771.00/2–1053

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director, Office of African Affairs (Utter)

confidential

Subject:

  • French Reforms in Morocco.

Participants:

  • Gabriel van Laethem, First Secretary, French Embassy
  • John E. Utter, AF

On his return from a holiday in Europe which included a fortnight’s visit to Morocco, Mr. van Laethem called to give me his views on the present political situation in Morocco.

Mr. van Laethem said that since the “defeat of the Moroccans’ attempt to arouse the United Nations on their behalf” calm had returned to the Protectorate. He said that he had discussed the present situation with most of the top officials in the Residency at Rabat, although he was unable to see General Guillaume who was absent in Paris. The general impression which he gathered was that steps toward the instituting of reforms must be taken at once and without further delay. Therefore, if the Sultan himself did not wish to cooperate by signing the necessary dahirs, the French would move forward by Residential decree. The program which he outlined to me was an acceleration of the establishment of local assemblies and preparation for the setting up of regional assemblies as rapidly as possible. This was considered the best way to form Moroccans in democratic processes and in developing a body of men who would eventually be in a position to take over affairs in the central government.

A plan is evidently under consideration in Rabat to start djemaa-like organizations in the various industries and mines in Morocco which would be the equivalent of trades unions. This, Mr. van Laethem said, was to insure that such organizations would not be politically inspired and dominated by the Istiqlal, but would be truly representative and devoted to the betterment of the living standards of the workmen.

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The third reform, which was long overdue, was the modernization of the judiciary. Mr. van Laethem said that provision must be made for appeal against the arbitrary decisions of the Caids and the Pashas.

Mr. van Laethem said that he found a full realization among the French officials of the necessity for housing the many Moroccans who had swarmed to such centers as Casablanca and Port Lyautey. Already, he said, projects are underway for constructing simple dwellings for workmen in the Casablanca region and the Government is urging private industries to play their part as far as possible in this undertaking.

Relations between the Resident General and the Sultan, according to Mr. van Laethem, had been better since the Moroccan ruler realized that appeals to the United Nations were of no avail.