Algeciras Conference

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The Algeciras Conference of 1906 took place in Algeciras, Spain, and lasted from January 16 to April 7. The purpose of the conference was to mediate the First Moroccan Crisis between France and Germany, and to assure the repayment of a large loan made to the Sultan in 1904. France tried to bring about a protectorate (a weak nation under the protection and partial control of a stronger nation) over Morocco, but this was opposed by Germany.

The full diplomatic corps of the European powers was involved. The chief mediator, US Ambassador to Italy Henry White (aided in large part by Ambassador to Morocco Samuel R. Gummere) was assigned by President Roosevelt to solve the dispute. The conference resulted largely in France's favor, though Gummere assured the protection of German investments.

The final agreement, signed April 7, 1906 covered the organization of Morocco's police and customs, regulations concerning repressing the smuggling of armaments, and concessions to the European bankers from a newly-formed State Bank of Morocco, issuing banknotes backed by gold, with a 40-year term. The new state bank was to act as Morocco's Treasury Department, but with a strict cap on the spending of the Sherifian Empire, with administrators appointed by the national banks that guaranteed the loans: the German Empire, the UK, France and Spain. Spanish coinage continued to circulate. Rights of Europeans to own land were established. Taxes were to be levied towards public works.

The Sultan of Morocco retained control of a police force in the six port cities, which was to be composed entirely of Moroccan Muslims (budgeted at an average salary of a mere 1000 pesetas a year), but now to be instructed by French and Spanish officers who would oversee the paymaster (the Amin) and regulate discipline, and who could be recalled and replaced by their governments. The Inspector-General in charge would be Swiss and reside in Tangiers.

At the last moment the Moroccan delegates found that they were unable to sign the protocol, but a decree of Sultan Abdelaziz of Morocco on June 18 finally ratified it.

During the conference, the British sailed their North Sea Navy to the Strait of Gibraltar, which was also where their Mediterranean Navy was stationed. The purpose for doing this was to intimidate Germany.