740.0011 European War 1939/19291: Telegram
The Consul General at Casablanca (Russell) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 7—3:40 a.m.]
70. From Murphy. During the past few days I have discussed the political and economic situation in French Morocco with a number of French officials including Generals Noguès51 and Béthouart,52 Director of Supply Bataille, Director of Public Works Normandin, Director of Public Security Herviot and others. There is an undercurrent of tension regarding pending American intervention. I find no anxiety over the rumors of an imminent Axis intrusion. My contacts state that the German Armistice Commission personnel has never been less active. Civilian delegate Theodore Auer who is now duly accredited as Consul General at Casablanca and his assistant Counselor of Legation Sonnenhol assigned as Consul continue to [Page 242] evince an active interest in American activities. Auer just returned from Southern Morocco, yesterday registered with the diplomatic officer at Rabat a complaint against the activity of American consular agents who he charges are distributing tracts and conducting unauthorized propaganda activity in this area. Noguès said that he was obliged also to complain about a recent unauthorized visit made to the new naval aviation field now under construction at Port Lyautey by our Military Attaché in Tangier53 who was accompanied by Vice Consul Culbert.
Noguès said that he has constantly refused permission to the Germans to visit the field which he said is regularly photographed from the air by British planes. I took pains to assure Noguès that Bentley believed he was welcome as he had gone there to pay his respects to the commanding officer; that we make every effort to comply scrupulously with the rules as we feel we can count on French officials in this area for friendly cooperation. Noguès plans to visit the Spanish High Commissioner Orgaz54 in Spanish Morocco today. He said he had no worries regarding Spanish intentions and that his present visit is simply a return courtesy call. Noguès professed to be easier in his mind than he has been for months regarding the Germans.
General Béthouart (now commanding the Division of Casablanca) on whom Weygand depended for the execution of restrictions against the German Armistice Commission discussed generally the weakness of the French military position and the need for immediate supplies in the event of German intrusion. I was disappointed however in his refusal to discuss more detailed plans in this respect as several of his aides have intimated that he wished to do so. I believe however that we can count on his support in the event of a crisis and he wishes to continue in contact with us.
Béthouart said he believed we could boost our stock enormously if we would have the courage to send a modest quantity of gasoline to the French Military in this zone which would enable the French to exercise their pilots and tank units. I find this suggestion worthy of study; it would give our control of fliers [control officers] added entry to French military circles and generally improve our status.
The economic picture is decidedly unfavorable. Criticism of the French administration is mounting in the European business community and among the Arabs.
It is the consensus of opinion of the friendly elements with whom we are in contact that Libya remains the key to the future in French North Africa. With each day of British reverses in Libya, confidence [Page 243] in British ability to win on the land decreases. Several prominent officials including Ambassador Corbin55 say that until there is an Allied success in Libya our efforts to further resistance to the Axis and build up sentiment for resumption of hostilities are hopelessly handicapped. The question arises, referring to Prime Minister Churchill’s56 recent statement in the House of Commons, why after 2½ years of war the Allies are able only to put into action 45,000 men in such a major theatre as Libya. British success there coupled with the encouraging news from the Russian front would provide an impetus to right-minded elements here; without it sentiment grows that England is saving her manpower and that we are maneuvering the French into fighting the battle for the British.
These contacts state also that German propaganda among the Arabs and particularly the Berbers in this area is fortified by above factor and is making definite progress to a point where considerable native element may now be considered Germanophile. This development I am told is in part due to the unfavorable economic situation as well as to the discouragement of and loss of confidence in Vichy’s policies by a great many local French administrators of native affairs.
Repeated to Vichy. Text to Tangier by courier. [Murphy.]
- Gen. Albert Noguès, Resident General in the French Zone of Morocco.↩
- Gen. Emile-Marie Béthouart, Commander of the Casablanca Division.↩
- Lt. Col. William C. Bentley, Jr.↩
- Gen. Luis Orgaz.↩
- Charles Corbin, French Ambassador in the United Kingdom 1933–40; he had resigned from the French Foreign Service on June 30, 1940.↩
- Winston S. Churchill, British Prime Minister.↩