881.00/2537: Telegram
The Consul General at Casablanca (Russell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:55 p.m.]
166. Department’s 127, May 5, 1 p.m. I have had only two interviews with Glaoui on political matters: The first was reported to Department in my 892, December 10, noon, last,44 the other, which is probably the basis of the report, to Mr. Murphy45 by my 12, January 9, noon. By some clerical oversight this telegram was not repeated to Department as I have just verified. This telegram reads as follows:
“I had another interview with Hadj Thami el-Glaoui, Pasha of Marrakech. Following matters were conveyed to me from the Sultan by him.
- (1)
- Sultan again emphasized his total interest and sympathy with United Nations’ cause.
- (2)
- Sultan also emphasized that a constant barrage of anti-American propaganda is directed against him by the Residency. Lemaire the successor of Marchal as Shereefian Counsellor is worst offender in this respect constantly bringing to Sultan stories of alleged American outrages against natives. Sultan does not believe these and 2 days ago told Lemaire not to come to see him any more except on strict business.
- (3)
- Sultan urges establishment of high ranking American diplomatic officer at Rabat as he wants more contact with American Government and greater contact between nationals of both countries as ground for future collaboration after war. (Naturally I did not tell Glaoui how difficult would be establishment of such officer at Rabat in view of present political set up. I simply mention what the Sultan said as interesting sidelight on his political ideas.)
- (4)
- Sultan said he had sometime ago raised question of inviting American officers to a banquet, but that Residency had not yet replied. He stated his intention of raising question again shortly.
- (5)
- Sultan was rather hurt that the condolences of General Patton46 regarding native victims of Casablanca bombing of December 31 were addressed to Pasha here rather than to His Majesty whose subjects they were. He indicated that it was still not too late for an American official delegation to visit him to express condolences which would give him opportunity to extend banquet invitation to American officers even if Residency officials were present at interview. He added that even such sad occasions could be made opportunities for contacts between him and American representatives. (I simply repeat without comment the message as received.)
- (6)
- Sultan who is very jealous of sovereign status of Morocco as compared with Algeria spoke with dislike of recent action of French High Commission in naming Troncas Director for Finances of the two countries which seemed to disregard and derogate from the special status of Morocco as protectorate.”
It was my full intention to have this repeated as I fully realized that the material therein would be interesting to Department.
At the time of the interview I told Glaoui this would be repeated to appropriate American authorities. Since that interview I have only met him socially and have discussed no political matters. Therefore, his statement that I informed him subsequently of favorable reception in Washington of Sultan’s proposals is absolutely untrue. I have been too long in the service to commit such an error and, furthermore, my telegram shows my reaction to the proposals at the time. Furthermore, I fully agree with the Department’s disfavor of any change and with the attitude of the British Foreign Office.
Unfortunately the British Consul General who originally reported the conversation with Glaoui has been transferred recently to Cairo so that it is impossible to confer with him. I shall, however, see his successor and emphasize the lack of truth in the Glaoui’s statement that I reported a favorable reception at Washington of the Sultan’s proposals.
Repeated to Rabat and Tangier.