Papers written by Curzon on the Near and Middle East [‎166v] (332/348)

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not one which I had sought. British interests in the matter were not as great as those
of France, or of Spain, but I had volunteered my services because 1 understood that
they were desired by both parties, and because there were definite British interests
which, even if they might be inferior to those of the two other countries, were yet
considerable. But I could not be responsible for courting certain failure, and if the
conference did not take place the blame would not be mine. ...
The Ambassador thereupon reiterated what he had said a dozen times in previous
conversations, that he did not see the slightest reason why an agreement should not be
arrived at, or where there was any irreconcilable difference.
As soon as, however, he mentioned the hreuch claim for the uncontested authority
of the Sultan over the native population in Tangier, I reminded him that here was a
point which, if I interpreted it as I understood the French to interpret it, raised a
fundamental difference to start with. > .
As matters were not progressing between us, his Excellency, after repeating Ins
confident belief that an agreement was easy, asked me if I would object to sending a
Foreign Office expert to Paris to discuss the matter with a corresponding expert there.
1 said that this was a suggestion which I was prepared to consider, although I
must be clear that nothing was done that could be misinterpreted by the Spaniards as
going behind their backs.
He said that in that case perhaps a Spaniard might also be admitted.
I reserved my reply to these suggestions, but promised it at a later date.
His Excellency then for the first time made a further suggestion which, upon
enquiry, he said his Government might not very much like, but which he was persuaded
that in the last resort they would accept, namely, that the League of Nations should be
brought in some capacity or other into a settlement of the case.
When I asked him at what stage this introduction should take place, and what
were the functions which he anticipated the League might be asked to perform, he
replied that an international administration with conflicting interests was one of the
worst forms of administration in the world, and would be certain at langier, as else
where in the world, to provoke repeated conflict, in which case the League of Nations
might be a very desirable Appeal Court to which to refer. Further, he thought that it
might be entrusted with certain powers of supervision, or control, which he did not,
however, proceed more closely to define.
I said that I had long foreseen the possibility, or even the desirability, of bringing
the League of Nations into the matter, at some stage or other, and that I thought the
discussion well worthy of examination. I would look into the matter and speak again
to his Excellency on the subject at a later date.
I am, &c.
CURZON OF KEDLESTON.