771A.00/9–154: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State1
930. Basdevant of Protectorates Ministry elaborated to us today on statement on Morocco which Mendes made to National Assembly August 27.
- 1.
- Reference to measures to improve personal situation of ex-Sultan and family meant to imply their transfer to France. Although Mendes specifically ruled out ex-Sultan’s return to throne, fact that he was silent about throne possibilities for latter’s sons not significant. Present thinking does not envisage such a solution.
- 2.
- Most immediate step to be taken, as foreshadowed in speech, is creation of Council he presenting most qualified representatives of different tendencies of Moroccan opinion which will be called upon to comment on reforms which French Government now has under preparation. Resident General Lacoste has been instructed to move ahead with this step as rapidly as possible but many delicate problems remain to be solved. For example, if Council is created by Sultan’s Dahir, Istiqlal may refuse to participate. Lacoste’s views awaited on how to deal with this problem and on probable composition of Council. Presumably Council would also include representatives of Pashas and Caids and other elements both opposing and favoring ex-Sultan.
- 3.
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French do not plan to submit dynastic problem to Council for study. On other hand, will not preclude Council comment on this problem. French hope that one of great purposes which Council will serve will be to lead to a rapprochement between Moroccans if different tendencies who will be meeting together.
Embassy comment: Judging from Basdevant’s remarks, French expect dynastic problem to be raised by Council and probably hope that some reasonable compromise solution will emerge that will be acceptable to the majority of groups represented. Ruling out return of ex-Sultan does not mean that replacement of Arafa would not be acceptable to French. Most important consideration would be that such [Page 648] a move be widely accepted in Morocco which may explain French desire to create a widely representative Council. End comment.
- 4.
- Government plans to move ahead vigorously with institutional reforms, one of most important of which expected to relate to central administration. Council of Viziers and directors has become too powerful and should have counter-balance in form of representative assembly which would replace council of government.
- 5.
- One explanation of calmer atmosphere prevailing past several weeks in Morocco which Ministry believes has some substance is that Istiqlal leaders abroad gave orders to this end in realization that Mendes government seriously prepared to seek solution of Moroccan problem as soon as other more immediate problems such as Indochina, Tunisia and EDC disposed of.
Basdevant also confirmed that Ludovic Chancel, French Ambassador in Iraq, would be named Minister-delegate within several days. He spoke highly of him adding that he had had previous experience in Morocco as counsellor of Sherifian government for several years after end of World War II.
- This telegram was repeated to Tangier, Rabat, Rome, Malta, Casablanca, Tunis, Algiers, and Baghdad.↩