771A.00/8–1654: Telegram
The Consul at Rabat (Porter) to the Department of State1
28. Early yesterday morning the French entered Fez with four battalions of the Legion, a half company of Republican Guards and an unknown number of Moroccan police. These forces amounted to 3500 men. Purpose was to “reestablish normal life in dissident city”. Occupation carried out without incident, 145 arrested of a total list of 180 with remainder taking refuge in sanctuary of Moulay Idriss.
Lacoste yesterday spoke at Mazagan saying that it was known when arrived that August would be a difficult month; that no government could avoid trials that have occurred without inconceivable capitulations nor was it possible to “elude problems arising from a past toward which there cannot be nor is there any question of returning”. He praised police successes at Marrakech (where terrorist cell recently apprehended) adding similar successes expected elsewhere. He said police sweeps at Petitjean, Port Lyautey and Fez without precedent for magnitude and their results highly satisfactory. Resident General then condemned (in obvious reference to French elements similar to that mentioned Contel 26 to Department August 12)2 “lies and unconscionable and deliberate calumnies” which sometimes appear in publications of greatest circulation.
Relative calm prevails in major cities at this moment, this being direct result of generous use of French military strength. Restriction on American movements reported in Contel 16 to Department August 73 were substantially continued over past weekend by agreement between [Page 647] consulate, Air Force and Navy. It is generally assumed here that there is one more critical date to be passed—August 20, first anniversary of deposition of Ben Youssef. Also, there is possibility of more nationalist moves at or about time of convening of General Assembly. If French maintain their present military posture here, however, such moves may take form of individual attacks rather than mass demonstrations.