771.00/12–3054: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State1
2756. We discussed Moroccan situation with Protectorates Ministry (Basdevant) yesterday. Commenting on newspaper reports from Morocco that certain reforms would be undertaken in very near future, such as abolition of Council of Vizirs and Directors, Basdevant stated that no measures likely until Government is able to consider Moroccan problem as a whole and to reach decision on program to be carried out. Thereafter, measures may be taken piecemeal (such as abolition above Council) but only as part of agreed over-all program. Unlikely that [Page 663] decision will be reached on program until Tunisian agreement concluded at which time Mendes expects give more attention to Moroccan problem.
Basdevant commented that Lacoste still carrying on consultations with Moroccans of various shifts [shades?] of opinion and that further group of seven nationalists released few days ago. He mentioned that Lacoste recently gathered together number of nationalists and “traditionalists” (Caids and Pashas), many of whom previously known to each other by name only. We gather principal and not unexpected conclusion drawn from meeting was that gap between views these opposing groups very considerable. We further gather that while in principle French are still working for creation of Moroccan study group to consider reform program other formulas are being developed. Upon dynastic problem, there is little indication here that any progress being made toward solution.
We continue to feel that Mendes does not underestimate seriousness of Moroccan problem and that it will soon be next item on his priority list. From North African viewpoint, however, we believe that his most important immediate task, after Paris Accords, is to guide French-Tunisian negotiations to early and successful conclusion. It may even be necessary for him to await ratification Tunisian agreements before taking conspicuous action on Moroccan problem in order to avoid adding to already large body of parliamentarians who can be expected vote against these agreements. However, we believe that once agreements are concluded, he will press for their early ratification.2
- This telegram was repeated to Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis, Cairo, Malta, and Rome.↩
- Tangier’s telegram 184, Dec. 31, said it was evident from the information given in telegram 2753 that the Mendès-France government would not undertake a major Moroccan operation in the near future, but stated that the passage of time would allow the problem to become worse and correspondingly more difficult to solve. (771.00/12–3154)↩