772.00/3–2552: Telegram

The Consul General at Tunis ( Jernegan ) to the Department of State 1

secret priority

124. Min Public Health Ben Salem called unannounced at my house today at 2 p.m. saying he had just come from Bey’s palace and wanted tell me privately of serious polit development which had just occurred.

[Page 694]

Substance his statements was: 1. Res Gen had attempted arrange private interview with Bey to present reform program. Through his son Chedly, Bey had refused. Hauteclocque, therefore saw Bey this morning at 11:30 in presence of full Cabinet except for two Mins still in Paris.

2. Res Gen told Bey he had with him full reform program but wld not present it for discussion unless present Cabinet dismissed from office because it was responsible for recent violence Tunisia. Bey said this impossible. Hauteclocque thereupon said that as representative Fr Govt he “demanded” dismissal of Cabinet by three o’clock this afternoon. Failing such action he wld be forced take “strong measures” and responsibility wld fall on Bey.

3. Bey and Cabinet determined stand fast. Tels have been prepared and will be delivered to Residency today rejecting demand and protesting to Fr Govt against tone and language used by Res Gen.

4. Cabinet Mins prepared for worst. Consider it likely they will be arrested and even possibly executed. (Ben Salem left me hurriedly in order, he said, to arrange his personal affairs before three o’clock.)

5. Pri Min whom Fr want substitute for Chenik is Gen Hayder, Mayor of Tunis, generally considered Fr stooge. Other members cabinet wld be in same category. According Ben Salem, such group wld not last 24 hours in office unless its members were constantly escorted by tanks.

6. If Fr wld agree to gen principles of Tun requests and present proposals along that line to present Cabinet, Chenik and other Mins wld be prepared resign immed and let negots be conducted by different leaders (presumably not Hayder, however).

Ben Salem seemed highly indignant, especially at delivery of threatening ultimatum to Sovereign and at charge that Cabinet responsible for Tun troubles. Insisted Fr have been pursuing inhuman policy of violence including murder, rape, robbery, destruction and unjustified arrest and imprisonment of Tuns. Spoke bitterly against Res Gen. Asserted, in strictest confidence, that latter yesterday sent personal note to Pri Min Chenik warning him that if he did not resign developments wld occur which wld endanger health of his son (who is seriously ill). This interpreted by Chenik to mean he himself and other members his family might be arrested or otherwise molested. Ben Salem expressed view US shld intervene to moderate Fr attitude. Said it seemed inconceivable we cld permit naked [force?] to rule in world in 1952. I replied my function was that of observer, I was always glad obtain info re current events but I cld not speak for my govt or forecast its attitude toward any given question.

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I have appointment see Hauteclocque tomorrow and hope get Fr version then.

Jernegan
  1. This telegram was repeated to Paris and Naples for Unger.