771.00/8–1253: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State1

secret priority

541. Embtel 535 to Department, August 112 repeated Rabat 9, Casablanca 3 and Tangier 6.

Marchal gave us at noon today following account of most recent developments in Moroccan situation:

1.
Following meeting Council of Minister’s “strong instructions” have gone to De Blesson to endeavor to prevent Glaoui action to proclaim new Sultan. Unfortunately, Guillaume, whose influence on situation would be much greater, left Vichy a day or so ago enroute to his homeplace in the Hautes-Alpes and government does not yet know, due PTT strike, whether Guillaume has yet received its telegraphic [Page 615] instruction to him to proceed immediately to nearest military airfield and return Paris by plane. Decisive moment should be reached tomorrow night when, it is understood, Glaoui plans issue proclamation naming new Sultan. If he does so, despite Fr Govt. pressure, civil strife certain to follow. Glaoui being supported by certain French circles who believe misguidedly they are acting in best interests France and Morocco.
2.
In reply to query what action French Government would take in event Glaoui does issue proclamation, Marchal said somewhat dispiritedly that he did not yet know. He added that French Government would, of course, have to use force to put down any disorder.

Throughout conversation Marchal gave appearance being deeply concerned over situation which today is being reported in press including text Sultan’s appeal to French Government. Latter being made subject of separate message.3

Dillon
  1. This telegram was repeated to Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier.
  2. Not printed; it reported rumors that Glaoui was planning a coup d’état against the Sultan. The Embassy suggested the U.S. military commanders in Morocco should be informed, as the Sultan’s followers were certain to riot if he were deposed. (771.00/8–1153)
  3. Rabat despatch 50, Aug. 13, transmitted the text of the Sultan’s communiqué of Aug. 11 to the French Government. The Sultan said that French authorities were encouraging opposition to him, and he appealed to the French President to stop the campaign to overthrow legitimate authority. (771.00/8–1353)