865.01/1075: Telegram
The Chargé at Algiers (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
537. From Reinhardt. Reber reports that last night a circular, numbered 1, from the Executive Junta was being circulated in Naples and reached several American and British correspondents. It was addressed to all employees and officials of the State, administrations and organizations, to be distributed by the provincial Committees of National Liberation and contained the allegation that because he failed to abdicate in response to the request of the Bari Congress the King has rebelled against the nation. The circular calls upon all officials and personnel of all state organizations, administrations and bodies both military and civil, “not to participate in rebellion of the King and his accomplices”. It was clear that the circular constitutes an incitement to civil disobedience or even revolt although it did not [sic] say that all persons should remain at their posts in the service of the nation which has now resumed the exercise of its sovereign powers.
In view of the foregoing and with the approval of the CinC61 the Allied Control Commission imposed a complete censorship stoppage on military grounds. It appears however that AP correspondent had already filed a story based on the circular which may have been stopped. The AP office has protested against this censorship but it should be understood that the censorship was imposed not on political grounds but for reasons of military security.
[Page 1031]The CinC has informed the Junta that he cannot permit such encouragements to disorder.
A further report on the situation will be submitted later. [Reinhardt.]
- Commander in Chief.↩