772.00/3–2752: Telegram

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

secret

5910. At presentation of my credentials this morning Min Fon Aff stated Fr Govt most anxious to keep us fully informed re Tunisia developments. Later Maurice Schumann gave Bonsal fol info.

Schumann confirmed reports already received from Tunis, especially Tunis tel 106 Mar 26 rptd Dept 127.2 He said that, while Hauteclocque had not been specifically authorized to arrest mins and move them south, govt wld in Assembly and publicly back him up. He added reply to Bey’s message to Auriol was being flown to Tunis this afternoon. He expressed strong hope Bey freed from extremist pressures, wld be able to find suitable mins. He reiterated he wld keep Emb fully informed of all developments.

Schumann again insisted on “bold” nature of proposed reform program (Embtel 5851 Mar 25,3 rptd Tunis 143 Rabat and Tangier by pouch). Bonsal remarked that, without passing upon Hauteclocque’s actions vis-à-vis Chenik and Co, it was certainly regrettable these actions had coincided with presentation of reform program and had, in fact, completely drawn public and press attn away from reform program. To this Schumann rejoined, that he assumed Hauteclocque had felt he cld not hold his hand. Schumann added Fr SC reps will be fully informed.

Schumann confirmed that two Tunisian mins who had been in Paris since UNGA have proceeded to Switz whence Schumann believes they will go to Cairo. He was concerned at action of Fr auths in permitting their departure. Schumann stated he was preparing statement to be made by Pinay in Assembly if necessary on this subj.

As is shown by special press round-up sent today, there is considerable uneasiness in Socialist circles and perhaps also in MRP, the party of both Robert Schuman and Maurice Schumann, at Hauteclocque’s actions. However, Maurice Schumann made it clear that in spite of [Page 700] fact that Hauteclocque’s action took govt by surprise, govt expected to back him and he stressed highly confidential nature of his statement to Bonsal on this subj.

Schumann also expressed familiar sentiments re importance of Fr position in North Africa and Fr Govt’s confidence that France’s allies will support her. Bonsal replied that arrests of Mins wld undoubtedly encourage and stimulate abroad criticism of Fr actions and reiterated hope for prompt favorable developments.

Dunn
  1. This telegram was repeated to Tunis, London, and Rabat.
  2. Ante, p. 696.
  3. Ante, p. 695.