The Future of Tangier
The adventure of the Spanish Government in Morocco in 1940 in seizing control of the neutralised and demilitarised zone of Tangier was doomed to failure if Germany did not win the war. Its action was a defiance of the Statute of 1923, signed by France, Britain and Spain, and the Protocol of 1928, which was signed also by Italy. Franco's usurpation was a piece of arrogance which was not dealt with at the time because among the Powers primarily interested France was under the thumb of Germany, Italy was our enemy and Britain had much else to occupy her. The original international arrangement had never been entirely satisfactory, and there was much to be said for improving the system of administra- tion and control. Hence this week's conversations at Paris, in which Americans had been invited to participate with French and British representatives. The talks have for the present been brought to a standstill, as a message has been received from the Soviet Govern- ment that it also desires to be represented. Since the United States now claims strategic interests in this zone it is understandable that Russia should discover that she too has interests ; and even at the expense of somewhat cumbrous proceedings it is obviously desir- able that Russia should share in these talks if she wishes to. Britain and the Mediterranean Powers are the countries which have the main trading interests in the port of Tangier ; but since the zone is admittedly to be kept neutral, and its neutrality has strategic importance, it is not inappropriate that the Great Powers collec- tively should settle its status and form of government.
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