772.11/4–1953: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State1
5563. Paris papers April 18 carry text of two notes Bey reportedly addressed to Prime Minister Baccouche. April 2 note complains that caids, Khahfaliks and Kahias named by simple ministerial letter without Bey’s knowledge which constitutes attack on his sovereign prerogatives. States Bey cannot accept Minister of State’s excuse that such action was result presidential pressure. Requests Baccouche bring end to such machinations and to protest if allegations of Minister of State not without foundation. April 16 note comments that in sealing decrees “under conditions which you know” relating to organization of elections, Bey thought government would relax severity of state of siege during election period to permit holding of public meetings, exchange of ideas and free expression of voters. States that complaints received of arrests and pressures brought on voters indicates nothing has been done in this direction. Accordingly, requests Baccouche take necessary measures as quickly as possible.
Re above, Basdevant, Foreign Office tells us: 1. Foreign Office naturally not pleased over notes but not unduly disturbed. Realizes road ahead has many obstacles but is determined persevere in efforts to establish institutions such as caidal and municipal councils which will provide better gauge of Tunisian opinion than Neo Destour or Beylical entourage.
[Page 863]2. Foreign Office very pleased with results of elections to date. As of evening April 17, voting was averaging 58 percent of electorate. In its view, April 16 note is Neo Destour maneuver to discredit elections and reflects latter’s failure to obtain high rate of abstention in voting.
3. Bey easily influenced. Taharbenamar, President Tunisian Chamber Agriculture, who recently returned to Tunis from Paris may have been key figure in maneuver and may well have led Bey to believe that Paris circles, including Foreign Office, favored postponement of elections. This is not an impression he could have derived from his Foreign Office contacts as Foreign Office has steadfastly opposed postponement.
4. Re statements in April 16 note:
- (a)
- Residency reports to Foreign Office have not even mentioned arrests and have emphasized calm prevailing in election centers. Foreign Office does not doubt that some arrests have taken place but on very limited scale.
- (b)
- Reference to sealing decrees “under conditions which you know” probably intended to suggest French pressure. If this is case, strange that Bey has not raised issue before this since he has signed not one but a number of decrees concerning elections over a period of several months.
- (c)
- No commitments made to Bey re relaxing of state of siege.
- (d)
- Foreign Office has various evidences that Neo Destour has been threatening voters.
5. Re April 2 note, various caidal posts have been made vacant by resignations, illnesses, etc. When definitive appointments are made Bey will be consulted. Posts at present filled by temporary substitutes without reference to Bey, following usual procedure.
6. New developments have not changed Foreign Office position on either caidal or municipal council elections.
They will proceed as scheduled.
- This telegram was repeated to Tunis.↩