Convention Respecting Morocco between France and SpainIn the name of the Kingdom of Serbia:
(s) GENERAL SAVA GRUIC ́
(s) NIKOLA PASIˇC ́4.1208 Convention Respecting Morocco
between France and Spain
Alliance Members:France and Spain
Signed On:October 3, 1904, in the city of Paris. In force until May 16,
1907, when Britain, France, and Spain signed a separate entente.
Alliance Type:Entente (Type III)
Source:The American Journal of International Law,vol.34,no.3,Sup-
plement: Official Documents (July 1940), p. 127–131.
Additional Citations:British and Foreign State Papers,vol. 102,
p. 402ff.
SUMMARY
As one of the last independent states in Africa, Morocco represented
an important economic and political prize for the European great
powers. After securing Italian and British compliance for its bid to
dominate Morocco, France won Spanish support in 1904. The
alliance’s terms were simple, effectively seeking to preserve both
Moroccan independence for the time being and the rights of France
and Spain to shape its future to the exclusion of other parties.
Imperial Germany would spark the First Moroccan Crisis in 1905 in
order to isolate France by proving the fragility of the British commit-
ment. The plan failed, however, as both the British and the Russians
supported France in negotiations. The Franco-Spanish alliance won
the rights in 1906 to cooperate in the defense of Morocco as well as
implement plans for the eventual partition of the country.
The alliance ended in 1907, however, after the Moroccan partition was
effectively completed, but cooperation with the British and Russians
would continue for some time beyond the negotiations surrounding
the first crisis.
Alliance Text
DECLARATION.
The Government of the French Republic and the Government
of His Majesty the King of Spain, having reached accord over
fixing the extent of the rights and the guarantee of interests
which arise for France from her Algerian possessions, and for
Spain from her possessions on the coast of Morocco, and, the
Government of His Majesty the King of Spain having in conse-
quence its adherence to the Franco-British Declaration Relating
to Morocco and Egypt, communication of which had been
made to it by the French Government, DECLARE that they
remain firmly attached to the integrity of the Moroccan Empire
under the sovereignty of the Sultan.
In testimony whereof, the undersigned, His Excellence the
Minister of Foreign Affairs and His Excellency the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the King of
Spain to the President of the French Republic, duly authorised
to this effect, have drawn up the present Declaration to which
they have apposed their seals.
Done in duplicate at Paris, 3rd October, 1904.
Signed
DELCASSÉ
F. de LÉON y CASTILLO.CONVENTION.
The President of the French Republic and His Majesty the King
of Spain, wishing to fix the extent of the rights and the guaran-
tee of interests which arise for France from her Algerian posses-
sions and for Spain from her possessions on the coast of
Morocco, have decided to conclude a Convention and have
nominated for this purpose as their Plenipotentiaries the fol-
lowing: The President of the French Republic, His Excellence M.
Th. Delcassé, Deputy, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French
Republic, etc; His Majesty the King of Spain, His Excellence M.
de Léon y Castillo, Marquis del Muni, his Ambassador Extraor-
dinary and Plenipotentiary to the President of the French
Republic etc.;
Who, after having had their plenary powers communicated
to them, drawn up in due and proper form, have agreed upon
the following articles:—
Art. I. Spain adheres under the terms of the present Conven-
tion to the Franco-British Declaration of 8th April, 1904 Relat-
ing to Morocco and Egypt.
Art. II. The region situated to the West and North of the line
hereinafter determined constitutes the sphere of influence
which arises for Spain from her possessions on the coast of
Morocco.
In this zone the same right of action is reserved for Spain as
is accorded to France by the second paragraph of Article II of
the Declaration of 8th April, 1904 Relating to Morocco and
Egypt.
However, taking into account of the existing difficulties and
of the mutual interest there is in settling them, Spain declares
that she will not exercise this right of action except after previ-
ous accord with France during the first period of application of
the present Convention—a period which shall not exceed fif-
teen years from the signature of the Convention.
On its part, during the same period, France, desirous that the
rights and interests accorded to Spain by the present should
always be respected, will make known beforehand to the King’s
Government its action at the Court of the Sultan of Morocco in
matters concerning the Spanish sphere of influence.
After this first period has expired and so long as-the status
quo endures, French action in relation to the Moroccan Gov-
ernment over matters concerning the sphere of influence
reserved to Spain will not be taken except after previous accord
with the Spanish Government.
During the first period the Government of the French
Republic will do its best to secure that in two of the Customs