Editorial Note
Telegram 96 to Rabat, May 30, 1953, requested verification of a rumor that relations between the Residency and the Sultan had been broken off. Rabat telegram 136, June 2, reported that this had not happened, but the situation appeared serious. At a meeting on May 30 between the Sultan and the Resident General, the Sultan reportedly accused the French of having virtually torn up the Protectorate Treaty of 1912. He also refused to sign the French reform plan in its present form.
The Consulate considered the current French tactics a move to force the Sultan to sign a municipal reform program calling for elected assemblies with 50 percent French participation. Since the Sultan could probably not sign without compromising his position as sovereign, the French move was expected to have the opposite effect from that desired. It seemed to the Consulate that the Sultan had refused to be intimidated and had stiffened his opposition. (771.00/6–253)