772.00/9–2753: Telegram
The Consul General at Tunis (Hughes) to the Department of State1
36. New Resident General Voizard2 in maiden speech to Bey yesterday and before government officials and foreign representatives at Residency reception today expressed confidence that vexing problems could be solved and unrest allayed by mutual French and Tunisian effort and good will.
While moderate and conciliatory tenor of speeches anticipated, warmth of Voizard’s reception by Bey and Tunis officials after twenty months of increasing coolness indicated high Tunisian hopes that Voizard’s words would be followed by proofs.
[Page 871]Most significant note was Voizard’s use of phrase “Tunisian sovereignty” in describing atmosphere in which France intends to pursue the harmonious evolution of Tunisian institutions. Phrase avoided by predecessor.
Whether Voizard’s advent means major change in French policy cannot yet be determined. At least he was well received without untoward incident.
- This telegram was repeated to Paris, Algiers, Cairo, Rabat, Tripoli, Tangier, and Rome.↩
- Despatch 796 from Paris, Sept. 16, reported that on Sept. 2 the French Council of Ministers had approved the appointment of Pierre Voizard as the new Resident General of Tunisia. Voizard had been Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco. (772.11/9–1653)↩