Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

881.00/2536a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Casablanca ( Russell )

Washington , May 5, 1943—1 p.m.

127. The British Embassy has furnished us with the substance of a telegram of January 29 from the British Consul at Casablanca reporting a conversation with El Glaoui,⁴² in which the latter asserted that the Sultan regarded the Protectorate Treaty with France⁴³ as having lapsed because the French were no longer in a position to act as the protecting power to Morocco. The Sultan was reported to have stated that since Morocco was not yet ripe for complete independence he would be glad to see his country receive the joint protection of the United States, Great Britain, France, and possibly Spain. He was also said to have expressed a desire for the appointment of diplomatic representatives who would have direct access to him.

El Glaoui stated that the Sultan had asked him to serve as an intermediary with the Americans and the British, adding that he had discussed with you some time ago the subject of direct diplomatic representation. It was further stated by the Glaoui that you had reported on this matter to the Department and had subsequently informed him to the effect that the idea had been favorably received here.

We have informed the British that the alleged request of the Sultan for diplomatic representation has not previously come to our attention and that without talking with the French we would not regard with favor any change in the present situation. In this connection the British Embassy has furnished us with the observations of the British Consul General at Rabat, who in a telegram dated February 20 expressed the strong opinion that it would be both impracticable and impolitic to support any such policies or ambitions as ascribed to the Sultan. The Consul General felt that any move by the Allies to modify the political status of Morocco would arouse the resentment of all Frenchmen, and that to appoint diplomatic representatives as the Sultan apparently contemplated could only be regarded by the French as the first step to destroy their position and undermine their prestige in Morocco. We have been told by the British that these remarks reflect the attitude of the British Foreign Office.

There is no objection to your conferring with your British colleague regarding his conversation with El Glaoui.

Repeat to Rabat and Tangier.

Hull

42. Hadj Thami al Glaoui, Pasha of Marrakesh.
43. Signed at Fez, March 30, 1912, British and Foreign State Papers, vol. cvi, p. 1023.