772.00/10–154: Telegram
The Consul General at Tunis (Hughes) to the Department of State
21. Estimate present situation by Minister Seydoux:
- 1.
Paris negotiations proceeding rapidly to agreement general principles but delays result when unconfident Tunisians faced with details of agreement. Because unprepared they become suspicious and journey to Bourguiba and Ben Youssef for approval.
French and Tunisian public will not be informed of agreed conventions until negotiations completed else negotiators particularly Tunisians risk extremist intimidation delaying signature.
- 2.
- Local French showing more conciliatory attitude toward internal autonomy. Even die-hard colonists seem accept loss of privileges and power as inevitable price of remaining here but attitude easily changed in event anti-French demonstrations ensue.
- 3.
Resident General moving gingerly against Fellagah to avoid prejudice reform negotiations. Although able wipe out [garble] Fellagah he fears repercussions and proposes use suasion and threats until hand is forced.
Seydoux averted to alleged Fellagah training in Tripolitania implying belief in some evidence and offered supply me with all factual data available.
[Page 896]He hinted at British connivance while stating financial and moral support doubtless supplied Fellagah by Arab League and said no proof Communist aid. He asked whether he had such reports. I said no re British and only rumors on League and Communists.
- 4.
- Resident General emphasized one important objective his job here is maintain closest possible relations with me there at assuring that State Department currently informed of true French intentions in Tunisia. He felt that US attitude will weigh heavily in outcome of Tunisian experiment which may set precedent for Morocco.
Opposed to Seydoux opinion one prominent Neo-Destour sympathizer told me yesterday that attitude local French still uncompromising and overbearing, that officials are filling all possible jobs with Frenchmen instead of beginning train Tunisians, that Fellagah would cease operations if French stopped pursuit and might surrender arms to mixed commission but never to French military and that Fellagah are still supported by nationalists constitution only strength to rely on if negotiations fail. That may be reason Destour controlled government has not moved to stop Fellagah. He admitted some aid from Arab League and from Tripoli but certain of no Communist aid which rejected many times by Fellagah supporters.