751S.00/11–3054: Telegram

The Consul General at Algiers ( Clark ) to the Department of State 1

confidential

34. Mytel 26 of November 152 obviously unduly alarming. Have canvassed situation with informed businessmen, French officials and Governor General and can find no expectation major political developments near future. Except in Aures, tension has lessened and situation is calm. Without exception, everyone consulted anticipates continued progress toward stabilization (see General Munson’s report mytel 33 November 30).3 Governor General told me there is some fear that prospective release militant nationalists arrested but not charged may eventually result difficulties but there is every belief they will require time before action. Also in Oran there are known terrorist groups which have not yet acted and which are being watched. As Vaujour, Director Security,4 said to Assembly, there are dangerous men still [Page 399] underground who are seeking to regroup and reorganize with increased fanaticism because their orders, arms, money and leadership come from abroad. Governor General mentioned this regard meeting directors terrorist activity North Africa he said took place Tangiers past few days. He remarked upon material improvement situation past two weeks and said that although isolated terroristic activity may be expected to continue on diminishing and unalarming scale his principal worry was of assassinations which, while not as serious as communications stoppages, had greater psychological effect on natives who are by nature a nervous people. Except for assassinations, he expressed confidence order could be maintained.

Government is thoroughly alerted, is taking extraordinary measures to assure public safety and has achieved what amounts to vote of confidence from Algerian Assembly. Similar pattern may be anticipated in National Assembly debate scheduled December 10, particularly as Chevalier, an Algerian and Secretary State War, should be able to control his colonial colleagues from Algeria. Colonials expected blow off steam as they did here but not try unseat Mendes-France. They demand general reprisal and repression while government remains firm that it will maintain order and punish guilty but will not be bludgeoned into inept action. As deterrent further terrorist activity French presence is being made more evident by considerable and widespread reinforcement military and police.

As I see picture therefore, and Governor General agrees with me, we will have comparative calm for immediate future punctured possible by isolated acts of terrorism and disturbed by continued military action in Aures, but no new coordinated nationalistic uprising. For present Nationalists have failed and the populace is not with them. In the long term much will depend upon the rapidity of the remedial measures, political as well as economic, taken by France. If France moves slowly toward needed reforms further organized Nationalist terrorism will be expedited. If she moves quickly and effectively will be delayed.

Understand Department’s hesitation under circumstances authorize my leave US now (Deptel Wirom 24, November 24).5 Would never consider leaving Algiers if there were likelihood major Nationalist uprisings. Am not of course infallible but am confident that taking leave at this time would not be detrimental US interests. Furthermore would be Washington and could always return Algiers within 24 hours. Accordingly request reconsideration and requisite leave authorization.

Clark
  1. This telegram was repeated to Paris, Rabat, Tunis, Tangier, and Cairo.
  2. Not printed. It reported that the appearance of modern foreign weapons in Kabylie suggested that either arms were still moving into Algeria, or else the Nov. 1 attacks had been launched with the least trained and most expendable elements, saving the better men and weapons for the second round. Either alternative would indicate that the terrorists were better organized than the French would admit. (751S.00/11–1554)
  3. Not printed; it transmitted a summary of the military situation in Algeria. The French Army had 60,000 troops there, with reinforcements expected in the near future. The northwest half of Aures was reportedly cleared, with 10 light battalions converging on the southeast sector. (751S.00/11–3054)
  4. Jean Vaujour, Director General of Security in Algeria from November 1953.
  5. Not printed.