881.00/2767: Telegram
The Consul at Rabat (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 30—3:51 a.m.]
9. See my A–8, January 21.43 Following arrest last night Nationalist leaders Balafrej and Lyazidi throng of natives gathered before Sultan’s palace 11 a.m. today and seized and assaulted Si Mohammed Memmeri, Chief of Protocol, as he was about to enter palace. Injuries reported serious.
Arrest above leaders coming as climax to detention of certain Nationalists at Marrakech and Oudja during this week probable incitation to crowd to attack Memmeri because of role of modulation (moderation?] he played during recent agitation.
Troops stationed within and at entrances of Medina44 since noon have had encounters with natives; reports so far indicate small number of injuries both sides and possibly some deaths, but details lacking. No indications that manifestations have assumed alarming proportions. Diplomatic Cabinet takes deprecatory attitude as to seriousness of situation.
To Department, repeated Algiers as No. 8, Tangier as 7, true copies to Casablanca and Tunis.