZONE

The fact that two Italian submarines have sought safety in the port of Tangier, after pursuit by British naval and air craft, raises, with considerable urgency, the question of the continued neutrality of the Tangier zone.. Tangier was internationalised under a treaty, signed before the war of 1914-18, and later was made permanently neutral in terms of the Tangier Convention of December, 1923, concluded between Great Britain, France and Spain, with Italy joining in 1928. The zone, important in any question of Mediterranean control because of its port, was placed under international administration, and was demilitarised as well as neutralised. The convention governing the status of the zone was renewed in 1936 for another period of 12 years, though Spain had never professed to be satisfied with an arrangement providing for international control in a vital strategic area which, she argued, was within the sphere of her special interest. The occupation of the zone by two Spanish divisions in June last was the first significant act that followed the Spanish Government's declaration of nonbelligerency. Apparently it was effected with the acquiescence of the British and French authorities, and was specifically limited to " the preservation of law and order," but it was hailed nevertheless as a Spanish conquest and was succeeded by an immediate newspaper outcry for the acquisition by Spain not only of Gibraltar and Tangier, but of Casablanca, Fez, Oran and Algiers as well. The explanation for the occupation given at the time was that the officer commanding the Tangier police forces, after consultation with the International' Commission, was compelled to ask Spain to send troops to maintain

order and safeguard the zone's neutrality. Spain had acquired police powers in the 225-square mile area in a special accord signed in 1928, and it was these powers that were invoked as grounds for the occupation. The Spanish Foreign Office undertook, however, not only that the neutral status of the zone would remain, but that the existing administration would be continued. Actually, since the Spanish forces walked in a few months ago, administrative responsibility has been vested largely in the Spanish military commander. The present incident should prove a test of Spain's sincerity in the matter of the preservation of the zone's independence. If the Spanish Government lives up to its professions none other than the refuge provided for under international law can be granted to the Italian submarines.