No. 30.] MONTENEGRO. EMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES. Minister Jackson to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN LEGATION, SIR: Referring to my dispatch No. 29, of this series and of to-day's date, I have the honor to inform you that the minister of foreign affairs at Cettinje has asked me to inform him "if the Government of the United States is disposed to prohibit, upon a request from the Montenegrin Government, the admission to the United States of any Montenegrins presenting themselves without passports regularly viséed for the purpose of emigration to America." In reply I have informed the minister that I am not in a position to give a positive answer to his question without instructions from you, but that I am confident that the American Government would not be willing to comply with his request, as it has always extended a welcome to persons likely to become desirable citizens, whether their emigration from their native country has been with the permission of the government thereof or not. I have, etc., JOHN B. JACKSON. The Acting Secretary of State to Minister Jackson. No. 11, Montenegrin series. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 30, Montenegrin series, of the 4th ultimo, informing the department that the Montenegrin minister of foreign affairs has asked you to inform him "if the Government of the United States is disposed to prohibit, on request from the Montenegrin Government, the admission into the United States of any Montenegrins presenting themselves without passports regularly viséed for the purpose of emigration to America." Your reply to the effect that this Government would not be willing to comply with such a request is approved. The administrative officers of the United States may exclude only the classes of persons whose entry is prohibited by law. I am, etc., 1152 ROBERT BACON, No. 1.] MOROCCO. MISSION OF MINISTER GUMMERÉ TO FEZ. Minister Gummeré to the Secretary of State. [Extracts.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Fez, September 29, 1906. SIR: I have the honor to report as follows: After great efforts I was able to carry out my original plan for the departure of our mission from Tangier on September 15. My heavy cases of stores, water, etc., had been sent ten days previously by sea to Larache and thence by camels to Fez, and on the afternoon of the 14th, I ordered the camp with servants and attendants to proceed to the first camping ground, some four hours from Tangier, to be in readiness for our arrival on the evening of the 15th. I might here state that besides the six tents purchased by myself, which are used for sleeping tents, we have some fifty which are supplied by the Moorish Government, with their necessary attendants. I am also supplied with 12 riding horses, as many riding mules, and 80 mules for transport, an escort consisting of a commander, or "kaid erraha," with 25 mounted soldiers and some 150 camp attendants, so that, including my own cooks, table men, grooms, laundresses, etc., some 30 in number, our camp consists of nearly 300 souls. As is customary, I made my farewell visits on the minister of foreign affairs and my colleagues on the 14th instant and announced my departure at 2 o'clock on the 15th. At that hour Captains Fremont and Guignard, attachés to the mission; Mr. Iselin, secretary; Doctor Repplier, Messrs. Nathan and Abrines, interpreters; together with my sister, Miss Gummeré, and Mrs. Ballard Smith, our cousin, who accompany me as my guests, having gathered together at the legation, we started promptly on our mission. As is also the custom, we were joined by the greater part of my colleagues, with their secretaries and many friends, who rode out with us for an hour or two on our road. A short distance outside of Tangier, I was met by Sid Mohamed Ben Arby Torres, the Sultan's delegate, with some of his officials, who wished me a safe journey, etc.; shortly after, by the Basha of Tangier with his troops, etc., who had come out for the same purpose, and still later by Meneb-behi, the ex-minister of war. We then proceeded on our journey, and at about 6.30 p. m. arrived at our first camp, where everything was in readiness for our comfort. I might here state that I have placed Sid Thamy Slawee, our protégé at Alcazar Kebir, and Mr. Senatuil, American citizen from Tangier, in control of the Moorish element in the camp, and Mr. 59605-FR 1906-73 1153 James W. Martin, messenger at the legation, and Mr. Mathews, noncommissioned officer from Gibraltar, in charge of the commissary department, and to their clever and unceasing efforts I consider that the comfortable journey we have made to Fez is largely due. I would also commend the great support given to me by Mr. Nathan, who has been untiring in his labors as interpreter, in which he has been ably assisted by Mr. Abrines. Each morning after an early breakfast, we left the camp at 8 o'clock accompanied by our immediate attendants and two tents for luncheon, and rode for about three hours or thereabouts, at which time the tents were pitched and we rested and lunched, remaining as a rule until about 3.30 or 4 p. m. In the meantime the main camp was struck and went on to the next camping ground, where we found everything in order on our arrival at about 5.30 p. m. The order of march was as follows: First, the mounted bearer of the Sultan's flag, with a guard on either side of him; then two of my legation guards, followed by myself and the interpreter, and the remainder of the party following, the rear being brought up by grooms, attendants, etc., and the mounted guards who also rode at the sides. This order never varied; no one must ride in front of the flag, which sets the pace, and no one except my own soldiers before me. At the borders of each district we were met by its kaid, with mounted soldiers, who generally did powder play in our honor and escorted us to our camp, where they remained and accompanied us on our march until we met the next kaid, to whose care he delivered us, each being responsible for our safety in his own district. It can easily be understood that so large a party, with so large an impedimenta, must travel slowly; indeed it is not considered dignified for a mission to do otherwise, so that we generally arranged for five to six hours per day, though on one day we traveled more than seven hours to reach good water, which is a serious item at this season. The journey was made from Tangier to a place called "Ensale Farache," an hour from Fez (which is always the final camp), in twelve days, most comfortably and without mishap, except the loss of a valuable horse of my own. The heat, was considerable at times but the nights always cool, and we only had one shower on the road, and that at night. Shortly after our arrival at Ensala Farache, I was visited by the secretary of Sid Abdelkrim Ben Sliman, the grand vizier, who bade me welcome in the name of the Sultan, who expressed great pleasure at my expected arrival, and it was arranged that I should leave my camp for my ceremonial entrance into Fez at 8.30 a. m. on the morning of September 27th. At that hour, accompanied by the said secretary and numerous subofficials, I set forth with the members of the mission, and a most brilliant sight was presented to us. An enormous escort of mounted troops and attendants in gorgeous uniforms accompanied us, and I was first met by the minister of war, who welcomed me in the name of the Sultan; then by the kaid meshwar or grand master of the court. As we proceeded the road for some miles was lined with troops, behind whom were massed the tribesmen. of the district with their native music and thousands of the populace. The Sultan's own band was stationed by the way to play us in, and Kaid Sir Harry Maclean, in command of the troops, with a brilliant staff, marched before us. It is quite impossible to describe in words the scenes on the march into Fez. On our arrival we were at once escorted to the palace of Sid Ben Nis (who was one of the Morocco commissioners to Algeciras), which was placed at my disposal by the Sultan during my sojourn in Fez. Outside of the royal palace, it is the finest in Fez, and was selected especially by the Sultan himself for me. The house itself is a veritable palace from the Arabian Nights, with large and numerous rooms, and comfortably houses the whole mission and attendants. It is partially furnished with handsome furniture and carpets, and, with our camp equipage, we are most comfortable. Immediately on my arrival I was waited upon by Sid Abdelkrim Ben Sliman, the grand vizier, and other ministers to welcome me, and, indeed, the greater part of the day was consumed in receiving visits. The grand vizier informed me that the Sultan had viewed our entry with keen interest, and that the next day being Friday, their Sabbath, on which no official work is done, he would see His Majesty in the evening and arrange for my first audience, and would duly inform me of the same. I would here state that the rule is that a minister is received in audience, to present his letter of credence, on the third day after his arrival, and I was agreeably surprised when in the afternoon of the 28th, the day after my arrival, I was waited upon by an under secretary of state with the information that the Sultan would receive me at 9 o'clock a. m. on the next day, only two days after my arrival, and that this was done as a special mark of honor by His Majesty, and that he especially wished that all the members of the mission, including the ladies, should be present at the ceremony. Friday, the 28th, was very fully occupied in receiving visits from court officials, European consular officers, heads of military missions, etc. This morning at about 9 o'clock the under master of ceremonies, with a host of minor officials, called to take me to the palace. The escort consisted of a large number of mounted troops and a battalion of foot soldiers, and on nearing the palace the road was lined with troops. On arriving we rode through various courts, where guards. mounted and bands played till we reached the inner court, where we dismounted. There I was met by the grand master of ceremonies, who ushered us into the presence of the Sultan, who was seated on a large chair of state on a dais, surrounded by his ministers. I advanced to His Majesty, making the requisite three bows, to which he responded, and, standing immediately before him, made a short address, a copy of which is inclosed, and presented to him the letter from the President, as well as my letter of credence, at the close of my address, which was made in English. It was repeated to His Majesty in Arabic by Mr. Nathan, and immediately after the Sultan's reply was read in Arabic by the grand vizier and repeated to me in English by Mr. Nathan. A translation of the Sultan's reply is herewith inclosed. After this ceremony the Sultan signified his pleasure that the immediate members of the mission be presented to him, which was done, and we thereupon withdrew with the same honors as on our entry. On my return to my house, within half an hour I was waited upon by the assistant secretary of state, who said that he had been specially sent by the Sultan to express his gratification at his reception of myself and the members of the mission, and to say that he would receive me in private audience the next day at 8.30 a. m., and that he did this as a special mark of honor to my country and myself. I expressed great gratification at the honor shown to me and begged that His Majesty should be informed that I should report the same to my Government. It was also intimated that His Majesty would be pleased to receive the gift brought by me from me personally at this second audience. That it may be understood what attentions are being shown to me, I would explain that, as a rule, the second audience of a minister occurs about ten to fifteen days after the first one, and often his gifts are unopened for months. I hope I may be pardoned for entering into detail as to the progress of the mission and my reception by the Sultan, but as it is the first American mission I have thought it might have especial interest. I feel that I can not too fully dwell upon the special marks of favor and honor which have been shown to me, nor the evident desire, from the highest to lowest, that I should feel myself as a more than welcome and distinguished guest. I am, etc., S. R. GUMMERÉ. [Inclosure 1.] Minister Gummeré's address. I have the honor to present to Your Majesty a personal letter from the great President of the United States, as well as my letter of credence as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Government of Your Majesty. As Your Majesty is aware, I have for some years represented my country in Morocco, and I need not assure you that as the first American minister to Your Majesty's Government it will be my earnest endeavor, as in the past, to advance the interest and prosperity of both Governments and to preserve the cordial friendship which has existed for so many years between our countries. [Inclosure 2.-Translation.] The Sultan's reply. Praise be to God. Welcome the arrival of the representative of the celebrated, great, and exalted American nation, with whom there has been much pure friendship and supreme confidence in times past and now renewed. And welcome the letter of the beloved and honored President, whose generosity and greatness are well known. And we hope that the same friendship with the American nation will continue, and that good fortune and prosperity will attend its steps and all its people in ever increasing measure. And welcome to you as ambassador and to all who are with you, and you will see from our Shereefian Majesty nothing but joy, according to the friendly relations and greatness of the two beloved nations, to the end that the happy subjects of both shall enjoy blessings. No. 60.] The Acting Secretary of State to Minister Gummeré. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 6, 1906. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 1, of September 29 last, describing your visit to the court at Fez, and transmitting copies of your address on the occasion of the presentation to the Sultan of the letter addressed to him by the President and His Majesty's reply. |