Ask the Scholar

Page 78 of 78
I can add historical knowledge about this page.

Page image

Page 78

OCR

COPY NO. 1 FOR THE PRESIDENT SECRET OF THE UNITED STATES FRENCH NORTH AFRICA INTELLIGENCE CHS OFF GENCY SR-36 Published 28 November 1950 inamin THE ARGNIVES NE AMAYO RECORDS YES SERVICE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY DECLASSIFIED S.O. 116S2. Sec. 3(B) and 50D) or de C.I.A. 6-13-74 I letter WHET-AL WARE Detec 7.5.78 SECRET WARNING This document contains information affecting the na- tional defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Act, 50 U.S.C., 31 and 32, as amended. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. DISSEMINATION NOTICE 1. This copy of this publication is for the information and use of the recipient designated on the front cover and of individuals under the jurisdiction of the recipient's office who require the information for the performance of their official duties. Further dissemination elsewhere in the department to other offices which require the informa- tion for the performance of official duties may be authorized by the following: a. Special Assistant to the Secretary of State for Intelligence, for the Depart- ment of State b. Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, for the Department of the Army c. Director of Naval Intelligence, for the Department of the Navy d. Director of Intelligence, USAF, for the Department of the Air Force e. Director of Intelligence, AEC, for the Atomic Energy Commission f. Deputy Director for Intelligence, Joint Staff, for the Joint Staff g. Assistant Director for Collection and Dissemination, CIA, for any other Department or Agency 2. This copy may be either retained or destroyed by burning in accordance with applicable security regulations, or returned to the Central Intelligence Agency by ar- rangement with the Office of Collection and Dissemination, CIA. TRUMAN Angyn "NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS LIBRARY SERVICE" GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTION (SR Series) : Office of the President National Security Council National Security Resources Board Department of State Office of Secretary of Defense Department of the Army Department of the Navy Department of the Air Force Atomic Energy Commission Joint Chiefs of Staff Federal Bureau of Investigation Research and Development Board Munitions Board Industrial College of the Armed Forces ET SR-36 FRENCH NORTH AFRICA TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY CHAPTER I-POLITICAL SITUATION 1. GENESIS OF PRESENT POLITICAL SYSTEM; CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE PRESENCE OF FRANCE IN NORTH AFRICA 3 2. THE PRESENT POLITICAL SYSTEM 5 a. Algeria 5 b. Tunisia 8 c. Morocco 12 d. Committee for the Liberation of North Africa 16 3. STABILITY OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 17 CHAPTER II-ECONOMIC SITUATION 1. GENESIS OF THE PRESENT ECONOMIC SYSTEM 19 2. THE PRESENT ECONOMIC SITUATION 19 a. Agriculture 19 b. Mineral Resources 24 c. Industry 26 d. Finance 27 e. International Trade 31 CHAPTER III-FOREIGN AFFAIRS 1. GENESIS OF PRESENT FOREIGN POLICIES 37 2. SIGNIFICANT RELATIONS WITH OTHER NATIONS 37 3. SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL ISSUES 37 CHAPTER IV-MILITARY SITUATION 1. GENESIS OF PRESENT MILITARY POLICIES 39 2. STRENGTH AND DISPOSITION OF THE ARMED FORCES 39 a. Army 39 b. Navy 40 c. Air Force 40 d. Police and Security Forces 41 3. WAR POTENTIAL 41 a. Manpower 41 b. Industry and Natural Resources 41 c. Science 41 4. MILITARY INTENTIONS AND CAPABILITIES 42 SECRET CHAPTER V-STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING US SECURITY 43 CHAPTER VI-FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING US SECURITY 45 CHAPTER VII-THE FEZZAN 1. THE LAND AND PEOPLE 47 2. FRENCH ADMINISTRATION 47 3. TRADE 48 4. FUTURE STATUS 48 MAP: Terrain Regions APPENDIX A-Terrain and Climate 49 APPENDIX B-Communications 55 APPENDIX C-Population 61 APPENDIX D-Biographies 63 APPENDIX E-Chronology of Significant Events 69 LIST OF GRAPHICS French North Africa facing 1 Organization of the Government of Algeria facing 6 Distribution of Seats in the Renewed Half of the General Councils 8 Organization of the Government of Tunisia facing 9 Organization of the Government of French Morocco facing 12 Land Use 20 Comparative Yields 21 North African Herds 23 Money in Circulation 28 Outstanding Bank Loans in Morocco 29 ECA Aid to French North Africa 35 C SECRET FRENCH NORTH AFRICA AREA COMPARISON AND ARABLE LAND - A R E q FRANCE S A H A R A D E S E RT ARABLE LAND SECRET WE 150 SUMMARY French North Africa is, to all intents and Party, also exists in each area, and has been purposes, a political appendage of metropoli- unsuccessful in efforts to form a united front tan France, which provides its foreign policy, with the nationalists. Neither the national- military security, and over-all administration. ists nor the Communists have the cohesion, Even if these favorable circumstances did not means, and sustained drive that would be re- prevail, this region would possess a consider- quired in a successful effort against French able value to Western security because of its hegemony. location and vast extent. The standard of living of the native masses The area, which comprises Algeria, French would not decline catastrophically were the Morocco, and Tunisia, is five times as large as French to withdraw despite the fact that the metropolitan France. More than two-thirds French phase of the local economy has im- of the region is desert, which all but precludes proved substantially since World War II. invasion from the south, save by highly French policy now favors the development of trained, professional soldiers, such as those light industry and sources of electric power, who followed General Leclerc during World increased agricultural production, and a War II on his celebrated march through cen- search for subsoil deposits of petroleum and tral Africa to the Mareth Line in Tunisia. strategic minerals. Primarily for personal Aside from the widely scattered oases of the in- security reasons, much French capital has terior, the fertile land is confined to a narrow flowed into the area. ECA aid has contributed strip along the 2,000 miles of Mediterranean largely to industrial development. Of $96 and Atlantic shores. million in ECA aid reallocated to North Africa Nearly all of the 21 million inhabitants re- by France, more than half went into fuels, side in this verdant, and for the most part, machinery and equipment, while the balance mountainous area. Less than eight percent consisted of foodstuffs and other agricultural are Europeans while the balance is composed products and manufactured goods. These of Berbers and Arabs. The Berbers, who are imports reflect continuing gaps in the local the indigenous stock and constitute two-thirds productivity. of the native population, and the Arabs exist in An economic problem arises from the fact the primitive and impoverished economy that native populations, aided by modern med- which has characterized for centuries this as- icine and sanitation, are growing at the rate pect of Mediterranean culture. Their lives are of nearly two percent annually. Whether dominated by the exigencies of a rural environ- modern agriculture can increase production ment, and by the disciplines of the Moslem proportionately remains to be seen. religion. The location of French North Africa relative Small native nationalist movements in to the Eurasian land mass makes its denial to each area are a source of concern to the the USSR essential to the security of the At- administrations. Except for membership in lantic community. It affords a base for an ineffective Committee for the Liberation of launching military operations against Europe North Africa, located in Cairo, there appar- and for the protection of the western Medi- ently is no inter-area liaison or agreement terranean and its Atlantic approaches. The among the nationalist groups. A Communist military establishments in being are capable Party, subsidiary to the French Communist of rapid expansion, although they are at pres- Note: The intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Army, Navy, and the Air Force have concurred in this report. It is based on information available to CIA as of June 1950. 1 2 SECRET ent handicapped by shortages of skilled labor layed for some time because the French lack and inadequate industrial facilities. the funds to develop army, air, and naval Because the French anticipate that North bases. The Atlantic littoral of Morocco would Africa might, in the event of war, be neutral- retain substantial military value to the US, ized temporarily by the USSR, they are plan- even if the western Mediterranean were ren- ning to establish a focus of resistance in West dered untenable. Africa. Realization of the plans will be de- SECRET SECRET CHAPTER I POLITICAL SITUATION 1. Genesis of Present Political System: Circum- friendly relations between France and Ger- stances Leading to the Presence of France in many." Bismarck, intent upon the consolida- North Africa. tion of Germany and other designs in Europe, The area, known as French North Africa was gratified to see the French dissipating among the nations of the Atlantic community, their energies on African soil, and raised no is called the Maghreb, or "Western Land," objections to the creation of a French pro- tectorate over the Regency of Tunis.¹ throughout the Arab world. Among the an- cients, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia bore the Having gained this much, the French began Roman names Numidia, Mauretania, and planning an empire which would spread Africa, areas whose Mediterranean littoral was across North Africa from the Atlantic to the identified in the early nineteenth century as Nile. The celebrated Fashoda incident in a part of the Barbary Coast. September 1898 put an end, however, to the France's entry into this region followed the eastward realization of this dream. The French were forced to abandon Colonel Mar- Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), which ended France's hope of recovery of its former empire chand in the presence of an overwhelming lost during the preceding century in a series British force under General Kitchener, and of wars culminating with the defeat of Na- to drop further pretensions to what is now poleon. A new wave of Gallic imperialism the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The British, on rose during the ensuing fifteen years and the other hand, apprehensive of Germany's found an outlet in the vast, and hitherto growing power in Europe, did not offer further largely neglected, continent to the south. opposition to French expansion in Africa. In 1830 a French expeditionary force was Having been outmaneuvered on the Nile, the launched on the pretext of restoring order in French turned their attention to Morocco, "to Algeria, but shortly found itself engaged in protect Algeria from the West." During the full-scale warfare. The hitherto disunited latter part of the nineteenth century and up Arabs and Kabyle Berbers rallied under the until 1912, this state had been the victim of leadership of the fabulous Abd-el-Kader, the the violence of the many pretenders to its Sultan of Tlemcen. They dominated the field throne and native uprisings, of ruthless con- for seventeen years until French arms, suc- cession-hunters and, finally, of almost com- cessively under Generals Bugeaud (later Mar- plete financial and economic prostration. shal and Duc d'Isly), Lamoricière, and the French missionaries, settlers, and traders who Duc d'Aumale, were at last triumphant, and had been infiltrating the country for some Algeria became the nucleus of a new colonial time were not infrequently the objects of at- tack, so that about 1900 they began to en- empire. treat Paris for protection. French troops in Following the conquest of Algeria, martial increasing numbers were sent to Morocco in adventure on the Dark Continent became order to "establish order," a task which they fashionable. Fortunately for France the con- performed SO effectively that in 1912 the Sul- quest of Tunisia in 1881, "to protect Algeria from the east," was little more than a military ¹Tunisia is still referred to as the Regency of parade led by General Boulanger, a political Tunis, a usage that persists from the time of Turk- opportunist who was viewed by Bismarck as ish rule (1705) when the Bey of Tunis was a Prince "the greatest political obstacle to continued Regent for the Sultan in Constantinople. SECRET 3 4 tan was obliged to sign the Treaty of Fez. gree of industrialization, as well as decentrali- This instrument placed the country under zation and a considerable local self-adminis- French protection and gave the great colonial tration for each area. This Conference laid administrator, Marshal (then General) Lyau- plans for improving the social and economic tey an ample field for the exercise of his tal- lot of native peoples, and, when the De Gaulle ents. He not only succeeded in pacifying the Government was transferred to Paris, some area, but also in preserving it for France dur- steps were taken. ing the first World War. De Gaulle was cautious, however, in the The Treaty of Fez (1912) completed France's matter of self-rule. A Committee on Overseas dominion over a land area which extends 1,450 France was set up to explore the colonial prob- air miles from Cape Noun on the Atlantic lem, and finally recommended a curious blend Ocean to Cape Bon in the Mediterranean. of federalism and centralization in the form Save for its shallow coastal strip and widely of the "French Union," with membership scattered oases in the interior, this vast based on "free consent." This recommenda- stretch of land, which embraces parts of the tion was incorporated in the draft constitu- Sahara Desert in its southern reaches, is arid tion rejected in May 1946, but the phrase "free and inaccessible. consent" was omitted from the Constitution The problems which confronted French co- of the Fourth Republic as adopted in October lonial officials in Morocco in 1912 were gener- 1946. French attempts to draw the protec- torates of Morocco and Tunisia within the ally similar to those previously encountered French Union as "Associated States" have met in Tunisia and Algeria; the solutions developed along familiar and similar lines. The first with consistent opposition from the national- French step was to free the French Zone of ists, who demand autonomy. Morocco from all traces of international con- The fall of France in 1940 and the promises trol, starting with the establishment of a new of political independence implied in the At- judicial system for the purpose of abolishing lantic Charter and the Brazzaville Conference foreign capitulations which had been in exist- encouraged the nationalists in the three states ence since 1358. By 1930 every effective ves- to hope for the withdrawal of French control. tige of foreign privilege in French Morocco By late April 1945 nationalist feeling had be- had been eliminated, except that of the United come intense. On 8 May (VE-Day) a native States (established in 1787 and renewed in uprising occurred at Setif, Algeria. Between 1836) and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the 100 and 300 French were slain. Within a few United Kingdom (established in 1856). Re- days, Arab population centers in the vicinity forms were initiated in the administrative, had been bombed by French planes in reprisal; economic, financial, and military branches of and between 1,000 and 3,000 Arabs died. the government, many of which were greatly Fundamentally, the natives of French North retarded by the two World Wars. Africa have remained substantially unchanged After the fall of France in 1940, the Vichy for centuries. The French have imposed a Government, with the consent of the Nazis, veneer of European civilization on only a continued the forms and character of the small part of the urban populations. The French political administrations and military rural natives and the terrain over which they control in North Africa. After the area was are widely scattered have remained essentially liberated by the Allies, however, the De Gaulle untouched by their contact with Europeans. Government-in-Exile gave colonial policy a The political scene is deeply conditioned by new direction. In January 1944 Consultative illiteracy, extreme poverty, indifference, and Assembly debates on colonial problems dis- a relatively primitive outlook in the mass of cussed decentralization of administrative con- the people; on the upper levels there is more trol. Also in January 1944, the Brazzaville self-interest than a burning zeal for democ- Conference of colonial administrators recom- racy. Upon these disparate conditions the mended a federal assembly of French colonies, metropolitan French have imposed a paternal- a centrally planned economy, and a large de- istic and generally uniform modus vivendi. 5 2. The Present Political System. Decree of 1870, has not been assimilated cul- turally by the French. The Tunisian and Moroccan protectorates At that time there were many legal difficul- are viewed by the French as prospective As- ties which deterred any Moslem from attain- sociated States of the French Union; Algeria, ing a similar status. The chief of these was on the other hand, has the status of an Over- the requirement that he renounce Koranic seas Department in the French Republic and law, and place himself under the French judi- the French Union. It consists of the depart- cial system. Most Moslems preferred to re- ments of Oran, Algiers, and Constantine main under Koranic law. Until quite re- which, with certain exceptions, are adminis- cently only a few thousand had elected to tered much as metropolitan departments, and follow this alternative course, and these were of the Southern Territories which are still viewed with contempt by both the French and under military jurisdiction, although the Al- the natives. The overwhelming majority of gerian Statute provided for departmental status for them also. The Fezzan, a large but the population was left with few civil rights. sparsely populated area in adjacent Libya, is This situation was highly satisfactory to also under French military administration. most of the French minority residing in Al- geria. The most vehement of these are the a. Algeria. "colons," a group of large landowners who, de- Algeria enjoys a considerable range of civil spite their initiative and personal courage, are liberties. Press and radio are uncensored. distinguished for their reactionary political The 80-90 percent illiteracy of the people ideas. enables France to keep Algeria on a level of In 1944, however, General De Gaulle's civilization below that required for full demo- French Committee of National Liberation in cratic self-government. The nationalists are Algiers gave some 60,000 Moslems the right to demanding more extensive modern education, vote in the first college without requiring with a greater use of Arabic in the curriculum. that they renounce their rights under Koranic law. Simultaneously the number of natives The complacency with which France has re- empowered to choose local assemblies was in- garded its political and economic position in creased from 200,000 to 1,400,000, and the pro- Algeria is revealed by the fact that prior to portion of native representation in these as- Vincent Auriol's visit in 1949 only five chiefs semblies was raised from one-third to two- of the French State, including Napoleon III, fifths. had crossed the Mediterranean to inspect this On 20 September 1947 the Algerian Statute area. became effective by its passage in the National The French Government has followed pri- Assembly in Paris. The Statute stipulates marily a policy of assimilation in Algeria. A that Algeria shall continue to exist as three decree of 1848 declared that Algeria was an French departments under a semi-autono- integral part of French territory and per- mous administration in Algiers, which is en- mitted French citizens to send representatives dowed with civil responsibility and financial to the Constituent Assembly in Paris. At the autonomy. Although the Statute abolished same time the government began to set up the Southern Territories and "considered administrative organisms corresponding as them as departments," it was not until Feb- closely as possible to those in metropolitan ruary 1950 that the Algerian Assembly took France. The cultural assimilation of the Al- any action. At that time the Assembly ap- gerians was less successful because of the proved a resolution of the Government Gen- enormous differences in religion, language, eral to liquidate a portion of the Southern Ter- customs, and race which separate the Moslems ritories by extending the boundaries of the from the French. Except for the few upper three existing departments to the south. class Jews the Jewish minority (about two Until this action has been approved by the percent of the total population), which was National Assembly in Paris, these areas re- given full French citizenship by the Cremieux main under military jurisdiction. TCR E1 6 The Statute also provides for universal suf- The Assembly's principal function is discus- frage,¹ creates an Algerian Assembly and es- sion and approval of the Algerian budget, tablishes Arabic and French as official lan- after it has been drawn up by the Governor guages. The Statute, which is modified by General and before it is promulgated in Paris local usage, asserts that all citizens have by a decree of the Minister of the Interior, equality of opportunity and obligation in the countersigned by the Minister of Finance. public service, and enjoy the liberties and Both the Governor General and the Algerian rights of French citizens. Assembly can initiate expenditures. The As- (1) Government. sembly also elects six representatives to the A Governor General, who is subordinate to Assembly of the French Union at Versailles. the French Minister of the Interior, is ap- A superficial appearance of political equal- pointed for an indefinite term by the Presi- ity exists between the French and native rep- dent of the French Republic with the approval resentatives in the Assembly. Each group of the Council of Ministers. He is charged has 60 members. The two sections, or "col- with the administration of Algeria and main- leges," sit together and have equal rights. taining the constitutional rights and liberties Moreover, the presidency of the Assembly al- of the population. ternates annually between its two "colleges." The present Governor General is Marcel Ed- The term "the first electoral college" de- mond Naegelen,² a Socialist who has held of- nominates the eligible voters among the 1,000,- 000 Europeans and a small number of assimi- fice since February 1948. This official is aided lated natives who elect one-half of the Assem- by a Council of Government, the Algerian As- bly from their own ranks. The "second elec- sembly, an extensive civil service, and by his toral college," on the other hand, consists of civil and military aides and advisers. His the eligible voters among the 8,000,000 natives chief assistant is a General Secretary of Gov- who elect the balance of the Assembly. Thus, ernment of his own choice. (See accompany- ing chart.) although there are eight times as many na- tives as there are French and assimilés in A Council of Government, over which the Algeria, each group has the same number of Governor General presides, acts as a civilian representatives not only in the local body but cabinet; it is also charged with "watching over also in the French National Assembly and the the executions of the decisions of the Algerian Council of the Republic in Paris. Assembly." The President and one of the The political indifference of the native Al- Vice Presidents of the Assembly are auto- gerians is indicated by the fact that in the matically members of the Council, two others are appointed by the Governor General, and April 1948 elections for the Assembly, the 1,320,000 natives eligible to vote for candidates the remaining two are elected annually by the Assembly, one from each "college." to the "second college," cast only 39 percent of the total ballots; whereas the 612,500 eli- (2) Legislative Bodies. gible Europeans and assimilés cast 61 percent The members of the Algerian Assembly are of the total. elected for six years; half of the Assembly is In view of the skillful way in which the elected every three years. Their duties are French manipulate these elections, it is not primarily consultative. The effectiveness of altogether surprising that 103 of the 120 mem- the Algerian Assembly is curtailed by the fact bers elected were either Frenchmen or pro- that all of its measures must be approved by French Moslems, while only seventeen seats the French Government. were won by native nationalists. A single ¹Legally Moslem women, as French citizens, have This consultative body was created by the French the right to vote; as Algerians, however, their qual- Constitution of 1946 and came into being at the end ifications are subject to the Algerian Assembly, of 1947. Most questions regarding Overseas Terri- which has not yet fully implemented this provision. tories are submitted to the Assembly of the French 2 Because Naegelen is a member of the French Union for its opinion. Algeria is represented by National Assembly, his leave of absence is extended eighteen delegates, twelve of whom are elected by semi-annually by that body. the General Councils. SECRET SECRET ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ALGERIA Governor General Algerian Assembly Civil Cabinet Military Cabinet Secretary General of the Algerian Office Government in Paris Inspectors General of Cabinet Civil Service Control of Appropriated the Administration Planning Staff Inspection Expenditures Deputy Secretary General Deputy Secretary General of the Government for of the Government Economic Affairs Technical Public Health Social Hygiene Inspectors Commerce, Power Hydraulics General and Industry Public Works and Finance Labor Price Control Transportation Southern General Security Agriculture Supply Territories Interior and Legislation and Forests Maps Fine Arts Public Functions National Posts, Telegraph WE 250 Education and Telephones 7 Communist, a Frenchman, sits for Oran. criminal cases, however, French law has sole French control of the Assembly is further jurisdiction. In areas where a serious conflict guaranteed by a method of balloting which exists, Moslem law is gradually being modified can be invoked at the will of the Governor under French pressure; where French in- General, the Finance Committee, or one- fluence is at a minimum, such as in the Kabyle fourth of the Assembly. In this case, the regions inhabited by Moslem Berber tribes and balloting on a given measure is delayed for in the Southern Territories where the unor- 24 hours, at which time a two-thirds vote is thodox Mozabites, a special Islamic sect, dwell, required, unless a majority in each "college the ancient practices continue. of the Assembly" has been obtained. French courts, which follow the pattern of (3) Local Administration. those in metropolitan France, have jurisdic- The electoral inequality noted above is more tion over French nationals, Europeans, and as- marked on the cantonal level. Three-fifths of similated natives who have renounced their the 168 seats of the three General Councils¹ personal status under Moslem law. There is are filled by Europeans and two-fifths by a growing tendency for French tribunals to Moslems. expand their complex jurisdiction over the natives in an increasing number of civil in- Moslem European stances as well as in criminal cases. With the Councillors Councillors exception of the Courts of Assize, which con- Department of Oran 22 33 Department of Algiers 21 32 cern themselves only with serious criminal Department of Con- offenses, all French courts have both civil and stantine 25 35 criminal jurisdiction. - 68 100 (5) Political Parties. The same political parties exist in Algeria The Southern Territories are under military administration. The area is divided into "cir- as in metropolitan France, although rightist parties are, on the whole, more conservative. cumscriptions," "circles," annexes and posts, communes of "plein exercise," 2 mixed com- There are two nationalist parties, as well as munes and all-native communes, all of which certain pro-French native groups with legal are supervised by French native affairs offi- standing. cers and administrators. Ancient Arab tra- A political dichotomy results from the semi- ditional taxes and customs are in force, and colonial status and outlook of the French, on order is maintained by the picturesque camel the one hand, and the politically inert native corps. Plans are underway for integrating masses, on the other. The local scene is them into the existing departments. The As- further complicated by the multi-party setup. semblies in Paris and Algeria are faced with The "colons" dread a weakening of French au- the formulation of laws which will guide the thority in Algeria, and gravitate toward the change-over. right in support of anti-Communist and colo- nialist policies. The "colons" number, how- (4) Judicial System. ever, less than ten percent of the local Euro- The judicial branch of the Algerian Govern- pean population, but exert much more in- ment is dual, using both French and Moslem fluence than their numbers suggest. law. French law is under the direction of the The result of the cantonal elections of Ministry of Justice in Paris, while Moslem law March 1949 was to keep nationalist repre- descends from the Government General in sentation at a minimum; no Communists were Algiers. The two bodies of law frequently elected. As the following table shows, the overlap in civil and commercial matters; in second college elected an overwhelming ma- jority of pro-French Moslems. 1 The party affiliations of the candidates elected in March 1949 are shown on page 8. Nationalism. The general ineffectiveness 2 Communes with powers approximating those of of nationalists in Algeria is heightened by the a French commune. fact that the two movements-the Movement SECRET 8 DISTRIBUTION OF SEATS IN THE RENEWED HALF OF THE GENERAL COUNCILS (MARCH, 1949) FIRST COLLEGE SECOND COLLEGE Independent Republicans 15 Seats Franco-Moslem Union 9 Seats RPF and affiliated 13 Algerian Union 9 Radical Socialists 10 Independents 9 Independent Radicals 2 Socialists 2 MRP (Popular Republicans) 3 MRP 1 Socialists 4 Moslem Federation 1 Right Independents 2 UDMA 2 Independent 1 (Pro-Administration) TOTAL 50 TOTAL 33 WE 350 for the Triumph of Democratic Liberties tive culture, and the political apathy of the (MTLD), formerly the Algerian People's Party, population. and the Democratic Union of the Algerian (6) Labor. Manifesto (UDMA)-refuse to cooperate. There is now little difference in the long- Organized labor is the most effective Com- range aims of these groups: the MTLD aspires munist mass weapon in Algeria. The great- to complete independence from France even est number of unionized workers are grouped at the price of open violence; the UDMA be- into the three Departmental unions which are lieves that Algeria should achieve its inde- affiliated with the French CGT. A coordinat- pendence peacefully, its immediate aim being ing committee, made up of prominent Alge- to have Algeria declared an Associated State rian Communists, directs the three organiza- of the French Union. The MTLD is led by the tions. fiery and mystical Messali Hadj while the The leadership claims a total membership of UDMA is headed by the more moderate and 250,000, three-fourths of whom are Algerian Europeanized Ferhat Abbas. Since the na- natives; it is believed, however, that member- tionalists now control only fourteen percent ship is substantially less than 100,000. The of the seats in the Algerian Assembly, they CGT has concentrated its activity among are unable to exert a substantial effect on the dockers and railway and streetcar workers. local French administration. Strikes called by the CGT have not been Communism. The Algerian Communists notably successful, nor have the dockers been are numerically smaller than the native able to impede the movement of military parties but better organized and much noisier. materiel consigned to the Far East. The Party has concentrated most of its ef- b. Tunisia. forts on the poorer native and European labor (particularly dockers and utilities employees), The French found in Tunisia a relatively and in recent months has made an effort to well-developed, homogeneous native society attract segments of the native rural popula- and the remnants of a once-effective local gov- tion. The Party is led by Paul Caballero and ernment, which had formerly sworn fealty to Constantinople. This government had been Pierre Fayet who follow the line laid down in in the form of an absolute monarchy under a Moscow; it seeks closer association with the succession of sovereign Beys. native nationalists and advocates a general The French wisely availed themselves of policy of liberation for all dependent native this situation and retained a native shadow- populations. The Algerian Communists have government alongside their protectorate re- met with little success because they are faced gime. Under the Bardo Treaty (1881) and with almost insurmountable obstacles created the Marsa Convention (1883) the powers of by the Moslem faith, the primitive state of na- government, including the direction of for- ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF TUNISIA RESIDENT GENERAL BEY OF TUNIS Department of Public Security ( Policy-lawmaking ( Administration ) ( Technically CABINET COUNCIL responsible COUNCIL OF MINISTERS to Bey ) ( Moslems ) Secretary Prime Minister ( Prime Minister technically responsible to Bey) Prime Minister General ( Ministers ex-officio ) ( French) ( Moslems) ( French ) Asst. Sec. Secretary Interior Adviser Justice General General Asst. Sec. Public Works Justice Adviser Commerce General Director of Finance Public Health Adviser Public Health Finance Labor and Director of Education Agriculture Adviser Social Security Education Commerce and Adviser Agriculture Dir. P. T. & T. Handicrafts Labor and Commissioner of Adviser Social Security Reconstruction SECRET WE 450 ( French advisers responsible to Secretary General) 9 eign policy, rest with France. Nevertheless, will be noted, moreover, that when the Bey's the Bey of Tunis, under the control of France, Cabinet Council reaches a deadlock, the ques- retains as a legal fiction the powers attaching tion must be passed to the Resident General's to the exercise of sovereignty. Council of Ministers for solution. It will also The Bey is required by the Marsa Conven- be noted that all the Moslems, with the ex- tion to undertake any administrative, judicial, ception of the Prime Minister, who sit on the and financial reforms judged useful by the Council of Ministers are merely ex officio mem- French Government. bers of that body, and that each has a French Frenchmen and their descendants retain "adviser" who conforms the minister's activi- their French citizenship. Moslems and Jews ties to French policies. Each minister must are considered Tunisian nationals. Non- consult his adviser regarding the conduct of Tunisians may acquire French or Tunisian all affairs of his department, and all docu- nationality by naturalization. Any non-Mos- ments transmitted by the ministers to the lem born in Tunisia, at least one of whose par- Secretary General for implementation must ents was born in Tunisia, acquires French na- first be "certified" by the advisers. On the tionality at birth. According to the French other hand, the French members of the Bey's law of 20 December 1923, however, such na- Cabinet Council sit as full members of that tionality may be repudiated within a year body, and are not encumbered with Moslem after the attainment of majority. "advisers." This situation is, of course, highly (1) Government. irritating to Tunisian sensibilities. French political domination is not restricted The present native ruler is Lamine Pasha Bey, a close relative ¹ of Moncef Pasha Bey to these, the top organs of government. Tu- nisians are disenfranchised save for a rela- who was deposed by the French in 1943 and who has since died. tively small group of "notables," 2 who are France's chief representative in Tunisia is judged to be sufficiently reliable from the the Resident General. He is appointed by the French viewpoint. These individuals are al- lowed to join with the French residents in President of France upon the suggestion of the French Council of Ministers. His tenure electing persons to the Grand Council of Tu- nisia which consists of 53 French and 53 Tu- of office is at the pleasure of the French Gov- ernment. The present incumbent is Louis nisian members. This body, which occasion- Perillier, a career civil servant with Rightist ally reacts in its own self-interest, exercises tendencies. functions which are similar to, but even less The Resident General, who is responsible to vital than those of the Algerian Assembly. Tunisian notables also elect members to the the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acts as Foreign Minister for the Bey, and conducts rural Unit Councils and to the Municipal all external affairs. French military and Council of the city of Tunis. Other officials naval commanders in Tunisia are under his are appointed by the French authorities. orders. French control of the region, which has al- The accompanying chart illustrates the ways been rendered difficult by the shadowy and sometimes dual nature of the adminis- complexity imposed upon the Tunisian Gov- ernment by the fact that it is a protectorate. tration, has become even more difficult for the The native government is not allowed to make French because of increasing nationalism and policies or pass laws, but must administer the the high cost of military occupation, and be- measures laid down by the French after con- cause world opinion, exploited by USSR sultation with the Bey's ministers. The Resi- propaganda, favors independence for depend- dent General may, and does, veto native pro- ent peoples. posals which conflict with French aims. It As a result of these conditions, the French administration has made certain superficial 1 Succession is dynastic, rather than hereditary; and ineffective gestures to appease native the Regency throne has been occupied since the beginning of the eighteenth century (1705) by the : A group of natives who pay direct taxes, hold Hussein family. certain diplomas, or are veterans. 10 SECRET sentiment. An illustration is a decree pro- execution of the Marsa Convention; (2) ter- mulgated by the Resident General in April ritorial administration, Tunisian judiciary, 1948 creating a Mixed Delegation to sup- and Arabic language educational posts, re- plant the old Superior Council. In the served exclusively for Tunisian Moslems; and new body, which is derived from the (3) a variety of other posts open, at least in elected members of the Grand Council, the theory, equally to French and Tunisian na- French Government is not represented. The tionals. purpose of the Delegation is to afford a (3) Local Administration. medium whereby the French and native mem- The French exert a regulatory influence on bers of the Grand Council may continue to the lower orders of Tunisian society through work on problems on which that body has be- their Office of Native Affairs. Its represen- come deadlocked. The Delegation will also tatives usually work directly with native Tu- act on behalf of the Council, when it is not nisian officials and, under certain conditions, in session, in matters relating to the budget. with the people themselves. This phase of The decree, in other words, places in the hands the protectorate has been successful largely of elected Tunisian and French citizens powers because the French have used discrimination which had previously been under the guidance in making permanent appointments to this of French protectorate officials. service and because, as a result, these French On the whole, however, the actual control officials have a general reputation among the continues to center in the Resident General. natives for fairness and integrity. He is aided, as the chart shows, by a Secre- (4) Legislative Representation. tary General of Government, who is Minister The French minority of about 140,000 per- of Interior ex officio, and by French Directors sons, less than four percent of the population, responsible for Finance, Education, Public is represented in the French Council of the Works, all of whom are members of the Coun- Republic by two Councillors elected by bal- cil, and by the vital Department of Public lots mailed to Paris by French members of the Security, which is not represented on the Grand Council and French members of the Council. As has been pointed out, certain elected municipal councils. The Tunisians Moslem Ministers sit ex officio in this body. object to this representation in the Council The Bey's Cabinet Council parallels the of the Republic, and have refused participa- Resident General's Council of Ministers but tion in the assembly of the French Union. is concerned with the administration of the (5) Judicial System. regulations, laws, etc., which originate in the The judicial system, as in Algeria and Mo- French organization. The Moslem Prime rocco, is dual. French courts have jurisdic- Minister, who at present is Mustapha Kaak, is tion in all cases in which one of the con- the head of this body and is technically re- testing parties is a non-Tunisian, while Tuni- sponsible to the Bey. The French Secretary sian courts have authority when both litigants General also sits on this Cabinet Council and are Tunisians. The Tunisian secular courts is directly responsible to the Resident General. enforce both Moslem and French law. These Other French officials who are full members tribunals include cantonal magistracies, re- of this native body are shown on the chart. gional courts of the first instance, courts of It is of interest that laws do not become en- appeal, and the Court of Cassation. Tunisian forceable until they bear the seal of the Bey ecclesiastical courts, on the other hand, deal and are signed by the Resident General. By refusing to allow the use of his seal, the Bey with matters subject to Koranic law. Among the reforms introduced since the establish- has been able on rare occasions to exert al- ment of the protectorate are the codification most a veto power over French legislation. and modification of the civil and criminal pro- (2) Civil Service. cedure of the Tunisian secular courts. A Classified civil service consists of three cate- joint Tunisian Land Tribunal, responsible for gories: (1) supervisory posts, reserved ex- the registration of landed property, has ac- clusively for French citizens, pertaining to the complished a great deal toward the consolida- SECRET SECRET 11 tion of real estate property titles. A rabbin- directed Tunisian Committee for the Defense ical court exists at Tunis for persons subject of Peace was established in 1949 with a con- to Mosaic law. siderable Neo-Destour representation on its (6) Political Parties. directorate. Recently, Neo-Destourian mem- The Tunisians are more culturally advanced bers have openly expressed opposition to their and politically conscious than the natives of Communist colleagues. The chief appeal of the Communists for the nationalists is the the other French North African areas. Soviet catchline, "full and immediate inde- Nationalism. There are two nationalist pendence for all dependent colonial peoples," parties in Tunisia, both of which are legally which for French consumption has been wat- proscribed but are permitted to operate. The ered down to "early liberation." Old Destour (Constitution) and the Neo-Des- tour represent the desire of the Moslem popu- (7) Labor Organizations. lation for independence from France. These The two important labor unions in Tu- parties are relatively small, but incorporate nisia are the Communist-controlled USTT the natural and literate leadership of the (Syndical Union of Tunisian Workers) and Tunisian nation. the nationalist-dominated UGTT (General The Neo-Destour party, formed in 1934, is Union of Tunisian Workers). The Commu- an offshoot of the Old Destour party, and was nist-controlled USTT, led by Georges Poro- formed by young radicals who considered the pane and Hassan Sadaoui, has made repeated older members too pro-French. Although at attempts to incorporate the nationalist-domi- one time the Neo-Destourians supported the nated UGTT whose able leader, Farhat idea of local autonomy, a position similar to Hached, has had years of intensive training that of the Algerian UDMA, the party (under under French labor leadership. the active leadership of Habib Bourghiba and By the shrewd use of religious and nation- Salah ben Youssef) now works for complete alist appeals to the Tunisian workers, Hached's independence, with violence threatened as a union not only avoided joining forces with last resort. They advocate a constitutional the USTT, but has increased its membership monarchy headed by a dynastic, sovereign from 40,000 to 70-80,000, while USTT mem- ruler. A French offer in 1947 to include lead- bership within three years has declined from ing Destourians in the Resident General's 40,000 to 15-18,000. Despite its aversion to cabinet was rejected because the leaders feared Communism, the UGTT somewhat hesitantly that such an action would expose them to accepted affiliation with the Communist- arrest unless they were safeguarded by hold- sponsored World Federation of Trade Unions ing the premiership and several of the key in July 1949 in order to procure the world ministries, and because the Destourians con- "sounding board" thus provided. Subsequent cluded that acceptance of this overture might to this affiliation, Hached has appealed to the be construed as nationalist submission to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for French protectorate regime. The chief source an investigation of social and labor conditions of political power exercised by the nationalists in French North Africa. Although the WFTU is in their control of labor, a matter of grow- has no official connection with ECOSOC it has ing concern to the French. access to ECOSOC meetings. Hached, by ac- Communism. A small but active Commu- cepting WFTU membership for his union, has nist Party, guided by Mohammed Ennafaa, has placed himself in a position to make use of achieved a limited degree of success in mak- the propagandistic values attaching to this ing common cause with the Neo-Destourians indirect connection. The UGTT may ulti- in local labor's demands for the elimination mately withdraw from the WFTU and join of social and economic injustice. The Com- the anti-Communist ICFTU, with which the munist Party of Tunisia has had more tan- leaders have expressed sympathy. French gible results than its Algerian and Moroccan Residency officials have stated that they con- counterparts in efforts toward a rapproche- sider the UGTT of greater importance than ment with the nationalists. A Communist- the USTT; however, the unions have equal SECRET 12 SECRET representation at the consultative level in was imposed and has not yet been lifted, except economic and social matters. Because of its for non-Communist French newspapers. rapid growth, the UGTT overshadows its spon- (1) Government. sor, the Neo-Destour party, and now occupies a position that is potentially dangerous to The shadow government of the Sherifian French interests. Although Communist la- monarchy is represented at present by a Sul- bor in Tunisia failed to merge with and ab- tan of the Alaouite dynasty, in the person of sorb the larger nationalist labor union, Com- Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef ben El-Hassan munist influence upon Tunisian labor must V, eighth of his line, now in the twenty-third not be discounted in view of the UGTT's affi- year of his reign. liation with the WFTU. Under the terms of the Treaty of Fez, the C. Morocco. French Government is represented by a Resi- The native government which the French dent General who is the sole diplomatic inter- found in Morocco was much weakened by cor- mediary, with the rank of ambassador, be- ruption, economic chaos, intrigues, and the tween the Sultan and all representation of rivalries of pretenders to the sultanate. foreign powers in Morocco. The Resident General is responsible also for the implemen- Under the guiding genius of Marshal Lyau- tation of the treaty. tey, France took full advantage of the political and economic disorder within the decrepit This officer, a political appointee, is selected Sherifian 1 Empire. The French installed by the French Council of Ministers, and is their own government beside a native govern- responsible to the French Ministry of Foreign ment (Makhzen) which was composed of the Affairs. Three soldiers, including the present remnants of the old Moorish imperial regime. incumbent, General Alphonse Juin, and six In addition to the over-all administration of civilians have held this position during the the area, the Treaty of Fez permitted the 38 years of the Protectorate's existence. French Government to assume the responsi- The Resident General is assisted chiefly by bility for the conduct of Moroccan foreign af- a Deputy whose title is Delegate to the Resi- fairs and the maintenance of a defense force. dency General and who is a career officer of The Moslem religion and the native customs the French Foreign Service. The Resident were respected; the authority of the sultanate General is also assisted by a Diplomatic Coun- was diminished and the reformation of the sellor and by the chiefs of his civil, military, Sherifian Government was begun. The terri- and diplomatic cabinets. (See accompanying torial limits of the Sherifian Empire included chart.) then, as now, the French, Spanish, and Inter- The Resident General exercises direct con- national (Tangier) Zones of Morocco. trol over the Directorates of the Interior and Despite the fact that the Treaty of Fez Sherifian Affairs, and the Security Services, provides for a protectorate, the French have all of which are concerned with the political governed Morocco since 1912 under a state of problems of a country which has evolved from siege decree. This places the population un- tribalism to the initial stages of a modern der modified martial law which gives the society in less than four decades. The Direc- French military and civil authorities the right torate of the Interior is the most important to intervene in cases of civil disobedience and of these agencies because it exercises police to exercise the extraordinary disciplinary control over the entire area. The Directorate powers that would otherwise be inapplicable. of Sherifian Affairs is charged with liaison In addition, in 1939 strict military censorship between the various branches of the French "Sherifian" derives from the title "Sherif," de- and native governments and is the medium noting an Arab prince or chief descended from the by which official communications are dis- prophet Mohammed, bestowed upon the Sultans of patched and received between the rural Caids Morocco of the present dynasty. Succession to the sultanate is elective within the dynasty, and not (tribal chiefs), the urban Pashas (mayors), necessarily hereditary. and the Makhzen. SECRET ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF FRENCH MOROCCO RESIDENT GENERAL SULTAN DELEGATE OF SECRETARY GENERAL Grand Vizir Chief of Protocol RESIDENCY OF PROTECTORATE ( Policy ) ( Administration ) Mendoub Tangier Public Security Civil Industry Public Works Finance Justice Diplomatic Cabinet Political and Mines Counselor Secretariat Diplomatic Industrial Public Cabinet Military Public Habous Cabinet Production Health and Mines Education Interior Judicial Education Agriculture Sherifian Counselor Public Health and Commerce Affairs Agriculture Finance WE 550 13 Another figure of importance in the Resi- French minority. Delegates (77 in number) dency 1 is the Secretary General of the Pro- of the French section are elected by French tectorate who controls and coordinates the citizens. In 1948, for the first time, delegates non-political administrative services. He to the Second College (21 members) of the supervises the Directorate of Public Works (of native Moroccan section were elected; the importance in a region where no roads existed remainder (56 members of the First and Third 38 years ago), the Directorate of Education colleges) continue to be appointed. (charged with reducing the high illiteracy The electorates which choose these dele- rate), and the Directorate of Public Health gates are composed of large numbers of "repre- and Family Care (which with ever increasing sentative" farmers, and businessmen and in- responsibilities is charged with the health and dustrialists, who are organized into regional sanitation of a population which until 1912 advisory Chambers of Agriculture, and of was living under extremely unsanitary condi- Commerce and Industry. Agriculturalists tions). The Directorate of Finance, also un- who are elected to the Council of Government der his control, is a complex organization constitute the First College of that body; busi- which includes central services and the de- nessmen and industrialists constitute the Sec- centralized services of registry, stamp-duty, ond College; a third College, which has existed domain or landed property, and the adminis- since 1926, consists of functionaries, em- tration of customs and internal revenue. It ployees, and members of the liberal profes- is also heir to the old Service of the Debt sions. which was part of the Makhzen before the establishment of the Protectorate in 1912. In In the absence of any popularly elected addition, there are two directorates: that of assembly empowered to pass laws, legislation Agriculture, Commerce, and Forests and that is promulgated by "dahir."2 Refusal to sign of Industrial Production and Mines. The a Protectorate dahir is a prerogative enjoyed Sherifian Office of Control and Exportation by the Sultan which the present incumbent and the Moroccan Office of Tourism, charged has invoked occasionally, and from which, in respectively with international trade and certain instances, no amount of pressure from travel, are both under the Directorate of Agri- the Residency has been able to deter him. culture and Commerce. The Postal, Tele- Some dahirs have, nevertheless, become law graph and Telephone Services are combined without the Sultan's signature. in an office, not a Directorate, also under the (3) Native and Local Administration. authority of the Secretary General of the Pro- tectorate. Native administration is concentrated un- der the Sultan in a central Makhzen or native (2) Legislative System. government, a relic of the old Sherifian Em- A Council of Government was created in pire. Principal official posts are those of 1919, and enlarged in 1926, to assist and ad- Grand Vizir (Prime Minister), presently occu- vise the Resident General. It is composed of pied by the aged Mohammed Hadj el Mokri, French and Moroccan sections which convene Vizir of Justice, Vizir of the Habous (inalien- separately twice annually. The sessions of able collective religious property and endow- the Council of Government, during which the ment for support of religious or charitable delegates of all three Colleges are consulted, institutions), a Director of Protocol, and five afford the Resident General a considerable representatives of the Grand Vizir assigned cross section of public opinion, both Moroccan to the modern Sherifian departments referred and French. to above, which are the chief technical depart- The chief function of the Council of Gov- ments with French direction. ernment is to make recommendations on the budget and on lesser matters of economic and 2 A dahir is a decree-law promulgated by the Resi- social interest to the native majority and dent General and signed by the Sultan or the Grand Vizir. An order of the Vizir is a statutory order 1 The term "Residency" is used to designate the issued by the Grand Vizir acting under powers per- Resident General and his closest official colleagues. manently delegated by the Sultan. SECRET 14 SECRET The Resident General is represented by States which retains its capitulatory rights French Civil Controllers in his relations with and privileges in Morocco and exercises con- the native Makhzen authorities of the urban sular jurisdiction. This relic of extraterri- centers and rural inland areas. Native Af- torial justice owes its existence to the con- fairs officers, however, still remain in charge tinued adherence of the United States to its of administrative functions in the more re- Treaties with Morocco of 1787 and 1836, the mote parts of Morocco. latter a renewal and development of the Morocco is divided into seven regions: of former, and to the reaffirmation, extension these, three (Oujda, Rabat, Casablanca) are and clarification of these treaties by the Ma- each headed by a French Civil Controller; drid Convention of 1880 and the Act of Alge- three (Marrakech, Meknes, Fez) by a general ciras of 1906. or colonel of the French Army; and one, the As in metropolitan France, there are courts Agadir-Confines of the Sahara, is a military of the peace, courts of first instance, and a area under command of a general. Court of Appeals. There is, however, a nota- Nineteen cities of Morocco are organized as ble absence of the small army of court officials municipalities, and governed separately from so prevalent in France. The functions of the regions. Two of the larger cities, Casa- these minions of the law are discharged by blanca and Fez, because of their mixed Mos- the auxiliary servants of justice, composed of lem and European (French) populations have a body of secretary-registrars, or recorders, two administrations, one Moroccan and the and also are assumed to some extent by the other French. lawyers who act in the official capacity of (4) Representation in Paris. attorneys and notaries. Since 1930 a certain Like the Tunisians, Moroccans are not rep- number of notaries have been appointed for resented in the French Parliament and refuse the larger cities by the protectorate govern- to participate in the Assembly of the French ment. Union. They also resent the fact that the The courts of first instance also have crim- French residents in Morocco, who number inal jurisdiction, and perform the functions of about a quarter of a million (less than three French Courts of Assizes. The number of percent of the total population) are repre- assessor-jurors is limited to six, of whom at sented by three members in the French Coun- least three must be French citizens; the others cil of the Republic. These officials are desig- are European or Moroccan, according to the nated in Morocco as candidates for the Coun- nationality of the person on trial. cil of the Republic, by the people they repre- Before the arrival of the French, the native sent, and are subsequently elected in and by courts, from that of the Sultan down, had the French National Assembly. absolute authority. A pasha, or mayor, for The combined French citizen membership example, was all things to his people; he was in the French Council of the Republic for a governor, a direct representative of the Sul- Tunisia (two) and Morocco (three) is only 1.5 tan for purposes of administration and ap- percent of the upper house of Parliament and peal, and a judge of criminal proceedings, is politically negligible. whose sentences were immediately executed. (5) Judicial System. The French have instituted certain reforms, In Morocco, as in Algeria and Tunisia, the such as the abolition of corporal punishment, system of justice is dual. French justice, including mutilations. In many ways Mos- based on the Napoleonic Code, was instituted lem justice is still primitive by western stand- by Marshal Lyautey in 1913. With one ex- ards and native nationalists have urged that ception, the foreign consular courts which ex- the Moslem laws be modernized and codified. isted prior to 1913 were eliminated over a Divorce procedures are loose and facile. As period of years, with the recognition of the matters stand, civil law suits can be dragged French Protectorate by foreign powers. These out interminably, especially in the lower tri- courts were superseded by the French court bunals such as those in which the Cadis exer- system. The sole exception is the United cise their religious jurisdiction, the temporal SECRET SECRET 15 jurisdiction of the Pashas and Caids, and to a fanatical leaders. Their potential influence is lesser extent in the Djemaas,¹ the local assem- reckoned by the French less on a numerical blies of the Berber tribes. The power of jus- basis than on the assumption that these par- tice of the Pashas has been somewhat reduced ties constitute a hard core of a widely-held but and their activities placed under the control generally latent nationalistic feeling which of a French court adviser, known as a Govern- could be aroused and put into action under ment Commissioner. Penalties entailing a conditions generally unfavorable to the prison term of more than two years have been French administration. under the jurisdiction of the High Sherifian Nationalist leaders agree generally that the Court in Rabat since 1918. native population is immature politically, as The Jewish minority, about three percent of compared with their neighbors in Tunisia. the total population, has its own rabbinical But, having given up hope of obtaining any courts, competent for civil lawsuits, and an real preparation for independence from the appellate jurisdiction, the High Rabbinical French, Istiqlal leaders demand complete and Court of Rabat. immediate independence with a constitutional government under the Sultan. They admit, (6) Reform Measures. however, that they would require French or The reforms indicated in the Treaty of Fez other outside assistance for a time after such have been realized only in part. Not only was independence was achieved. much time consumed in the pacification of the It is of interest to note that the Sultan's country and in the fighting of two world wars, popularity with the mass of the people has but the fact is that French policy, hoping grown constantly as he has offered resistance to keep Morocco in subject status, has at cer- to Resident General Juin. The Sultan has tain times either opposed or failed to imple- given strong, consistent, but usually covert, ment the changes proposed in these articles. support to the Istiqlal party, despite the A more rapid rate of progress has been made blandishments and threats of the French since 1947 than in any comparable period in authorities, which have included defamation the past in the fields of judicial, administra- of character, and even a few trial balloons tive, educational, economic, and financial re- designed to test public response to the idea form. of placing young Prince Moulay Hassan on (7) Political Parties. his father's throne. Nationalism. Nationalism is the chief Istiqlal has benefited by the fanatical and rallying point of politically conscious Moroc- energetic leadership of Allal el Fassi, now re- cans. The French have outlawed, but toler- siding in Tangier because he fears curtailment ate, both of the nationalist parties: the im- of his liberty should he return to French portant Istiqlal (Independence) and the very Morocco. The present active leader of Istiqlal much smaller but corrupt, from the native in Morocco is Ahmed Balafrej who, although viewpoint, Shoura (Democratic Independ- lacking the fire and eloquence of El Fassi, is ence). Istiqlal is one of the more pro-US and a better political organizer and enjoys the con- anti-USSR nationalist parties in North Africa. fidence and strong backing of the Sultan. Under the leadership of Mohammed ben Although the precise size of these illegal Hassan el Wazzani, its founder, the Shoura organizations is unknown, it is probable that party has weakened itself because of its will- together they do not exceed 50,000. Their ingness to compromise with the French, for vitality arises chiefly from hatred of the whom it has acted as a stalking-horse. It French and from religious sentiments which has, consequently, failed to divide nationalist are frequently inflamed by competent and opinion, although it has attempted to do so by advocating Moroccan autonomy within the 1 Djemaas are administrative, judicial, and at times legislative. framework of the French Union. In this re- Djemaas judiciaires, with strictly judicial func- spect, it has fallen in line with an earlier policy tions, exist in Berber territory; there were 16 such of the Communists with whom the Shoura is tribunals in 1929. reported to have engaged in limited collabora- SECRET 16 SECRET tion. Shoura leaders reportedly came around have more recently been somewhat successful to Istiqlal's thinking in the spring of 1950, and in their proselytizing in the rural areas. Com- both groups now strive toward complete sep- munist influence is more evident in the field aration from French control. of labor in Morocco than in the political arena, Communism. The Moroccan Communist where it carries little weight. Party, like its counterparts in Tunisia and Al- d. Committee for the Liberation of North geria, makes up for its small size by its volu- Africa. bility and close organization. It also enjoys International liaison among nationalist a considerable advantage over the nationalist leaders has been maintained through the parties because it has legal status and controls Committee for the Liberation of North Africa, the principal labor federation. formed in Cairo in January 1948 under the In the absence of its former leader, the Al- chairmanship of the Rif leader, Abd-el-Krim. gerian Ali Yata, driven underground by the Eleven delegates representing all nationalist French, the destinies of the Party are in the parties except the Algerian UDMA party com- hands of Abdeslam Bourquia, a typical fol- posed the original committee. The aim of the lower of the usual anti-US political and Com- organization was to work for the complete in- munist-directed CGT labor lines. He is less dependence of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, noxious to the French than the more appeal- without negotiating with the French or Span- ing and inflammatory Ali Yata. ish before achieving independence. The com- Because the Istiqlal and the Sultan are both mittee seeks to obtain this independence by apprehensive of Soviet intentions, Communist peaceful means, if possible, and contends that advances toward rapprochement with the if violence is necessary the responsibility will nationalists have met with much more resist- lie with France and Spain. ance than in Algeria and Tunisia. Recently, The committee has proved ineffective be- however, fear that the US might relinquish cause of the lack of delegated authority from its privileged treaty position in Morocco, in the North African parties, the failure of Abd- deference to increasing French objections, has el-Krim to regain his prestige since his exile, led Moroccan nationalists to despair of US the return to North Africa of the most influ- aid or sympathy in their struggle for inde- ential committee members, the defeat of the pendence. This pessimism has caused the Arab League on the Palestine question, and Istiqlal to take under consideration proffered the League's declining influence and loss of Communist assistance in spite of the incom- prestige in North Africa. Being located in patibility of Islam and Communism. Only friendly Egyptian territory, however, the Cairo political expediency would prompt the nation- headquarters has been able, to a degree not alists to accept this assistance. possible within North Africa, to contact and The similarity of Communist activities and seek the assistance of Arab and other friendly their timing throughout North Africa indicate nations, to establish an active propaganda that the three Communist parties in Algeria, center, and to meet freely to study North Tunisia, and Morocco operate according to a African problems. Recent statements by common plan directed from Paris. The So- Abd-el-Krim suggest that he is seeking to in- viet Consulate in Algiers undoubtedly main- crease the activity and the influence of the tains contact with the local leaders and the committee and to focus world attention on French Communist Party, as well as with nationalist aspirations. Moscow. A second North African nationalist group, Because of the French ban on Moslem the Maghreb Bureau, forerunner of the Com- labor's right to organize, the French have mittee for the Liberation of North Africa, played into the Communists' hands and the functioned until recently in Cairo. This body Communist-directed local CGT has with rela- consisted of representatives of Istiqlal, Neo- tive ease dominated European and native Destour, and MTLD, and maintained a sep- labor. Despite the rigid control exercised by arate entity although cooperating with the the protectorate, Communists in Morocco Abd-el-Krim Committee. The eclipse of its 17 activities by the Committee for the Liberation French economy; many schools have been of North Africa and the decline in vitality of established, the state of public health and the Arab League, from which it received lim- sanitation is much improved, roads and rail- ited financial assistance, have caused the ways have been built, and a degree of public Maghreb Bureau to suspend operations, at security established which is far superior to least for the present. the conditions which prevailed before the establishment of French control. 3. Stability of the Present Administration. The value of its North African interests to The French political position in North the French nation is a compound of history, Africa may be regarded as stable but on the economy, and sentiment. The region as a defensive. The major force, aside from war, producer of wealth for the "protecting" na- which might cause the French to move out tion cannot be compared to the rich Nether- at some later date is not only the nationalist lands East Indies when under Dutch control movements in the area but the change in or to India during the British occupation. In- world attitude toward colonial possessions. deed, if it were possible to compute the total The British withdrawal from India, Burma, military costs as well as those of civil admin- and Ceylon in 1948, the establishment of Israel istration, both French and native, including in 1949, recent developments in Indonesia and the improvements which have been realized, Indochina, and the United Nations General it is probable that such a theoretical financial Assembly's decision to grant independence to statement would show an over-all deficit for Libya, including the Fezzan, by 1952, all affect France. To be sure, many individual French- the future of the French in North Africa. men and groups have grown rich in North The nationalist leaders will continue to ex- Africa, and the growing volume of trade is ploit this situation in their dealings with the fairly substantial, but whereas the British held French and the US. Much emphasis will also India with its population of 450,000,000 for be laid on the anti-democratic menace of many decades with a garrison of 50,000 Communism. But the fact remains that most troops, the French are even now employing of the peoples in French North Africa have not less than 90,000 troops in their far less lived for centuries in a culture pattern which opulent African domain in order to keep has afforded them no mass sense of demo- 21,000,000 natives in order. cratic procedures. The growing native mid- The French view of the matter does not stop dle class has not yet developed sufficient size there, however. Much French blood has been or cohesiveness to exert an effective political shed, and an enormous amount of capital has influence. Most nationalist leaders, when been expended. The hope is always latent in they speak of independence and liberty for the French estimate of the situation that the area, are aware of the fact that they do North Africa, rather than making a few not represent a literate and politically con- Frenchmen rich, may eventually return at scious population which could in the next least a quid pro quo to the French nation as decade realize a system of popular self-govern- a whole. It is also assumed that the area will ment. Nor do the natives, save for a minority, serve as a political and military refuge should desire a democratic government. They do, however, feel the resentment common to all France be again overrun by an enemy and occupied peoples, and desire to be rid of that it might again serve as a springboard French control. for a successful counterattack. It should also be noted that while the world empires of the It is generally admitted, however, even by many of the more ardent nationalists, that nineteenth century have been falling apart the French have, on the whole, benefited the with notable rapidity since the end of the area sociologically and economically. During second World War, French amour propre is the past 36 years France was engaged in two still stimulated by the fact that these protec- life-and-death struggles against Germany, torates exist and that Algeria is politically, at with results that were all but disastrous to least, an integral part of the French nation. 18 SECRET France will, therefore, endeavor to hold the tive populations than it has thus far seen fit region, although in doing so it will be required to accord. to grant much greater concessions to the na- SECRET CHAPTER II ECONOMIC SITUATION 1. Genesis of the Present Economic System: The great majority of the 20 million natives Economic Factors Concurrent with and Subse- exist on a low standard of living, which is quent to French Military Penetration and Politi- becoming further depressed because the popu- cal Administration of North Africa. lation is increasing at the rate of 1.7 percent The present economic system in French annually while food production has remained North Africa is based on three factors: (1) the relatively constant. The natives, 85 to 90 per- primitive production and trading which char- cent of whom are illiterate, are engaged in acterize the Berber and Arab civilization; (2) small-scale agriculture, commerce, mining, the traditional utilization of the area as a and handicrafts. Few of the natives are ready market for the output of French indus- skilled workers or technicians, and most of try; and (3) the recent efforts of the French these could not meet western standards. Un- toward industrialization against the possi- employment is not a serious problem except bility that France will again be overrun by an during drought years. invader. Nationalization is widespread among non- The economic development of the area was native industries. It is manifested in vary- deliberately retarded during the nineteenth ing degrees of French, Algerian, and Protec- century by French policy designed to protect torate Government control, by government the interests of metropolitan industry and participation in capitalization or in manage- commerce. Until recently, industrialists were ment, and by subsidies. The governments discouraged from establishing factories in have majority participation in all petroleum North Africa to produce finished or semi- industries, public utilities, and local airlines. finished goods. French commercial interests Nearly all rail lines are state-owned. Tobacco retain special advantages in Tunisia and Al- processing, the manufacture of matches, the geria. Morocco, on the other hand, by virtue distillation of alcohol, and exploitation of for- of the Treaty of Algeciras (1906) maintains est lands are state monopolies. Most mining an "Open Door Policy" and imposes import activities are strictly regulated. duties and special import taxes.¹ In general, 2. The Present Economic Situation. inter-territorial trade is free throughout the a. Agriculture. area. It appears, however, that the profits which Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco comprise an have accrued to French individuals and in- area of more than a million square miles, of dustries have been, in the long run, more than which about three-quarters are sterile desert offset by the vast military and civil expendi- or wasteland; the balance (250,000 square tures necessary to pacify and govern the im- miles) is arable. Production per acre of such poverished natives. essential crops as wheat and barley averages, however, little more than half the US output. 1 Goods of foreign origin on entry into the French French agriculturists have demonstrated Zone of Morocco are subject to an import duty of that the use of modern agricultural practices 10 percent ad valorem, except for silk, fabrics, pre- and equipment would permit the area to meet cious stones, jewelry, wines, liquors, and alimentary its own food requirements and to produce a pastes on which the duty is 5 percent ad valorem. In addition to the import duty, a special tax of 2.5 substantial surplus for export. Most of the percent ad valorem is levied on imports into the land is, however, farmed by natives who still French Zone. employ primitive methods. They have little SECRET 19 20 ECRET knowledge of insect control, use poor quality turned over to French colonists. When still seeds, and seriously lack irrigation facilities. more land was needed for colonization, the Severe droughts in recent years and a scarcity French forced modification of the existing of consumer goods in local markets have Moslem laws and customs and thereby legal- helped retard production. ized the permanent alienation of both habous Because of the war and the droughts which and collective lands to Europeans, who ob- occurred through 1943-45, the food situation tained rights tantamount to private owner- became so stringent that essential commodi- ship. As a direct result of these ruthless oper- ties were rationed until the late winter and ations, almost half the natives in Algeria were early spring of 1949. Conditions have now SO uprooted. improved that only such imported items as Later, in Tunisia, the French practiced a coffee, green tea, and special milk products milder land policy; native land tenure was dis- are on the restricted list. Shortages of meat turbed even less in Morocco. In both protec- and dairy products continue. torates, however, reduction of communal lands (1) Land Utilization. rather than confiscation of large areas pre- Land tenure, before the French occupation, vailed, and native laws regarding habous and was governed by tribal custom and Moslem collective land were modified. law. When French occupation began, a small The rate of transfer of land from native to portion of each territory was privately owned, French control has slowed down appreciably, possibly one-third was habous property (en- although allotments of agricultural land are dowed for the support of religious charities), set aside annually for European colonization. while the vast bulk of the land was collectively From the meager statistics available on land owned by tribes or tribal fractions. Almost tenure, it has been estimated that Europeans immediately after occupying Algeria, the farm about 47 percent of the cultivated land French confiscated large areas of the tribal in Algeria, 22.5 percent in Tunisia, and 14 per- lands, thus forcing the natives back into cent in Morocco, as indicated in the following mountains and deserts. The seized land was table. Comparatively small areas of land, LAND USE ALGERIA 8,371,200 544,640,000 acres 7,423,500 TUNISIA 6,391,400 1,855,600 30,887,500 acres MOROCCO 104,220,000 acres 13,534,000 2,203,200 Cultivated Cultivated by Uncultivated by Natives Europeans ALGERIA TUNISIA MOROCCO VINEYARDS, ORCHARDS, GARDENS 0.3% 3.2% 0.5% FALLOW 1.1% 8.8% 4.6% ANNUAL CROPS 1.5% 14.7% 10.0% UNPRODUCTIVE 86.4% 29.6% 54.9% FOREST 1.7% 8.1% 5.9% PASTURE 9.0% 35.6% 18.9% STEPPE LANDS PRODUCING ALFA 5.2% WE 650 SECRET 21 which are to be made arable by irrigation eventually be reflected in increased yields. Al- projects, will be distributed primarily to though the 1949 estimated harvest is only natives. slightly below that of 1948 and compares (2) Production. favorably with the 1935-39 average, it must In economic importance, cereals lead all be remembered that the North African popu- other products. These are followed by wine, lation has increased by 3,000,000 (or eighteen percent) in the intervening decade. It is citrus fruits, green vegetables, olives and olive oil, cork, livestock, fibers, and tobacco. probable that local breadgrain requirements in 1949-50 will be satisfied, but is unlikely (3) Cereals. that there will be any large quantity for ex- All cereal production, centered largely in port. On the other hand, the large exporta- the rich coastal regions, is under strict gov- ble surplus of barley cannot be sold on the ernmental control. Of the acreage sown, 84 world market because North African prices are percent normally is devoted to wheat (44 per- too high. cent) and barley (40 percent). Native (4) Wine. farmers favor barley because it requires less Viticulture is of great importance in French cultivation and is more resistant to drought. North Africa, particularly in Algeria, where As may be seen from the following table, one-half of the total exports consist of wine. cereal production has been fairly static over In 1948 Algerian wine production totalled 334 the last fourteen years. Cognizant of the million gallons, or considerably below the esti- need to increase production, both French and mated average prewar annual production of local authorities are intensifying their efforts 500 million gallons. A vast program of re- to educate native farmers and procure more habilitation of vineyards is under way, and in efficient tools for their use. The arrival of about ten years maximum production may modern farm equipment through ECA should again be reached. CEREAL PRODUCTION (In metric tons) WHEAT BARLEY OATS CORNª 1935-39 average 2,000,000 2,075,000 221,500 218,000 1946 2,670,000 1,669,000 173,720 220,000 1947 1,728,000 1,782,000 120,000 257,000 1948 preliminary 2,150,000 2,260,000 216,560 340,000 1949 estimate 2,079,000 2,290,000 243, 200ᵇ 319,000 1949 estimate for France (as of 1 August 1949) 7,068,000 1,354,000 3,196,000 a Morocco only. b Algeria and Morocco only. COMPARATIVE YIELDS (In bushels per acre, average computed from 1946-47-48 yields) 37.7 32.3 34.2 35.7 26.3 22.7 25.6 '46 22.6 only 14.7 15.8 '46&'48 17.2 17.8 14.0 10.3 average 9.5 8.27 6.45 4.8 ALGERIA MOROCCO TUNISIA FRANCE U.S. Wheat Barley Oats Corn WE 750 *insignificant R E 22 SECRET The vast majority of Algerian wines are plantings are owned by natives. Yearly pro- common table varieties used extensively in duction has risen from 18,000 metric tons for France for blending with the finer grade 1945-46 to about 25,000 metric tons during French wines. In 1948 almost 238 million gal- 1948-49. The maximum possible production lons were exported to France and other French from present cultivation is 50,000 metric tons territories, more than two-thirds of the total annually. Algerian production. In 1949, the Algerian commercial produc- Tunisia and Morocco are net importers of tion of dried figs amounted to 16,500 metric wine; domestic production in both countries tons. Date exports amounted in 1948-49 to is substantially lower than consumption. 24,500 metric tons, a portion going to Morocco. The following table compares the 1947 and Almonds produced in Morocco amounted to 1948 wine production for French North Africa 4,200 metric tons in 1948-49, and are esti- with that of France, the world's leading pro- mated at 3,440 metric tons for 1949-50. ducer, and of Spain: France is the only important importer of Moroccan almonds. PRODUCTION (In gallons) (6) Vegetables. COUNTRY 1948 1947 Pulse production, chiefly broad beans, len- Tunisia 15,800,000 12,000,000 tils, peas, chick peas, and beans, totalled 131,- Algeria 334,000,000 219,000,000 000 metric tons for Algeria and Morocco in Morocco 10,500,000 11,000,000 1947-48. Normally, production is in excess Total French North of the countries' needs, and substantial ex- Africa 360,300,000 242,000,000 ports are customary. There is also a consid- France 1,129,000,000 1,031,000,000 erable production and export of fresh vegeta- Spain 475,000,000 536,000,000 bles. (From Morocco alone, a monthly aver- age of more than 4,300 metric tons of fresh (5) Fruits. vegetables was exported in 1949.) Fruit growing ranks third as a source of (7) Oils. North Africa's agricultural wealth, with citrus Large imports of peanut and palm oil fruits predominating. Algeria, Tunisia, and from West Africa permit French North Africa Morocco devote a total of 123,550 acres to to export quantities of olive and linseed oils. citrus fruits, and the production goal is 350,- Algerian and Moroccan olive crops in 1948 000 metric tons (almost 50 percent higher totalled 123,000 metric tons, from which were than the 1947-48 yield of 237,300 metric tons), pressed some 14,000 metric tons of olive oil. or slightly more than three percent of the Algerian oil is consumed domestically, but world's total. Moroccan olive oil is one of the largest sources As in the case of wine, Algeria leads the of dollars for the Protectorate Government, other two countries in citrus fruit production, which exported 4,916 metric tons ($4,146,918 with 122,300 metric tons in 1947-48, of which in value) to the US in 1948. (In 1949, Moroc- 93,472 tons were exported, principally to co exported 446.7 metric tons of olive oil to France. Over 90 percent of the groves are the US, valued at $343,264.) owned by Europeans, who produce 92.5 per- Production of olive oil in Tunisia fluctuates cent of the total output. As in the production seasonally. About 42,000 metric tons were of cereals, the more modern methods of culti- produced in 1948-49, 25 percent above the vation employed by Europeans result in 1940-49 average annual production. The greater yield. Moroccan production has 1949 surplus available for export amounted steadily increased from 32,000 metric tons in to 10,000 tons, of which more than one-third 1942-43 to an estimated 130,000 metric tons has already been exported to France. in 1948-49, of which 81,801 tons were exported, chiefly to France. Plans are being made to (8) Livestock. expand production to 175,000 metric tons by Livestock is not only a source of meat and 1952-53. In Tunisia about 60 percent of the hides, or wool, but is also a source of draft SECRET SECRET 23 NORTH AFRICAN HERDS. Algeria (1947) Morocco (1948) Tunisia (1950) SHEEP 3,000,000 10,000,000* 2,500,000 GOATS 2,145,000 6,009,000 1,800,000 CATTLE 682,000 1,660,000 450,000 ASSES 282,000 554,600 185,000 CAMELS 140,000 165,400 150,000 HORSES 189,000 155,000 100,000 MULES 222,000 140,800 60,000 HOGS 90,000 96,600 60,000 * 1950 estimate WE 850 power. There is, however, a great deficit in Some 15,000 fishermen are employed in dairy products-annual milk production in Al- Tunisian fisheries. Sponge fishing, produc- geria, for instance, is about 9.5 pints per ing about 125 tons annually, is the most im- capita. During the years of severe drought portant element of the Tunisian fishing in- (1943-45), sheep and hogs were reduced by dustry. The annual fish catch is estimated at more than one-half and other herds suffered 9,000 metric tons. to a lesser extent. Adequate rainfall and good pasturage have resulted in substantial im- (10) Tobacco. provement in numbers, although several more Algerian tobacco production, 19,500 metric years will be required before drought losses tons in 1948, is almost sufficient to supply the are made good. local market. Tobacco imports are declining, The table above indicates the approximate and exports increasing. Morocco raises a number of domestic animals in the area. small quantity of tobacco-1,600 metric tons Wool production, which averaged 28,000 in 1946. metric tons annually in 1931-35, dropped to about 22,000 metric tons in 1947 and 1948. (11) Fibers. Consumption is in excess of production, how- Vegetable fiber and esparto and alfa grasses ever, and imports of South American and Aus- grow wild. In 1948 Algeria and Morocco har- tralian wools are necessary to supply the vested some 115,000 metric tons of alfa (used woolen trade. Although most goat hair is in the manufacture of fine paper), about one- processed locally, a small amount is exported third of which was exported. About 130,000 (Algerian production in 1948 was 5,500 metric tons of vegetable fiber were exported. Great tons, of which 375 were exported). Britain is the chief purchaser of Algerian France and French territories are the prin- esparto grass (used in the manufacture of cipal importers of North African hides, most cordage, shoes, baskets, and paper); produc- of which are tanned locally. tion in 1948 amounted to 162,025 metric tons. Morocco produces about 25 tons annually of (9) Fishing. sisal, and larger quantities of hemp and flax. Morocco has a sizable fishing industry, and plans are being developed for its expansion. (12) Forests. Authorities hope that with the procurement The forests and wooded areas of French of modern refrigeration equipment the Moroc- North Africa were estimated in 1937 to cover can fishing industry can be extended to supply 18.7 million acres. In Morocco about 56,000 Algeria and Tunisia, as well as to furnish fresh acres (of a total of 6,425,000 acres) is prima- fish for the French market. More than 1,400 rily cork oak, and 64,750 acres predominantly craft were engaged in fishing in 1948, and the cedar. Other stands include varieties of oaks catch was estimated at 55,938 metric tons. and conifers. SECRET 24 SECRET In Algeria (8,948,000 acres) and Tunisia carried on by the state or by semi-private or (2,511,000 acres) wooded areas are principally private firms with governmental permit. scrub forests including oaks (cork, evergreen, Substantial wage increases, higher costs of and deciduous), conifers, and wild olive. transportation, and replacement of essential Oases of date palms are found in desert areas equipment have forced the governments to of Algeria and to some extent in Tunisia. grant subsidies to keep the mines in operation, Wild cork is the principal forest product; with the result that annual production equals others include firewood, lumber, and some pit and in some cases surpasses prewar tonnages. props for the local mines. Charcoal manu- Antiquated mining methods restrict mineral facture is a widespread, small-scale native in- output in all areas. Mechanization is not dustry; production and consumption statis- warranted, however, at properties with low- tics are not available. grade or limited reserves. Transportation (13) Cork. difficulties, particularly in Morocco and Al- Algerian cork production is surpassed only geria, also hamper production. by Portugal and Spain. Algeria normally Since there are few smelters and phosphate produces 35-40,000 metric tons of cork an- processing plants in North Africa, the bulk nually (one-seventh of the world production); of the raw ore is exported. This situation lesser amounts are produced in French Mo- will probably continue because of the high rocco (17-18,000 metric tons) and Tunisia cost of plants and equipment, and the lack of (3,000 metric tons). Of the 1,087,000 acres skilled labor and of technical experts. devoted to cork in Algeria, 617,750 acres of North Africa is the world's largest producer the less desirable areas are owned by the state of phosphates with 5,761,000 metric tons and the balance by private individuals and mined in 1948. The two principal deposits local governments. Rehabilitation of cork (Khouribga and Louis Gentil), with tremen- forests is essential or production will soon be dous reserves and yielding 75 percent com- drastically reduced. mercial ore, are in Morocco and furnish more The government does not control the har- than one-half of the total production. Most vesting and processing of cork. Some 17- of the remainder comes from Tunisian de- 18,000 Algerian natives are employed for two posits, with a smaller production in Algeria. months annually in stripping the trees. About Iron ore production in 1948 was more than 14,000 metric tons of cork, or substantially 2,868,000 metric tons, of which 1,870,700 were less than half the production, are processed mined in Algeria where reserves are estimated in Algeria in four large factories, fifteen small at 30 to 40 million tons (average iron content factories, and 50 hand shops, employing a 53 percent). Known reserves in Morocco are total of 5,000 laborers, and producing 4,000 about 30 million metric tons from which 30- tons of finished products, such as stoppers, 85,000 metric tons are produced annually. mats, and similar articles. Because few cork Tunisia also possesses substantial deposits. processing establishments exist in either Morocco is the only important source of French Morocco or Tunisia, a portion of Moroc- can and Tunisian cork is processed in Algeria. manganese ore in the French Union, and pro- duces at present about one-half of the French All unprocessed cork and the bulk of the manufactured products are exported. France steel industry's requirements. Manganese is the principal importer of the manufactured production has almost tripled in the past dec- ade (from 78,000 metric tons in 1938 to products, while the US imports raw and scrap cork as well as some manufactured articles. 195,400 tons in 1948). The largest known de- posit is remotely located south of the Atlas b. Mineral Resources. mountains, far from railhead or seaport, and French North Africa's second most impor- production is limited by the carrying capac- tant economic asset is its mineral wealth. ity of truck transport. With adequate trans- Known sources of phosphates and iron ore are portation, production could be doubled in the extensive; mineral fuels are scarce or of poor next few years, thus making France self-suf- quality. The development of all resources is ficient in this strategic material, and perhaps SECRET SECRET 25 providing a small exportable surplus. A semi- grade. About 80 percent of Moroccan coal processing plant of limited capacity is located requirements are imported. Tunisian indus- at Casablanca. try and power depend entirely upon imported Many non-ferrous metals and non-metallic fuels. minerals are found in French North Africa. Known petroleum resources are insignifi- All areas produce substantial quantities of lead cant. Morocco is the only one of the three and zinc, while Algerian mines yield antimony, areas producing any appreciable amount of mercury, barite, and diatomite. Moroccan petroleum and in 1948 supplied only ten per- mineral production includes minor quantities cent of its own needs. Prospecting for oil is of copper-in the form of chalcopyrite-and under way in all three areas. After prolonged cobalt. negotiations, British and US oil interests were Although known coal deposits are estimated finally granted permission in August 1949 to at 100 million metric tons, production is sub- investigate petroleum potentialities in Tunisia. stantially below requirements. Algerian coal Preliminary discussions are now under way by is of mediocre quality and three-quarters of US and French capitalists who desire to pros- Algerian consumption requirements are im- pect in Algeria. ported. Moroccan coal is of better quality The following table compares 1948 produc- than Algerian, yet is also considered low tion with that of 1947: MINERAL PRODUCTION (Metric tons) ALGERIA TUNISIA MOROCCO 1948 TOTAL 1947 TOTAL Ferrous Minerals Iron Ore 1,870,700 696, 100 301,300 2,868,000 2, 109, 500 Manganese Ore 195,400 195,400 103,400 (Mn content) (104,970) (104, 970) (49,000) Pyrite 34, 230 3, 215 37,440 42,020 Non-Ferrous Minerals Lead Ore 1, 750 21,620 39,200 62, 570 50,710 (Lead concentrate) (1, 050) (13, 370) (28, 240) (42, 660) (34,960) (Lead metal) (17,960) * (9, 840) Zinc Ore 13, 780 4, 940 4,660 23,380 21,800 (Blende) (560) (4, 720) (4, 070) (9, 350) (9, 880) (Calamine) (13, 220) (220) (590) (14,030) (11, 920) (Zn content) (6, 130) (2, 470) (2, 340) (10, 940) (10, 180) Antimony Ore 2, 540 895 3,435 1, 140 (Sb content) (855) (450) (1, 305) (540) Cobalt Ore 2, 100 2,100 2, 660 (Co content) (280) (280) (370) Copper Ore 1, 800 1,800 170 (Cu content) (440) (440) (40) Mercury 13. 15 13. 15 11. 7 Non-metallic Minerals Phosphates 670,600 1,863,700 3,226,700 5,761,000 5,422,800 Fuller's Earth 27, 640 3, 810 31,450 22,800 Diatomite 8, 410 8, 410 6, 540 Barite 7, 610 230 7, 840 6, 970 Fluorspar 525 525 Asbestos 400 400 790 Graphite 285 285 440 Mineral Fuels Coal 222, 600 290,300 512, 900 473, 100 Lignite 70, 520 70,520 75,700 Petroleum 110 12, 920 13,030 3, 030 * Produced in Tunisia from Tunisian, Algerian, and Moroccan ores. SECRET 26 SECRET c. Industry. and certain electrical products. Except for Since the war, the French Government has the recent establishment in Casablanca of modified its economic doctrine and encouraged the Société Chérifienne de Matériel Industriel industrialization in North Africa. Consider- et Ferrovierre (SCIF) which will produce, able progress has been made under the new among other things, railroad cars for local use, policy despite the government's inability to there are no facilities for the production of import sufficient equipment from abroad, the transportation equipment. Repair facilities need to construct plants, insufficient fuel and for automotive and aircraft equipment are power facilities, inadequate transportation, adequate for present requirements. and scarcity of skilled labor. Industries par- (2) Construction. ticularly encouraged include: food processing, Industrial and commercial construction re- metallurgical, electrical, chemical, fat proc- ceived a particular impetus during World War essing, paper and pasteboard, construction II and reached its peak in early 1948. Housing materials, textile and leather, wood, and cork continues to be in short supply, owing both to plants. the increasing population and the trend The influx of fugitive French capital into toward urban expansion. The principal de- North Africa since 1945, the postwar demand terrents to the industry are the shortage of for consumer goods, and industrial replace- materials, skilled workers, and capital. Gov- ment and reequipment needs have now ernment control over rentals has seriously dis- levelled off, and the trend toward expansion, couraged the construction of housing, and it except in chemical and metallurgical indus- is unlikely that substantial amounts of capi- tries, probably will be slowed. Because of tal will be attracted until higher investment transportation inadequacies and the absence returns are assured. of appreciable deposits of commercial-grade Construction activity has been greatest in fuels in the area, there is little probability Tunisia, where wartime property damage is that any heavy industry will be established estimated at $335-420 million. Reconstruc- in the immediate future. tion is well under way, but work has been Although most technicians are drawn from handicapped by non-delivery or delayed ship- the European minority of the population or ment of supplies and equipment from the US. from Europe itself, the North African native (3) Power. population is a potentially good source of Morocco and, to a lesser extent, Algeria skilled industrial labor. The Arabs and Ber- have excellent water power sources, but until bers are intelligent, have an aptitude for me- more dams are constructed to capture and chanics, and are quick to grasp new princi- hold a greater portion of surplus water from ples when given an opportunity to learn. seasonal rains, hydroelectric facilities cannot (1) Manufacturing. provide for year-round power needs. Tunisia Two distinct types of manufacturing estab- is almost totally deficient in water power lishments prevail throughout French North sources, and practically all electricity pro- Africa-native handicraft carried on in the duced locally is dependent upon imported homes, and hundreds of small factories owned, fuels. Thermal and diesel installations in Al- financed, or managed by the European, or for- geria and Morocco also require imported coal eign, minority. Handicrafts are confined to and oil fuel. rug and carpet making, some textile weaving, Electric power produced in 1948 is esti- and leather, metal, and wood crafts. The mated at 950 million kwh, of which one-third greatest number of processing plants in the was produced by Algerian and Moroccan factory category are devoted to foodstuffs— hydroelectric installations. While Algeria fish, fruit, and vegetable canneries, flour and and Tunisia have made constant gains in oil mills, and distilleries. Locally grown to- power production in postwar years, the larg- bacco, as well as the imported tobacco, is proc- est increase occurred in Morocco where power essed in Algeria. Other manufactures are production increased 21.40 percent in 1948 leather, matches, soap, paper, textiles, shoes, over 1947. As a phase of the government's SECRET SECRET 27 industrial expansion program, several large freight in 1949, or more than one-fourth of hydroelectric power projects are under con- the 562,000 metric tons of freight carried in struction in all areas. The completion of ma- an average month in 1949 by the railroads. jor power projects now under way in Morocco Air freight and passenger traffic has also should enable that area by 1954 to produce 800 been greatly increased in recent months. million kwh annually, which would permit the Port facilities are being enlarged and mod- exportation of electricity to Algeria. ernized, and new ports constructed. The port (4) Transportation. of Casablanca is particularly in need of en- Wartime disruption of the transportation largement. The reconstruction of Tunisian systems had been overcome by 1948, although ports, which suffered considerable war dam- modernization and expansion of existing age, is well under way, and the state-con- equipment is necessary to service adequately trolled port authorities have outlined plans the increasing industrialization. for extensive expansion of facilities. There are slightly more than 5,000 miles of d. Finance. railroad in French North Africa-concen- (1) Money. trated chiefly on the littoral-of which only a Each area has its own monetary unit, the small percentage is electrified (475 miles in Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian franc; all Morocco and 150 miles in Algeria). Planned are tied to one another and the French franc improvements of existing rail lines include at the rate of one to one. On 19 September doubling the tracks, electrification, replace- 1949 a single official rate of about 350 francs ment of steam locomotives by diesel engines to the dollar was established in place of the and modification of steep grades and sharp previous base rate of 214, the commercial rate turns. In 1948 Algeria and Morocco together of 272, and the official "free" rate of 330. reported more than 14.6 million metric tons of freight handled. (In Algeria alone, 62 per- Paper currency, issued by the two central cent more freight and 11 percent more pas- banks, is the principal circulating medium. sengers were carried in 1948 than in 1947.) French currency is not legal tender in French Present equipment is barely sufficient for North Africa; each of the French North Afri- adequate service. The French Government can currencies is legal tender only in the state is attempting to interest ECA or US private for which it is issued. All, however, are freely capital in extending North African railroads interchangeable on a franc-for-franc basis at toward the Atlantic Coast and to open up any bank in the area, thereby greatly facili- east Moroccan and west Algerian mineral tating trade and capital transactions between areas. The ultimate terminus of this project these areas and metropolitan France. A law would be on the Moroccan west coast, which of August 1948 permitted resumption of trade would then provide an interior route from in gold in Morocco, and it has become an the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. This important center for gold transactions. Small project would increase trackage by 1,750 miles denomination coins, up to two francs, of non- and would cost about 29 billion francs ($82,- precious metals also circulate, but they have 860,000). been of little significance since inflationary The primary road network, consisting of forces raised prices to a point where coins some 30,000 miles of improved roads, also is became too cumbersome for transaction concentrated in coastal areas. A 1947 cen- purposes. sus of commercial vehicles indicated slightly The quantity of money in circulation rose over 30,000, which number has been greatly steadily during the war and postwar periods, increased by truck imports. By utilization of as a result of governmental deficit financing the extensive road network, the truck trans- and extensive investment operations insti- port system is providing serious competition gated by French authorities and financiers. for the railroads, and cessation of gasoline The latest available monetary statistics for rationing in mid-1949 further stimulated this inflationary period are shown in the fol- business. Moroccan truckers hauled a lowing chart (comparable statistics for Tu- monthly average of 124,500 metric tons of nisia are not available). SECRET 28 SECRET MONEY IN CIRCULATION LEGAL TENDER BANK DEPOSITS 31 Dec. 1938 638 MOROCCO 831 " 39 1,072 1,152 " 45 13,167 11,924 ,, 46 14,887 24,198 ,, 47 19,107 31,265 " 48 24,151 46,999 " 49 26,721 49,888 ALGERIA 1 Sept. 39 3,200 4,000 30 Sept. 45 25,573 18,562 " 46 26,990 27,058 59 48 43,000 45,000 (Figures shown are in millions of francs) WE 950 Inflation has interfered with postwar eco- on 1 January 1948 by a directive from the nomic recovery in the three countries, just as Direction des Finances, the government organ it has done in France and many other areas. which frames bank policies, requiring affili- The Moroccan inflation has been particularly ated banks to report all loans in excess of bad, because of the better prospects for in- 1,500,000 francs. So far the bank has not vesting fugitive capital from metropolitan acted as a direct loan control agency, al- France. During 1949, however, there has though indirectly its influence is exerted been repatriation of money to France, ac- through its regular functions. Machinery for companied by a decrease of money in circu- supervision over the granting of all credit in lation and a decrease in checking accounts. the country having been established, in- Apparently this contribution to inflation has creased governmental controls over the econ- largely run its course. omy may be forthcoming. (2) Central Banking. The primary difference between the cen- By the Act of Algeciras in 1906 a central tral banking in Morocco, on the one hand, and bank was created for Morocco, the Banque in Algeria and Tunisia, on the other, is that d'Etat du Maroc, the controlling interest in a single institution, the Banque de l'Algérie et which is held by a private firm in France, the de la Tunisie, has had the sole privilege of Banque de Paris et des Pays Bas, although its operating for both countries. The bank is direction is now in the hands of the Protec- owned and controlled by the Government of torate Government. Its functions are those France. When in 1948 the Tunisian Govern- of an ordinary central bank: issuance of cur- ment received without payment from France rency, depository for state funds, clearing house, rediscounting, and the operation of a bloc of the bank's shares, it for the first time branch establishments. Although most of gained an element of control in the bank. the twenty-odd commercial banks in Morocco Simultaneously the French ceded an even are affiliated with the central bank, their larger bloc to the Algerian Government Gen- credit policies are not yet under its super- eral. Little or no change in bank policy is vision. A step in this direction was taken expected in the immediate future. SECRET SECRET 29 OUTSTANDING BANK LOANS IN MOROCCO (billions of francs) DEC. DEC. DEC. DEC. 20 NOV. 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 30.8 30 22.4 20 13.6 10 6.2 2.7 WE 1050 (3) Commercial Banking. the Banque de Paris et des Pays Bas con- Commercial banks in French North Africa sented, at the request of the French Govern- are privately owned, many being branches of ment, to lend funds to the faltering Sherifian the larger private banks in France. Short- Government and negotiated the 5 percent term credit is little in demand, for the ancient Moroccan loan of 1904; in 1906 it took part native specie habits still prevail to such an in the creation of a central bank for Morocco; extent that most business is transacted on a it created the Régie des Tabacs (Tobacco cash basis. The use of checking accounts is Monopoly); and it formed the Compagnie far less prevalent than in Western Europe, Générale du Maroc through whose intermedi- notwithstanding a postwar trend in the direc- ary it contributes to the construction and de- tion of replacing currency in circulation by velopment of the railways, port installations, the use of bank deposits. electric power supply and distribution, and Postwar bank loans in Morocco have grown road transportation. considerably, a trend which reflects increased Another example is that of Mirabaud et investment activities as well as the falling Compagnie, a bank which has belonged to a value of the franc. single French family for generations, and The primary reason for the increase in loans which is especially active in mining undertak- is the abundance of capital coming from ings in Tunisia, such as the rich Phosphates France during the latter's unsettled economic de Gafsa, lead and zinc mines in Morocco and political conditions. Most loans are from through participation in the Métallurgie de 30 to 90 days, as banks are cautious about Penarroya, mineral prospecting and promo- long-term loans. tional ventures throughout French North In Algeria loans were more limited, total- Africa by the intermediary of its subsidiary ling only 2.4 billion francs in 1948, in spite Société Française d'Etudes et d'Entreprises. of an abundance of liquid funds. Many others, including the Rothschild bank- While there is no outstanding example of ing dynasty, have been interested in finan- the existence of the ownership and control of cial ventures in the three areas, so that a the leading commercial banks in French considerable segment of existing larger enter- North Africa by private industry, banking in- prises which have not been nationalized are terests control large segments of industry. either owned or partially controlled by the French military occupation of each country banks. was followed by economic penetration, The effect of various French fiscal and trade wherein French private banking interests policies with respect to French North Africa were active in establishing control over po- has been to favor French banking almost to tential trading and industrial possibilities. the exclusion of foreign-owned and controlled In Morocco, for example, from 1902 onward banking interests. As a consequence, so lim- SECRET 30 SECRET ited is the field of opportunity open to for- Government finance in Morocco is a dual eign banking that no important foreign banks function, for in addition to the French Pro- operate in the areas, except two Italian banks tectorate Administration budget, the Makh- in Tunisia and a British bank in Algiers. zen, or native Moorish Government, has its In addition to commercial banks, there are own separate budget. Comparison of the government-owned and controlled savings in- 1948 Makhzen budget of 277 million francs stitutions, postal and ordinary, throughout with the 22,482 million franc budget of the the three areas. Current deposits with sav- Protectorate Administration in Morocco indi- ings institutions are many times those of pre- cates the limited sphere of operations of the war, reflecting the inflation as well as a pref- native government. The other two countries erence for increased liquidity. A number of have this duality of government but not of insurance companies, predominantly French, budget. also have investment banking activities which Preparation of budgets is a function of the are controlled to a high degree by the gov- local governments, subject to final approval ernment. Because the two most notable eco- by the French Ministries of Interior (Algerian nomic features of the area are a low stand- budget), Foreign Affairs (Moroccan and Tu- ard of living and an extremely unequal dis- nisian budgets), and Finance. In Tunisia ap- tribution of wealth, the role of savings insti- proval by the Grand Council is required, un- tutions is to accumulate a large share of the less the Tunisian and French Sections of the available money suitable for investment. Council disagree, in which case the Mixed These large savings comprise an important Delegation makes the decision. Since 1947, part of the total purchasing power, approxi- the Algerian Assembly approves the budget mately 90 percent of which is concentrated in after its proposal by the Governor General and the hands of Europeans and wealthy natives prior to final approval in Paris. Contribu- who together constitute but 10 percent of the tions from French North Africa to the French population. Government for military purposes were in- (4) Government Finance. creased during the war (the maximum Al- gerian contribution was 600 million francs in The three countries have similar, but sepa- 1943) and subsequently reduced. Postwar rate, methods of government finance. The contributions have been largely returned for budget systems are patterned after that of social welfare and reconstruction. France, insofar as each has an ordinary budg- et, an extraordinary budget, and one or more Revenues are derived principally from tax- special budgets. The ordinary budget covers ation, customs duties and income from state- the regular recurring expenses of the govern- owned properties and monopolies. For the ment departments; the extraordinary budget fiscal year 1949, Morocco's budgeted revenues is used for such projects as new public works, included 5,980 million francs from direct and, more recently, postwar reconstruction. taxes, 8,088 million francs from customs du- The 1949 Tunisian budgets totalled 29.1 bil- ties, 2,165 million francs from indirect taxes, lion francs, of which over one-third is obtained and 1,745 million francs from registration and from French appropriations-3 billion francs stamp taxes. Another major source of in- from ECA counterpart funds and 7 billion come was 6,408 million francs income from francs from regular appropriations-which the state monopolies of Morocco. The Al- have been the primary source of deficit finance gerian budget for 1949 was based on expected and hence are inflationary in character. The tax revenues of 31,160 million francs, income 1949 Moroccan budget totalled 31.3 billion, of from state properties of 777.6 million francs which 12 billion francs are loaned from French and 1,864 million francs from miscellaneous counterpart funds, and 0.2 billion are ad- sources. While the Tunisian budget was not vances from the French Treasury. The Al- broken down, anticipated revenue in 1949 gerian budget for 1949 totalled 52.5 billion from all sources was 16,340 million francs. francs. Special loans are floated from time to With negligible exceptions, taxation is for time as additional sources of deficit finances. support of the local governments. There is SECRET SECRET 31 virtually no taxation in the area by the cen- Savings had been low and most funds for tral government at Paris. Revenue from credit operations had come from abroad with taxes is high relative to that in France. For high rates of interest. The protectorate gov- example, Algerian taxes in 1948 consumed 25 ernments had leaned heavily on their central percent of the country's national income com- banks for investment financing. Since the pared to 19 percent in France. Most taxes cessation of hostilities there has been, until are borne by the consumer, and cannot easily recent months, a heavy influx of private capi- be increased because of the public's limited tal from France, because of the relatively less purchasing power. stable conditions in metropolitan France. Expenditures prior to the war were made for Such funds were invested in industrial enter- the most part from the Ordinary Budget and prises, mining, land and the building boom, were allocated among the various departments notably in Morocco where the bulk of the "hot of government for administrative purposes. money" is to be found. It is estimated that In the postwar period, expenditures have in- 10 billion francs (about $30 million) entered creased rapidly as a result both of increased Morocco as fugitive capital in 1948 alone. costs during an inflationary period and of the The effects of postwar capital influx have enlarged scope of governmental economic been: (1) a heavy contribution to inflation functions. Whereas the majority of prewar by stimulation of investment activities; (2) expense was for personnel, outlays for build- lowering exorbitant interest rates to normal; ing and equipment are now nearly as large (3) a large increase in short-term bank as for payrolls. Reconstruction of war dam- loans-relative to long-term loans-for the age and public works projects in combination banks fear a sudden withdrawal of deposits for accounted for 61 percent of budgeted expendi- repatriation to France; and (4) speculation in tures for the Tunisian Protectorate for 1948. many directions, aiding prosperity for the In Algeria and Morocco, where war damage wealthy minority. was negligible, public works projects consti- Further extensive private investment, how- tute about one-half of government expendi- ever, appears unlikely, for the trend has re- tures. versed as a consequence of improved condi- tions in France, returning confidence in the Budgetary deficits have been largely French franc, and glutting some French financed by loans and Treasury advances from North African markets. the Government of France. Although an ad- ditional burden to the French taxpayer, these e. International Trade. "subsidies" are employed as a means of re- The relative importance of foreign trade to enforcing political domination of the area. the three areas is indicated by the value of ex- During recent years, the proportions of French ports per capita for 1948: Algeria, 8,400 francs, financial aid has been increasing, until the and Morocco and Tunisia each about 4,000 1949 budgets of Morocco and Tunisia provided francs. For French North Africa as a whole, for deficits of 10 and 13 billion francs, respec- the per capita value of exports in 1948 was tively. slightly less than 6,000 francs, as compared The public debts of those two areas had with the figure for the metropole of 10,400 at the end of 1949 exceeded 40 billion francs francs. in Morocco and 31 billion francs in Tunisia. French North Africa is particularly impor- These debts were expected to reach 54 and 40 tant as a market for French metropolitan billion francs, respectively, before the end goods, accounting for 28 percent of France's of 1950. The Algerian public debt is expected exports in 1948. As a source of supply, to reach 30 billion francs by the end of the French North Africa accounted for 16 percent 1951 fiscal year (31 March 1951). of France's imports in 1948. French North Africa exceeds in importance all other French (5) Capital Movements. overseas territories, accounting in 1948 for Capital had been at a premium in all three about 65 percent of France's trade with all countries prior to the end of the recent war. French overseas territories. SECRET 32 Licenses are required in Algeria and Tunisia DISTRIBUTION OF PHOSPHATE ROCK EXPORTS for trade with countries outside the franc zone. JANUARY-JUNE 1949 In French Morocco licenses are also required, (In metric tons) except for a list of 20 items which may be im- MOROCCO ALGERIA TUNISIA ported without license, provided the importer France 247,925 50, 403 190, 352 does not request an official allocation of for- Great Britain 352,523 23,975 213,531 eign exchange. Import permits are restricted Italy 212,941 15,920 162, 546 to goods which are essential to the economy Spain 127,079 25, 835 80, 410 of the respective areas and which France and Portugal 48,730 11,950 19, 460 its possession cannot supply in sufficient Germany 73,809 115,767 Netherlands 148,258 48,680 50,766 quantities. Belgium 133,737 29, 396 (1) Commodity Composition of Trade. Yugoslavia 12,900 9, 710 Poland 12, 210 2,650 French North Africa exports agricultural Hungary 4,650 2, 438 products, minerals, and metals; it imports Finland 26,481 tropical food products (coffee, sugar, tea), tex- Czechoslovakia 20,614 tiles, steel, and manufactured goods. Other 637, 033 51, 155 54, 198 By far the most important export by value Total Exports 1,908,226 331,487 978, 319 is Algerian wine, which in 1948 accounted for more than half of Algeria's total export trade exports and less than 2 percent of Algeria's and about a third of the total value of all exports), lead (12 percent of Tunisia's exports French North African exports. Although the and 1 percent of Morocco's exports), and man- volume of production and exports of wine are ganese (4 percent of Morocco's exports). well below the prewar level, total value has Of the total value of imported commodities increased because of the higher level of post- in 1947, fuel (coal and petroleum) and wood war prices. accounted for over 10 percent. Cotton fabrics; The second most important export com- coffee, sugar and tea, as a group, and auto- modity is phosphate rock, accounting for mobiles and parts, each accounted for be- about 17 percent of Morocco's exports, 24 per- tween 5 and 10 percent of the total. Wheat cent of Tunisia's exports, less than 2 percent and rice, meat and dairy products, and peanut of Algeria's exports, and 8 percent of total oil (the locally produced and more valuable French North Africa's exports in 1948. Phos- olive oil being exported) were smaller but phate rock being a low value commodity, value nevertheless significant import categories. data fail to reflect the significance of North Imports of agricultural machinery, particu- Africa as a world supplier. The most impor- larly for Morocco, are increasing under the tant markets are France, Great Britain, and ECA program. Italy. The very wide distribution of phos- phate rock is shown in the following table. (2) Geographical Distribution of Trade. Canned fish was Morocco's second most im- Trade with the French Union (chiefly met- ropolitan France) accounts for well over two- portant export in 1948, accounting for 13 per- thirds of the total trade of French North cent of total Moroccan exports and approxi- Africa. Of the three areas, Morocco has mately 4 percent of North African exports in 1948. shown the largest increase in postwar trade with France. Before the war the area as a Dried figs and dates from Algeria were the whole exported more (about 13 percent more fourth most important North African export in 1938) to France than it imported; imports in 1948, amounting to about 6 percent of Al- increased more sharply after the war than ex- gerian exports and slightly less than 4 percent ports, and by 1947 the area had a 30 percent of the total for the whole area. trade deficit with France. The drain on the Other export commodities in order of im- metropole continued at about this rate during portance by value (1948) for the area as a 1948. French policy, the overvalued franc, whole were iron ore (7 percent of Tunisia's and the world-wide payments difficulties of the SECRET 33 postwar period have undoubtedly contributed (3) Balance of Payments. to the concentration of North African trade Each of the three countries has always within the franc area. shown a deficit in the balance of payments on Prewar trade with the United States was current account (which in addition to com- negligible, and exports have never assumed modities trade includes the invisible items of significant proportions. Imports, on the other profit remittances, bank charges, shipping hand, increased spectacularly after the war to costs, interest on investments, loans and the satisfy deferred requirements for manufac- public debt, and tourist payments), made pos- tured goods, the US accounting for about a sible by contributions from the French budget, fourth of each area's total imports in 1946. by loans guaranteed by the French Govern- Shortage of dollar exchange and the increased ment, and by private investment from France. availability of capital and consumer goods The deficit increased during the latter part of from France caused a falling off of imports World War II with heavy importing for the from the dollar area in 1947 and 1948. In military occupation and with decreased ex- 1948, however, the value of US exports to porting caused by droughts and war disrup- French North Africa was $72 million, or al- tions. In the postwar years the deficit has most seven times the value of US imports grown rapidly. from French North Africa. Machinery and Complete figures for the international pay- steel mill products accounted for 40 percent ments situation of French North Africa are of the total, grain (to Algeria) 21 percent, coal not available. Trade in commodities accounts and petroleum 16 percent, and textiles form the greatest part of the deficit. The (chiefly cotton fabrics) 7 percent. US imports next most important item of foreign exchange from French North Africa amounting to $10.7 expenditure is interest payments on invest- million consisted of olive oil (principally from ments and loans. Tourism is also a net for- Morocco) 35 percent; iron ore (mainly from eign exchange expenditure, for the money Algeria) 23 percent; cork (about two-thirds spent by wealthy natives who periodically de- from Algeria) 17 percent. Although most of part for cooler lands is not entirely offset by the North African iron ore went to the UK, foreign tourists. Other negative balances are French North Africa exported to the US shipping charges, primarily to France, and 470,272 long tons, or 7.7 percent of US total premiums to France for several kinds of in- imports of iron ore in 1948. North African surance, to the US for fire, to Switzerland for cork accounted for 15 percent of the total accident, and to the UK for marine insurance. value of US imports of cork in 1948. Efforts The only net receipt of foreign exchange on are being made under the ECA program to in- current account in French North Africa is a crease exports to the US and to curb dollar negligible one, wages sent home by the 100,000 imports, SO that by 1952 the area hopes to Algerians and the Moroccans working in balance its dollar account. France. French North African trade with the UK A reduction in inflow of foreign exchange has traditionally provided the French Union during recent years has been caused by de- with net earnings of sterling. In 1947, for creased exports as a result of grain and olive example, the UK was the market for 12 per- crop failures brought on by the drought years cent of Tunisia's exports, 7 percent of Moroc- of 1943 through 1945, and by postwar infla- co's exports and 4 percent of Algeria's exports. tionary forces which have raised prices of ex- Phosphate rock from Morocco and Tunisia ac- port products above world market prices. In counted for 88 percent of the UK's imports of addition to a reduction in foreign exchange phosphate from all sources in 1947 and 1948. income, the deficit has been enlarged by ex- North African iron ore exports to the UK were traordinary expenditures on imports used in of even greater value and represented 25 per- reconstruction and by higher world prices cent of the UK's total iron ore imports for (which affect adversely all countries with an 1947 and 1948. import surplus). 34 SECRET Two trends have been important in the post- ever, are initiated in Paris and are in line with war balance of payments on current accounts. the French Government's devaluation poli- One is heavy dollar expenditures and the other cies. At the time of each successive devalu- is increasing trade in the French franc. The ation it was hoped that no substantial increase former is attributable to purchases of US man- in the cost of living would result and prices ufactured goods, a large portion of which has would remain steady, in order that more goods been financed by ECA aid; the latter can be could be sold to the hard currency countries. largely accounted for by the French North The cost of living is still increasing, however, African export price situation. Commodities and wages and prices are rising. Following out-priced in world markets (grains, fruits, each devaluation, export prices have gener- wines, and minerals such as manganese) can ally aligned themselves with the new rates of be sold in France, which is ready and willing exchange, and increased exporting to coun- to pay above world prices for goods that can tries other than France has been largely be purchased with francs. Not only does in- thwarted. creased trade with its overseas territories fit (4) ECA Aid. in with the French conception of overseas territorial functions, but also exports of metro- Heavy postwar imports have been made pos- politan France have tended since World War sible in large part by reallocations to French I to be too highly priced for sale in world mar- North Africa of US aid to France. Of the $1.3 kets. Hence, overseas territorial trade has billion of ECA shipments realized to France appeared to the French to be doubly advan- and its overseas territories as of 31 January tageous. The combined trends of increased 1950, $96 million, or 7.1 percent of the total, trade with France and increased imports from have been shipped to French North Africa. the US permitted foreign exchange other than This value is almost 50 percent greater than dollars and French francs to constitute but a the value of shipments to the other French small part of the postwar international cur- overseas territories combined. It now appears rency transactions in French North Africa that the program for overseas territories will until 1948, when increasing receipts of sterling require some 20 percent of all ECA dollars developed from the reviving export trade to available to France through the fiscal year 1951-52. the UK. The governments of the three territories A breakdown of aid to each of the three have taken similar measures to combat the countries is not available, but statistics on the payments problem. Foreign commerce, other kinds of commodities shipped to the area as a than with France and the French overseas ter- whole are indicated in the following chart. ritories, has been subject to licensing since the That the lion's share is in fuels and equip- beginning of World War II. Foreign currency ment indicates a trend, however small, toward is allocated, in principle, only for importation industrialization. of goods essential to the economy and unob- In addition to the outright allocation of tainable in France or its possessions. A con- ECA funds, a total of 19,730 million francs in siderable quantity of exchange, however, en- counterpart funds were loaned by France to ters and leaves the countries through smug- French North Africa in 1948-49 (Algeria gling operations, especially to Tangier, where 11,132, Morocco 3,848, and Tunisia 4,750 mil- there is a free market for all currencies. lion francs). These funds are, for the most The devaluations of the franc in December part, expended for equipment and materials 1945, January 1948, and September 1949 tem- used in public works, such as irrigation and porarily helped bring prices more nearly into power projects and port and road construc- line with world markets. Such changes, how- tion. SECRET 35 ECA AID TO FRENCH NORTH AFRICA-as of 31 January 1950 Coal and related fuels $8,577,000 Other industrial supplies $11,064,000 Total food and agricultural $13,549,000 Ocean freight $16,126,000 Crude oil and petroleum products $23,348,000 Equipment $23,697,000 TOTAL $96,361,000 = 7.1% of US Aid to France WE 1150 SECRET CHAPTER III FOREIGN AFFAIRS 1. Genesis of Present Foreign Policies. pended just prior to the second World War. Because Morocco and Tunisia are French Discussions are once more in progress, but protectorates and Algeria is an integral part on a lower level, not only in regard to extra- of the French Republic, the foreign affairs of territorial but also in respect to certain com- French North Africa are directed by the Quai mercial rights. The French have at times seemed on the d'Orsay. The French have become SO accustomed to point of submitting the question of US capitu- conducting the diplomatic business of these latory rights to the International Court of Justice. Should the US be divested of these states that they regard the activities of the United Nations involving Tunisia, Algeria, and rights, the Sultan would lose one of the last Morocco as invasions of French prerogatives. evidences which support Morocco's claim to French foreign policy directives are imple- status as an international personality. mented, and negotiations with foreign diplo- Under the terms of a tripartite agreement matic representatives are conducted by the between US, UK, and France, US civil and Resident Generals of the Tunisian and Moroc- military aircraft are permitted to overfly can protectorates, in their capacities as For- French North Africa and land at designated eign Ministers for the Bey and Sultan, and by airfields in stipulated numbers. the Governor General of Algeria. 3. Significant International Issues. 2. Significant Relations with Other Nations. Algeria is included in the North Atlantic The most-favored-nation treaties between Treaty as an integral part of France; Morocco the Sultan of Morocco and the US, signed in and Tunisia, being protectorates, are not in- 1787 and 1836 and reaffirmed by the Act of cluded. There can be little doubt, however, Algeciras in 1906, gave the US extraterritorial, that any substantial increment of US arms to or capitulatory, rights. Under them US citi- the French Army will further strengthen zens have broad economic rights. Moreover, French control of the whole of French North they and their proteges are subject only to Africa. US law enforced by the Consular Courts at Native politicians are fully aware of this and Tangier and Casablanca. have expressed the hope that US arms will not In 1871 the Sultan, fearing even then that be employed by the French against native na- his empire was on the point of being dismem- tionalist movements. Despite these appre- bered by the European powers, asked the US hensions, native opinion continues to be sym- to establish a protectorate in his country. The pathetic toward US policies in general and to US declined, but is today the only foreign the over-all intent of the North Atlantic power that maintains a diplomatic mission Treaty. (its Tangier legation) accredited to the Although French North Africa is not di- Sultan. rectly represented in the United Nations, vari- Franco-American relations in this area have ous nationalist leaders have been attempting been in frequent dispute despite the qualified to stimulate UN interest in the social and eco- recognition of the French protectorate by the nomic conditions existing under the French US in 1917. The French would like to termi- protectorate administrations of Morocco and nate US extraterritorial rights, and negotia- Tunisia. Their hope is that an investigating tions having that end in view were suspended committee of the UN would make a report that when the US entered the first World War. would be favorable to the cause of native na- Subsequently renewed, they were again sus- tionalism. SECRET 37 SECRET CHAPTER IV MILITARY SITUATION 1. Genesis of Present Military Policies. 90,000 French troops were in the whole area. Under the Protectorate Treaties which de- There is every indication that this figure will be maintained, pending further clarification of termine French military policy in Tunisia and the situation in Indochina. The distribution Morocco, the native rulers may not maintain of ground forces is approximately as follows: regular military establishments. Internal se- Morocco, 40,000; Algeria, 40,000; Tunisia, curity in both protectorates, as in Algeria, is 10,000. The Fezzan is garrisoned by several a responsibility of the French Army, approxi- hundred men, chiefly located in and around mately twenty percent of which is usually dis- Sebha, capital of the region. posed in French North Africa. A number of French Air Force planes sufficient for internal (1) Composition and Morale. security purposes is assigned to the area; but Army units are made up of regulars, volun- they would be valueless against invasion. The teers, and French and Algerian conscripts. French Navy maintains three bases in North (There is no compulsory military service in Africa: Bizerte, Casablanca, and Mers-el- the protectorates of Tunisia and Morocco.) Kebir (Oran). The last is being developed The Berber segments of the populations pro- and may well become the main operating base duce good soldiers; the famed "Goumiers" are of the French Navy in North Africa. among the world's best fighting men. Com- Large-scale military operations by the ing from the rural tribes, they fought magnifi- French in North Africa would be handicapped cently under Abd-el-Krim, who led them in logistically by the absence of industrial and rebellion against the French and Spanish two manufacturing plants, although local repair decades ago, and again (83,000 strong) under facilities are adequate for normal peacetime French officers in World War II. Some doubt requirements. exists, however, as to the loyalty of these na- tive troops in the event of a large-scale na- 2. Strength and Disposition of the Armed tionalist uprising. Inasmuch as they consti- Forces. tute 37 percent of the French Army in North a. Army. Africa, defection on their part might seriously After the cessation of hostilities in 1945, the compromise French security. French gradually increased their effective Considerable improvement has recently military strength in North Africa until by the been noted in the morale of French army offi- end of 1947 approximately 125,000 men were cers in North Africa, which has, in turn, in the area. This force, about one-fifth of the greatly improved the effectiveness of the French Army, was deemed adequate to meet ground forces. Despite a sharp reduction in any contingency short of concerted, wide- personnel since 1947, the ground forces have spread, native rebellion. been transformed into an effective military In the past two years, revolts in Madagascar machine. The credit for this metamorphosis and Indochina and budgetary considerations is due to the able leadership of General Juin, have obliged France to withdraw troops from whose work has been assisted by the arrival North Africa. In December 1948, General of many experienced regular soldiers now be- Juin, Commander in Chief of all Armed Forces ing rotated from Indochina. in North Africa, set 104,000 men as the mini- A General Staff, originally planned by and mum number required for the maintenance intended for the use of the late General Le- of order. Nevertheless, by 1 March 1950 only clerc, has been established in Algiers. Its SECRET 39 40 SECRET size, its scope, and the high rank of its mem- autey. The naval base at Mers-el-Kebir is bers indicate that a new and important phase undergoing reconstruction and extension de- of discussions on the strategic defense of the signed to make it the most completely area has begun. This development suggests equipped French naval base in Africa and to that General Juin may be compelled to devote serve as the southern terminus of the France- more of his efforts to his duties as Commander North Africa lifeline in the event of an emer- in Chief, and to relinquish some of his political gency. The shore establishments have repair responsibilities as Resident General of facilities which are employed by units of the Morocco. French Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets. (2) The Native Military Academy. A new development is underway at Arzew, A military academy for natives, known as near Oran, where the French have established Dar El Beida (White House), was established a joint amphibious training center. The arti- at Meknes, Morocco, in 1919 by Marshal ficial harbor, which is not a commercial port, Lyautey. Its organization was entrusted to serves also as a submarine and seaplane base. the capable hands of General Juin, then a cap- This site was selected outside metropolitan tain; General Leclerc, then a lieutenant, was France for strategic reasons. among the school's earliest instructors. c. Air Force. Lyautey's objective was to provide basic civil Because of its favorable climate and geo- education and training in a military atmos- graphic situation, Morocco is the principal phere for sons of prominent native families. basic training area for the entire French Air Students were to be trained for important Force, as well as the concentration area for posts in the Sherifian Government (Makh- the operational units assigned for service in zen). Lyautey believed that the nomadic and North Africa. The French Air Force has its warlike Berbers of the interior would be more fighter training school at Meknes. While the effective friends for France than would the North African air command is totally inade- timid and sedentary Arabs of the littoral. The quate for large military operations, and is school has, therefore, graduated only four severely handicapped by dwindling and obso- non-Berbers since its foundation. The ability lescent materiel, it is able to carry out such which the school's graduates have demon- light bombing, patrol, reconnaissance, and strated in various civil and military posts has liaison activities as may be required to con- justified Lyautey's expectations. trol the natives. Dar El Beida can accommodate about a Bomber units are composed of old US, hundred students; at present slightly more French, and British types. The fighter force than eighty are in attendance. Graduates consists of British and US World War II air- are eligible on equal terms with French stu- craft; the types most serviceable and in con- dents for admission to French military stant use are: Mosquitoes, Thunderbolts, Air- schools. Of the seventeen students graduat- cobras, and Spitfires. Total aircraft in North ing in June 1949, eight applied for admission Africa number 341, assigned as follows: to the French Military Academy at Coëtqui- French Air Force tactical units 137, trainers dan, in Brittany. 142, naval air units 30, naval trainers 32. b. Navy. Present personnel, including 200 pilots, con- While the French Navy maintains a few sists of 450 officers and 3,500 other ranks. minor ships on permanent duty in North Afri- In this area there are 139 existing airfields: can waters, the area's proximity to southern 48 in French Morocco, 71 in Algeria, and 20 in France renders it valuable for naval logistic Tunisia. Most of them are small, natural- support and as an alternate principal base surfaced fields which are used infrequently. area for the French fleet. In addition to the Thirteen of the French Moroccan fields are naval bases at Bizerte, Casablanca, and Mers- considered important to military operations. el-Kebir, naval air stations are operated at In this group, Casablanca/Cazes, Khouribga, Agadir, Khouribga, Arzew, Lartigue and Ka- Marrakech, and Rabat/Salé airfields are suit- rouba, and jointly with the US at Port Ly- able for limited medium bomber operations. SECRET SECRET 41 Agadir/Ben Sergao, Meknes, and Port Lyautey 3. War Potential. are classified as light bomber fields. With a. Manpower. minor improvements, five others could be used Because Algeria is part of metropolitan by light bombers. France, its male population is subject to con- Algeria has twenty airfields of military sig- scription under the laws that require military nificance, including: Algiers/Maison Blanche, training throughout the Republic. Tunisia suitable for medium bomber operations; and Morocco, on the other hand, being pro- Oran/La Senia, capable of limited medium tectorates, are not subject to this law. In bomber use after runway repair; Blida and these areas, the French rely on voluntary en- Tafaraoui, for light bombers (nine other air- listment, chiefly from nomadic tribesmen, to fields have runways suitable for light bombers, fill the ranks of native units of the French but completely lack base facilities); and seven Army. fields requiring runway repairs and provision Although there are over one million males of of base facilities to accommodate light military age in Algeria fit for some kind of bombers. military service, conscription in Algeria aver- Tunis/El Aouina and Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed ages only 30,000 a year. Voluntary enlist- ments on an annual basis from the protecto- airfields, suitable for light bomber operations, are the best airfields in Tunisia. The runway rates and from Algeria average far less. Vol- at Kairouan/Hami is suitable for light bomb- unteers are, for the most part, professional ers, but has no base facilities. Three other soldiers interested in adventure, plunder, and fields show possibilities for light bomber oper- pensions. ations, but runway repairs and complete in- At present there is a general lack of equip- stallation of field facilities would be required. ment and training facilities in the area. b. Industry and Natural Resources. The French and US Air Forces are con- structing jointly a large airfield in Morocco Local industry cannot support even the at Nouaseur, fifteen miles south of Casa- present relatively small military forces; nor is blanca. This project is expected to be com- this situation likely to be remedied in the im- pleted in 1951, providing space and facilities mediate future, for lack of essential fuels, for future US maintenance and repair require- equipment, and skilled labor. ments similar to the US Naval Air Activity in- Food production is little more than adequate stallations at Port Lyautey. to meet the normal peacetime requirements of the native population, and would be insuffi- d. Police and Security Forces. cient to supply the needs of a military force. Although uranium ores are reported, it is Rural Morocco, northern Algeria, and Tu- believed that the quantity available is insig- nisia are policed by units of the Gendarmerie nificant. Some monazite (a source of thor- Nationale and the Garde Républicaine (some- ium) has been reported. (See Chapter II, times referred to as the Garde Mobile), which Mineral Resources.) are under the direction of the French Ministry c. Science. of the Interior, but controlled in French North Africa by the Residents General of Morocco There are no industrial plants or equipment and practically no research facilities suitable and Tunisia and the Governor General of Al- for the manufacture of atomic weapons. geria. Although para-military in organiza- A guided missile and rocket testing range tion, training, and discipline, these three or- and experimental station is located at Colomb ganizations are distinct from the military Béchar (Algeria). The range has limited in- forces in North Africa. The cities maintain strumentation; it will be completed in 1952. their own police departments. The vast Another testing range located at Abadla is in southern territories, which embrace more the initial project stage. than half of Algeria, and the whole of the Fez- A field testing station, operated by the zan, remain under direct military control. French Army, for biological and chemical war- 42 SECRET fare experiments is located at Beni-Ounif, near toral. It is generally paralleled by a single- the oasis town of Figuig (Algeria). The track steam and electric railroad system. Pasteur Institutes in North Africa are not be- Since the road and the railroad cross moun- lieved to be engaged in biological warfare re- tains, many rivers and ravines, traffic can be search. easily interrupted by bombing the numerous tunnels, passes, and bridges which are essen- 4. Military Intentions and Capabilities. tial to the operation of the systems. Both the The military resources of this area in an roads and railroads are scarcely adequate for emergency could be placed under the complete normal peacetime traffic and would have to be control of the French national defense estab- substantially strengthened to sustain large- lishment. The 90,000 troops in the area are scale military operations. The north-south barely sufficient to maintain internal order, road systems which communicate with the in- and could not repel a determined invasion by terior are, to a large extent, primitive. a modern attacking force. The internal logistic situation is approxi- In the event of another invasion the move- mately what it was at the end of World War ment of supplies would be dominantly a ma- II. A single east-west highway runs along rine problem. Port facilities are open to both the Mediterranean and skirts the Atlantic lit- sea and air attack. SECRET CHAPTER V STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING US SECURITY French North Africa is strategically im- are capable of further development in a rela- portant to the United States because of its tively short period of time. geographic location in relation to the Eura- So long as France remains amenable to US sian land mass. It is essential to the security policy, and so long as Algeria, Tunisia, and interests of the United States that this area Morocco remain peaceful and under French be denied to the USSR in that it could serve control, US security is enhanced offensively as a base from which military operations could and defensively. Political instability in be launched onto the European Continent and France, the strain on French manpower and as a buffer area to a power in possession of the finance incident to the war in Indochina, the continent. Control of the area thus would be persistent but as yet ineffective nationalist vital to control of the western Mediterranean claims for independence, and Communist ac- and its Atlantic approaches. Although lack- tivities within the area are all matters which ing in industrial facilities of any consequence, affect French policy but they are not likely, French North Africa presently possesses sub- singly or collectively, to overthrow French rule stantial air, naval, and ground facilities which in North Africa. SECRET 43 SECRET CHAPTER VI FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING US SECURITY Future developments in French North for Communist doctrine also precludes the pos- Africa affecting US security depend almost sibility that Communism will come to power wholly upon the conditions which will pre- in these areas in the foreseeable future. It is vail in metropolitan France and upon the will far more likely, on the other hand, that France of the French Government to maintain the will continue in a somewhat slow and halting status quo in the continent of Africa. So long manner to foster the industrial development as France is not forced into the role of a of the region and to yield gradually and as- Soviet Satellite and so long as US policy and tutely to the pressures exerted by the native French policy are compatible, no change will population for better living conditions, equal- take place in the present situation. The na- ity of opportunity, and finally, for more po- tives of French North Africa are politically so litical power. divided and apathetic as to prevent for a con- It is probable that France will make every siderable time the native nationalist move- effort to maintain its position in French North ments from gaining sufficient electoral or mili- Africa and that, unless France itself is com- tary power to alter the situation. The same munized, conditions in French North Africa general condition plus the antipathy of Islam will not adversely affect US security. 45 SECRET CHAPTER VII THE FEZZAN Any consideration of French North Africa Toubou, a black race speaking a Sudanese dia- must include mention of the little-known lect, completely Islamized and renowned as Fezzan, a vast topographic depression com- cameleers. parable in size to France itself, situated in The population of the Fezzan totals 60,000, southwest Libya, and separated from the of which about one-third is sedentary and two- Mediterranean to the north by Tripolitania. thirds nomadic or semi-nomadic. The seden- Reaching from the southern part of Tunisia tary Fezzanese live in the valleys and on the southeast to the mountains of the Tibesti escarpments. The oases produce principally range, the Fezzan skirts southern Algeria to dates and grain. the west, French West and Equatorial Africa to the south, and invades the Libyan Desert to 2. French Administration. the east. Before 1942, the Fezzan was part After its occupation by the French, the ad- of the Italian-controlled southern military ministration of the Fezzan was entrusted zone of Libya. During the winter of 1942-43, to the Government General of Algeria by a General (then Colonel) Leclerc's Free French decree of 1 September 1943 issued by General troops occupied this territory in the course of de Gaulle's French Committee of National Lib- their famous forced march from Pointe Noire eration. A senior officer of the Native Affairs in French Equatorial Africa, up the Congo, Service of Algeria was named Military Gover- and overland around Lake Tchad to El Gatrun nor of the Territory, provided with a few hun- in southern Fezzan to join forces with Gen- dred troops, and established at Sebha. eral Montgomery's Eighth Army on the Mar- eth Line in Tunisia. For administrative purposes the Fezzan has been divided by the French into three areas: 1. The Land and People. (1) the Fezzan proper, composed of the sub- The territory is composed of several chains divisions of Brach, Sebha, and Murzuch, gov- of permanently watered oases scattered along erned by a Military Governor directly respon- four relatively fertile valleys. These lie like sible to and deriving authority from Paris; the spread-open fingers of a hand, the palm of (2) the regions of Serdeles and Gat, subject which is on Sebha, the capital, in what is to the control of the military commandant otherwise a wilderness of desert and rocky of the Southern Territories of Algeria; and ridges. These luxuriant oases contrast strik- (3) the region of Gadames, under the author- ingly with the surrounding desert which is ity of the Commanding General of the South- both desolate and forbidding. ern Territory of Tunisia. The Fezzan is one of the principal caravan In the hope of retaining the Fezzan, the crossroads and camel train supply stations for French have expended a considerable amount the peoples of the Sahara. It is supplied with of effort and some money upon its economic 7,000 camels, 16,000 sheep and goats, and more improvement and cultural advancement, in- than 6,000 donkeys. cluding small-scale land reform, local tax ex- The area is a zone of contact for three prin- emptions, water distribution and irrigation cipal nomadic groups: (1) from the north and modernization, seed loans, sanitary and medi- northeast, the Arabized tribes, mostly of Ber- cal attention, and the initiation of modern ber origin; (2) from the west, the Touareg, educational facilities. French schools in the picturesque, blue-veiled, camel-borne warriors region can accommodate 500 children and of the desert; and (3) from the south, the Khattab (religious) schools, 2,000. SECRET 47 48 3. Trade. from nowhere to nowhere, with a date-and- camel economy," and as a place without in- Under French control, Fezzanese trade has terest to the world at large. The French, been diverted from the former centers of however, view the matter differently. They Tripoli and Misurata to Tunisia, Algeria, and consider the Fezzan to be strategically impor- the French Sudan. Factors contributing to tant to France as a relay point for air traffic this change include the construction of a road between France, central Africa, and Madagas- to Tunisia, the use of the Algerian franc car, and politically important as a means of (which is at par with the French franc) as consolidating the frontiers of French North, legal tender, foreign exchange controls, im- West, and Equatorial Africa. Moreover, they port and export licensing requirements, and have expended considerable effort in search rationing of almost all imported goods. of petroleum. The principal commodities with which the The French have been forced, however, to Fezzanese traders and farmers are concerned modify their plans in accordance with the re- are dates, winter wheat, barley, millet, sor- cent resolution of the United Nations General ghum, and tobacco. Dates are the chief ex- Assembly to establish an independent and port, while green tea, coffee, sugar, cotton sovereign Libya by 1952. In order to main- goods, fats, and oils are the leading imports. tain a maximum foothold in the area, there- From 1943 through 1947 the foreign trade, fore, the French in February 1950 established under French occupation and administration, the framework of a semi-autonomous adminis- increased in value, but the balance of trade tration under Bey Ahmed Seif en Naceur, chief became even more unfavorable. of the local Ouled Sliman tribe. This action, as well as that of the British in establishing (in French francs) quasi-autonomy in Cyrenaica, has been a 1944 1947 source of concern to the United Nations Com- Total imports 50,368,000 94,658,000 missioner for Libya, who is charged with as- Total exports 27,135,000 38,065,000 sisting in the formation of an independent state. The High Commissioner feared that The total annual import-export trade for the the hasty establishment of autonomous re- period from 1944 to the second quarter of gimes under the aegis of the French and the 1948 never exceeded two thousand tons. Cus- British might intensify tribal animosities and toms barriers are non-existent. jeopardize the ultimate creation of a unified 4. Future Status. Libyan state. When Libya acquires state- hood, it is probable that France will endeavor The Fezzan is frequently referred to dis- to maintain its predominant influence in the paragingly as "that distant spot on the way Fezzan. SECRET APPENDIX A TERRAIN AND CLIMATE 1. General. 2. Terrain. French North Africa lies between Libya on a. Coastal Lowlands. the east and Spanish Sahara and the Atlantic The Atlantic coastal lowland is a narrow Ocean on the west. French West Africa is plain that rises gradually eastward to the to the south and Spanish Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. The total Moroccan Meseta and the Atlas ranges. The plain is somewhat wider between the Tensift area of the three political units of French and Umm er Rbia rivers than to the north or North Africa-Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia- south. is 1,053,248 square miles, and the total popu- lation is approximately 20,510,000 (1948). The Sebou Basin in the north is a broad, French North Africa is divided into four U-shaped valley between the Rif and Middle principal physiographic regions: (1) a discon- Atlas ranges. The valley narrows in the east tinuous coastal plain, narrow along the west- to approximately a mile and a half near Taza, ern and northern coasts and widening to the forming a gap through which pass the main east along the coast of Tunisia; (2) the Atlas routes of trade between Morocco and Algeria. Mountains and associated plateaus and inter- East of the Taza Gap the tributaries of the montane valleys, which extend across the en- Moulaya River form another basin that drains tire northern section; (3) the Saharan De- toward the Mediterranean. pression, south of the Anti-Atlas and Saharan There is no continuous Mediterranean plain Atlas ranges; and (4) the Ahaggar Massif, in in either Algeria or northern Tunisia. The southeastern Algeria. (See accompanying coast ranges that closely parallel the north- map.) ern coast jut out into the sea in the form of Climatically, French North Africa may be rocky headlands, and plains are found only divided into three zones: (1) a narrow zone where wadis or rivers cut through the moun- of Mediterranean Climate in the north; (2) tains to the sea. In Algeria, the elongated a low latitude steppe zone in the central sec- valley of the Chêlif River, which flows south tion; and (3) a low latitude desert zone in the of and parallel to the coastal range; the Mit- south. idja Sahel, near Algiers; and the plain of Bône Land use in French North Africa reflects the are the only large coastal plains east of Oran. climate and the relief of the various regions. In northeastern Tunisia, the narrow discon- The coastal lowlands and adjacent terraced tinuous coastal plain merges into the broad uplands are farm lands. The lower seaward- delta of the Medjerda River. This is the only facing slopes of the coastal mountains are delta area in northwest Africa, although there either under cultivation or used for grazing; are other areas of alluvium. South along the the higher slopes are forested. In the interior, the steppelands of the High Plateaux region coast from Bon Peninsula to the Libyan border and the slopes of the mountains that face it is a continuous plain that varies in width are used for grazing sheep and goats and for from 15 to 40 miles. Near Gabes a gap be- growing alfa grass. The desert south of the tween the mountains of northwestern Tunisia Anti-Atlas and the Saharan Atlas ranges and and the Ksour Mountains provides access to in southwestern Tunisia is a region of oasis an extensive area of salt marshes and shallow agriculture and nomadic sheep herding. lakes known as the Shott region. SECRET 49 50 SECRET b. Atlas Mountains and Associated Pla- rier to the north-south movement of people teaus and Intermontane Valleys. and trade. The Atlas Mountains and associated pla- Still farther east the Saharan and Tell At- teaus and intermontane valleys extend south- las ranges become higher and converge, unit- west to northeast completely across French ing in the Aures Massif, a region of bold re- North Africa from south of Agadir in Morocco lief and elevations up to 7,500 feet. Although to the Bon Peninsula in northeastern Tunisia. the massif is structurally a part of the Sa- The area is a series of highly complex parallel haran Atlas, it is separated from the main physiographic regions. range by the Hodna Depression. A southern arc of the Rif Mountains of Northern Algeria is in general a region of Spanish Morocco extends into Morocco to the enclosed basins and interior drainage. The Fez-Taza region, where it is separated from Seybouse, Chêlif, Soummam, and Rummel are the Middle Atlas range by a synclinal depres- the only wadis that cut through the Tell Atlas sion. This depression is drained toward the and divert the drainage of small portions of west by the Sebou River and toward the north- the High Plateaux to the Mediterranean. For east by a tributary of the Moulaya River. The the most part, drainage from both the Sa- main watershed of Morocco is the Middle At- haran and Tell Atlas ranges is toward the cen- las Range, which extends northeastward from ter of the Plateaux, where the surface water the central part of the High Atlas and forms collects in depressions and forms salt marshes the divide from which the Umm er Rbia and and lakes (shotts). The southern slopes of Sebou rivers flow westward to the Atlantic the Saharan Atlas are drained by wadis that and the Moulaya flows northeastward to the flow into the desert and disappear in the sandy Mediterranean. The High Atlas and the Anti- wastes. Atlas ranges function as watersheds in the In northern Tunisia, the Kroumirie High- south, but a scarcity of surface water reduces land and the Medjerda Mountains paral- their importance as divides. The Tensift and lel the coast; and the Tunisian Dorsal, the Sus are the most important rivers flowing easternmost extension of the Atlas system, from these ranges. Elevations are in general extends across the north-central section of higher in the southwest and lower toward the country, terminating in the Bon Penin- the northeast. From 13,000 feet in the High sula. Between the two ranges are the high Atlas Range, the elevation declines to about plains of northwestern Tunisia. The Med- 5,000 in eastern Morocco. At the southern jerda River, which flows south of and parallel end of the High Atlas, the Anti-Atlas Range to the northern coastal mountains for 150 separates the basins of the Sus River and the miles, drains the high plains and the border- Wadi Draa. ing mountain slopes. The pattern of parallel ridges and valleys The Ksour Mountains, which have occa- continues eastward, with the high ranges of sional flat-topped summits with elevations of Morocco merging into the Tell Atlas, the High 2,000 feet, parallel the southeastern coast of Plateaux, and the Saharan Atlas. The Tell Tunisia from the vicinity of Medenine to the Atlas is a series of disconnected plateaus Libyan border. These mountains present a along the coast, between which are long, nar- bold escarpment to the east and slope gently row river plains and terraced uplands. These to the sandy lowlands in the west. plains and uplands are the most fertile part of C. Saharan Depression. the Tell region. South of the Saharan Atlas is a region of Elevations in the High Plateaux average lowland plains and plateaus. The region is over 3,500 feet in the western part but de- principally one of vast sand dunes and lime- crease to 1,375 feet in the Hodna Depression, stone hammadas. Elevations range from be- at the narrower eastern end. South of the low sea level, in the Shott Region of west- Plateaux is the Saharan Atlas, a chain of iso- central Tunisia, to approximately 3,000 feet. lated massifs that rise barely 400 feet above The lowland plains of west-central Tunisia the level of the Plateaux and present no bar- and southern Algeria are enclosed basins with SECRET 51 interior drainage. The increase in elevation slopes of the coast ranges lie within the Medi- toward the margin is more rapid toward the terranean climatic zone. Olive and evergreen Atlas Mountains in the north than toward oak trees are typical vegetation. Climatic the plateaus in the south and east and the conditions may vary locally, but there is gen- highlands to the west. eral conformity throughout the region. The Plateau of Tademait, rising above the Over most of the area, average annual rain- depression between the Ahaggar Massif and fall ranges between 16 and 32 inches. The the Western Erg, divides the plain into two Kroumirie Highlands in northwestern Tu- basins. The eastern basin includes south- nisia, however, receive as much as 60 inches western and central Tunisia and east-central of rain annually, whereas in the area west Algeria. The western basin is a part of the of Oran, which lies in the rainshadow of the great depression of the western Sahara. In- Iberian Peninsula and the Rif Mountains, the termittent streams flow from the margins to average annual rainfall is only 8 inches. Most the centers of these basins, where salt marshes of the rain in the region is the result of the and lakes are formed during the rainy season. movement of low-pressure areas from west to d. Ahaggar Massif. east through the Mediterranean in winter. The Ahaggar Massif, in the southernmost In general, the average annual precipitation part of Algeria, is an extremely rugged, decreases southward along the Atlantic coast mountainous highland surrounded by a belt of Morocco and the Mediterranean coast of of sandstone plateaus. Elevations range up eastern Tunisia, and inland from all coastal to 10,000 feet in the mountains, but the sur- regions. rounding plateaus are mostly below 5,000 feet. Although temperatures are relatively uni- Both the Ahaggar and the surrounding pla- form throughout the area, they are higher in teaus are deeply trenched by wadis. Although summer and lower in winter along the Medi- a few of the streams in the higher areas are terranean coast than along the Atlantic. perennial, wadis flowing from the highlands Mean temperatures for the warmest month into the desert during the rainy season pro- vary from 67° to 77° along the Atlantic coast vide the principal drainage. and from 75° to 82° along the Mediterranean. The mean temperature for the coldest month 3. Climate. varies from 54° to 56° along the Atlantic and The three climatic types of French North from 50° to 54° along the Mediterranean. On Africa are differentiated on the basis of win- both coasts temperatures occasionally drop to ter climate. The distinguishing features of freezing, and snow sometimes falls. Along the Mediterranean type of climate are cool, the Mediterranean, temperatures in general wet winters, with the mean temperature of increase from west to east. In the Atlantic the coldest month between 45° and 65° F., and coastal region, the cool Canaries current mod- hot, dry summers. The characteristics of a ifies the influence of latitude, which normally Low Latitude Steppe Climate are cool winters causes an increase in temperature toward the and hot summers, with a mean annual tem- Equator. perature of over 64°, low relative humidity, The seaward slopes of the mountains rising and a marked diurnal range of temperature. behind the coastal lowlands have a modified Most of the rain falls during a short period Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are in the spring. The Low Latitude Desert Cli- lower in winter; average annual precipita- mate has a lower average annual rainfall than tion is higher; snow falls more often and the steppe, rains occur more irregularly, the remains on the ground longer; and there is average annual temperature is higher, and a greater likelihood of summer rainfall. the diurnal range of temperature is much b. Low Latitude Steppe Climate. greater. The steppe zone includes the High Plateaux a. Mediterranean Climate. and bordering mountains, the coastal low- The coastal plains of Algeria, northern Mo- lands in Morocco south of approximately rocco, and northern Tunisia and the seaward 31° N., and in Tunisia south of 36° N., and SECRET 52 west-central Tunisia. The Atlas Mountains nial vegetation, although an ephemeral plant to the north and west partially exclude from growth appears for a short time after a rain. the Plateaux the influence of both the Medi- Precipitation averages less than 8 inches in terranean and the Atlantic, and the Saharan the northern portion of the desert, and in the Atlas range on the south modifies the influ- southern portion years may pass without ence of the desert. Typical vegetation of the rain. Life, other than a nomadic existence, Low Latitude Steppe is alfa grass in the north can be maintained only in the scattered oases and xerophytic shrubs in the extreme south. and along wadi beds in which the water table Average annual precipitation ranges from is near the surface. 16 inches in the north to 8 inches at the foot Nearly all of the desert region is included of the Saharan Atlas and in the southern within the area having an average annual coastal regions of Morocco and Tunisia. Along temperature of at least 79°; in much of the these coasts the rainfall regime is similar to area the average is 86°. Mean values are im- that in the Mediterranean climatic zone, with portant only in obtaining a general picture, winter maximum and June-to-September for while the days are extremely hot, the drought. Inland from the coastal regions, nights are nearly always cool. the regime changes rapidly to that of the In the Ahaggar, extreme temperatures OC- Plateaux, where the maximum rainfall is in cur both in the summer and in the short win- the spring. Thunderstorms occasionally OC- ter season, a minimum of 19° having been cur in summer, and some rain and snow fall recorded at Ft. Laperrine, at 4,429 feet eleva- during the winter. On the steppe both the tion. Precipitation is extremely unpredict- seasonal distribution and the total amount of able, both as to quantity and the season in precipitation fluctuate greatly from year to which it may occur. Snow falls quite often year. at elevations above 8,000 feet, but it never re- Temperatures also reflect the difference be- mains more than 24 hours. tween the coastal steppe regions and the 4. Land Use. steppe region on the Plateaux. On the coastal steppe, the mean temperatures from the cold- a. Coastal Lowlands and Terraced Uplands. est and warmest months and for the year The types of agriculture practiced in the are a little higher than in the Mediterranean coastal lowlands and the terraced uplands are region to the north, but the Mediterranean determined by the average amount of rain- climatic regime is recognizable. On the Pla- fall, its seasonal distribution, and its depend- teaux, temperatures reflect the continental ability. The regions that have a Mediter- location of the region. North winds sweep ranean climate are primarily croplands and across the Plateaux at below-freezing temper- secondarily grazing lands, whereas the regions atures during the winter months. Minimum that have a Steppe climate are primarily graz- temperatures are often below 32° F., and the ing lands and secondarily croplands. mean temperature for the coldest month is The coastal plains and highlands are the only 40°. During the summer there is less main regions of cereal production. Wheat is contrast between the coastal region and the most important in the coastal plains and ter- Plateaux. Mean temperatures for the warm- raced uplands of northern Tunisia, and barley est month vary between 79° and 83°. The is grown more extensively in the high plains diurnal range of temperature is greater dur- around Constantine and the northern section ing the summer than the winter and in the of the coastal lowland of Morocco. Oats are interior than on the coast. grown to some extent in the plains around Oran and along the lower Medjerda River. C. Low Latitude Desert Climate. Corn is grown around Constantine, Casa- The area south of the Saharan Atlas and blanca, Marrakech, and in the well-watered Anti-Atlas ranges and the southwestern por- districts of northern Tunisia, but the total tion of Tunisia have a Low Latitude Desert acreage is small. Climate. Xerophytic shrubs, sparsely scat- Garden crops are raised near the larger tered through the desert, are the only peren- cities, in the valleys of the principal wadis, 53 and especially in the plains south of Bizerte pine throughout the regions of lower rainfall and the Bon Peninsula. Beans, lentils, chick- in Algeria. Cork oak forests dominate the peas, potatoes, and tomatoes are the principal area eastward from Bougie in Algeria to the crops. vicinity of Bizerte in Tunisia. Cedar forests Olive culture is important in all the coastal are found in those areas of northeastern Mo- plains regions and in the terraced uplands rocco and eastern Algeria which receive the up to 2,000 feet. Tunisia has nearly 19 mil- highest annual rainfall. The higher slopes lion trees, over half the total in French North of the Tunisian Dorsal are covered with thuya Africa; Algeria has 9 million; and Morocco and Aleppo pine forests. An evergreen oak 7 million. Most of the olive oil is produced thicket covers the upper slopes of the Anti- in the plains area between Sousse and Sfax Atlas. In southwestern Morocco, both the in Tunisia; in the Sebou Basin around Fez coastal lowlands and the lower slopes of the and in the area surrounding Marrakech, in Anti-Atlas range support a steppe vegetation. Morocco; and in the eastern section of the c. The Plateaux and Adjacent Mountains. Department of Algiers and the western part The interior slopes of the Atlas Mountains of the Department of Constantine, in Algeria. in Morocco and the Tell Atlas in Algeria, the The principal wine-producing regions are High Plateaux, the Shott Region of Tunisia, the Sebou Basin and the central portion of and both slopes of the Saharan Atlas are cov- the coastal plain in Morocco, and the areas ered with a steppe vegetation, except for scat- around Oran and Algiers in Algeria and tered forests on the higher and better watered around Tunis in Tunisia. The citrus indus- slopes of the Saharan Atlas. The primary try is centered in the coastal lowlands and economic use of this region is for grazing. the valleys of the principal wadis of Algeria Alfa grass grows wild over about 15,700 square and northern Morocco. Almond trees are miles of the Plateaux. grown principally on the dry interior plain d. The Desert. around Marrakech. Tobacco is grown in the regions around Bône and Algiers. Vegetation in the Saharan Depression and the desert area of southwestern Tunisia is of The important livestock of French North two types: ephemeral flowers that spring up Africa are sheep, goats and cattle. The prin- immediately after a rain, mature, bloom, and cipal regions for raising sheep and goats in die within a few days; and xerophytic shrubs Tunisia are the plains around Sousse and which are able to exist in the desert only Sfax and the southern coastal region, and in because they are structurally adapted to con- Algeria the high plains behind Oran. The serve the small amount of water that is avail- cattle industry is concentrated in the Bizerte- able. Both types are sparsely distributed and Tunis region of Tunisia, the Department of are of no economic value. The few inhabit- Constantine in Algeria, and the northern ants in the region live in the oases that are coastal region of Morocco. scattered throughout the area. In the oases b. Seaward-facing Slopes of the Atlas date palms, some grains, and enough garden Ranges. vegetables to satisfy local needs are grown under irrigation. The lower parts of the seaward-facing slopes of the Tell Atlas in Algeria and Tunisia and of e. Ahaggar Massif. the High and Middle Atlas ranges in Morocco In the Ahaggar Massif and the surround- are cultivated, but the higher slopes bear var- ing plateaus three distinct vegetation types ious types of natural vegetation. Maquis veg- are present. Below 6,000 feet the vegetation etation extends from the upper limits of the is of a tropical desert type and is very sparsely cultivated zone to approximately 3,500 feet. distributed over the area. Between 6,000 and Above the maquis zone are forests of thuya 8,000 feet permanent vegetation of a low- (arborvitae) in southeastern Morocco and altitude Mediterranean type covers the slopes western Algeria, evergreen oak in northeast- of the mountains and the plateau regions. ern Morocco and central Algeria, and Aleppo Vegetation of high-altitude Mediterranean 54 ECR ET type is found in the region above 8,000 feet. around such settlements and in the better Sufficient water is available at the lower levels watered beds of the wadis. The raising of of the Massif for the maintenance of perma- camels, sheep, and goats is the principal occu- nent settlements, and gardens are cultivated pation of the people. ECR APPENDIX B COMMUNICATIONS Facilities for communication in French (8) Rabat-Salé has irregular traffic. North Africa compare most unfavorably with (9) Mehdia, west of Port Lyautey, on the those of most Western European countries. Atlantic coast, is a small port under construc- The coastal regions are adequately served by tion. rail and road networks, but few roads or rail- The merchant marine registered under the roads into the interior have been constructed, Sherifian flag consists of thirty ships, eight because of the difficulty of terrain and the of which were added during 1949. The total relative unimportance of inland desert wastes. gross tonnage of this fleet is approximately 35,000 metric tons with a total cargo capacity 1. Ports. of 50,000 metric tons. In 1948 the Sherifian a. Morocco. fleet moved five percent (or 400,000 metric (1) Casablanca is by far the most impor- tons) of the total movement in French Moroc- tant of the French Moroccan ports, and ranks can ports. fourth of all French ports. Over 80 percent b. Algeria. of all merchandise entering and leaving French Morocco passes through Casablanca; Algeria is amply supplied with good ports. this traffic in 1949 amounted to 5,750,000 A total of 9,000,000 metric tons of cargo was metric tons. Because of the increasing needs handled by all Algerian ports in 1948. of the port, local authorities have considered (1) Algiers port is one of the principal coal- the construction of an extensive "avant-port" ing and fueling stations in the Mediterranean, to increase the total sheltered harbor area and ranks second in importance of all French from 200 to 440 hectares, but these improve- ports for passenger traffic. 400,000 metric ments have not been effected because of lack tons of commodities are handled monthly. of funds. Good marine repair facilities are available. Completion of projected improvements should (2) Safi is a phosphate and fishing port. materially increase the port capacity. In 1948, 1,024,300 metric tons of cargo were handled. With the exception of Casablanca, (2) Oran is one of the more important ports Safi is outstripping all other ports in Morocco of French North Africa. The port can handle in rate of growth. about 350,000 metric tons of merchandise per month. Four steamship lines make Oran a (3) Port Lyautey, located 12 miles inland regular port of call. on the Sébou River, is a useful small port. (3) Mers-el-Kebir, 4 miles west of Oran Only small cargo boats or coasters can navi- has the best natural anchorage on the Al- gate the shallow channel of the river. gerian coast and is being developed into a new (4) Fedala, 17 miles north of Casablanca, is harbor and naval base. a peacetime oil discharge port. A sizable sar- (4) Bône is a small commercial port with dine fleet is based in the port. modest facilities. It is located near a rich (5) Agadir is a port for fishing craft and agricultural area. Cargo handling capacity miscellaneous traffic. It handles about 50,000 is 280,000 metric tons per month. The port tons annually, all effected by lighters. A port is also equipped for handling phosphates and improvement project is under study in Paris. iron ore. (6) Mazagan } receive small coasters and (5) Arzew, a small port with limited facili- (7) Mogador fishing craft. ties, is used principally as a training area and 55 56 seaplane base. Maximum cargo handling (5) Gabès is a small fishing port, although capacity is 30,000 metric tons monthly. certain agricultural products are exported. (6) Mostaganem port can handle 50,000 The Tunisian merchant marine is insignifi- metric tons of cargo monthly. Facilities are cant and is wholly engaged in coastwise ship- limited, but because of its location and the ping. rich hinterland the port will probably increase in importance. 2. Navigable Inland Waterways. (7) Bougie is a small commercial port with There are no navigable waterways in either limited facilities. The export of iron and zinc Algeria or Tunisia. The Sébou and Moulouya ores, phosphates, and agricultural products is rivers in Morocco, however, are navigable to increasing and the port is becoming more im- small boats and barges for 50 and 30 miles portant. inland, respectively. (8) Philippeville, with a capacity of 40,000 metric tons monthly, is the principal outlet 3. Roads. for agricultural products of the Department Of the three territories, Tunisia is best of Constantine. Port and rail facilities are equipped with constructed roads with about being improved. 0.25 miles of road per square mile. Compara- (9) Béni-Saf is a privately owned port used ble figures for Algeria and Morocco are 0.035 principally for the export of iron ore. and 0.025. These figures compare most un- (10) The port of Nemours in western Al- favorably with those of most Western Euro- geria is being extended and modernized with pean countries. Actual mileage is as follows: financial help from French Morocco. Second- A few Algerian ships, registered as a part Main ary Minor Total of the French merchant marine, are engaged Tunisia 3, 730 8, 700 3, 730 16, 160 in coastwise shipping. Morocco 3,500 2,500 12,500 18,500 Algeria 4,982 25,500 ? 30, 482+ c. Tunisia. Total 12, 212 36,700 16, 230- (1) Port facilities at the twin ports of Tunis-La Goulette are being modernized, but The coastal and mountain regions are well several years will probably elapse before recon- served by engineered roads which become struction is completed owing to the shortage fewer and of poorer quality inland until in of building materials and skilled labor. Traf- the desert regions few are better than natural fic in 1947 totalled 1,288,143 metric tons for tracks. The roads are the main lines of trans- both ports. portation and are adequate for the present (2) Sfax is one of the more important ports needs of the population. in eastern Tunisia and handles the greatest In Tunisia the roads radiate from the four tonnage of any Tunisian port. It serves both coastal cities of Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, and as an outlet for phosphates, and as an impor- Gabès and from the town of Medenine. These tant fishing and sponge center. Reconstruc- five centers are linked by a coastal road that tion necessitated by the considerable wartime passes from Morocco through Algeria and damage has not been completed. Tunisia into Libya. The network in the north (3) Bizerte is the less important of the two is fairly dense with numerous connecting French naval ports in North Africa. War roads between the radial routes, but in the damage has been cleaned up, but planned south the network is open. Extending into expansion cannot be carried out because of the Algeria are three good roads, roughly parallel, lack of funds. The base is equipped with re- from Tunis. The roads southwest of Gabès pair facilities. and Medenine are principally ancient caravan (4) Sousse is a small commercial port with routes, slightly improved but in many places a capacity of 25,000 metric tons monthly. The obstructed to motor traffic by drifting sands. principal exports are phosphates, salt, olive The two principal routes in Algeria are the oil, grain, and esparto grass. international highways connecting Morocco 57 and Tunisia through Algeria. One closely The Moroccan system consists of two main follows the coastline, and the other parallels lines. The main east-west line runs eastward it 50 miles inland. Both are two-lane thor- from Casablanca and joins the Tangier-Fez oughfares except the section from Constantine line at Petitjean. It continues eastward from to the Tunisian border where the road is Fez through Oujda into Algeria. From Oujda scarcely wide enough for double traffic. Nu- a branch line, utilized principally for ore ship- merous roads connect these east-west high- ments, extends 285 miles south to the iron ways. Hard-surfaced roads to the south mines of Kenadsa (Algeria). The main north- branch off at Mascara, Algiers, and Constan- south lines extend from the Spanish Moroccan tine, and after crossing the high plateaus and border to Petitjean and from Casablanca to penetrating the Sahara Atlas mountains, be- Marrakech. Branch lines connect with the come trans-Saharan motor routes to French coastal city of Safi and the inland town of West Africa. Oued Zem. The main line from Marrakech Moroccan motor roads link the ports with through Casablanca and Petitjean to Fez and the principal cities of the interior and with the branch line to Oued Zem are electrified. Algeria. The main roads are 26 feet wide, of The Casablanca to Benguerir section of the which the paved surface is 13 feet. The prin- Casablanca-Marrakech line has a capacity of cipal routes are: 12 trains daily, each of 300-ton capacity. Tangier-Rabat-Casablanca-Marrakech (385 Other sections of the system have only half miles) this capacity. Casablanca - Mazagan - Marrakech (182 The Algerian railways are localized along miles) the Mediterranean. Most of the lines are Port Lyautey-Fez-Taza-Oujda (319 miles) single track with capacities ranging from six Mazagan-Mogador-Agadir (271 miles) trains each way daily on the narrow gauge lines to twelve a day on the standard gauge 4. Railroads. Casablanca-Tunis line. The interior is pene- The railways of French North Africa consist trated by four lines that connect with the of separate but interconnected lines operating principal east-west lines. The longest of these on three main track gauges over a total route extends from Oran to Abadla 478 miles south- length of 5,468 miles. All, except 139 miles west. The three interior lines connect Djelfa of normal gauge and 10 miles of meter gauge, to the main line at Blida, Touggourt to the are single track. In Morocco about 42 per- main line at El Guero, and Tebessa to both cent and in Algeria about 4 percent of the Ouled-Rahmoun and Souk-Ahras on the main total route length is electrified. There are line. no electrified lines in Tunisia other than The Tunisian standard gauge system is re- about 29 miles worked as a tramway in and stricted to northern Tunisia. The main line near the city of Tunis. (120 miles) has branches from Djedeida to Bizerte (45 miles), from Mateur to Tabarka ROUTE LENGTH (By Gauges and Traction) (64 miles), and from Mateur to Mastouta (50 miles). The narrow gauge system is composed MOROCCO ALGERIA TUNISIA of three east-west lines branching off a north- Miles Miles Miles south coastal line extending from Tunis 1.435 meter (4'81/2") through Sousse and Sfax to Gabès (261 miles). Steam 670 1,371 317 The northernmost of the east-west lines runs Electric 477 127 from Tunis to Algeria (162 miles) and con- 1.055 meter (3'51/2") Steam 875 nects with other lines of the system. The 1 meter (3'35/8") central line extends west from Sousse for 179 Steam 484 1, 056 miles and is connected to the southernmost 0.60 meter (1'115/8") line by a 29-mile branch line. The southern- Steam 91 most line extends from Graiba, on the coast to Total 1, 147 2,948 1, 373 the inland town of Tozeur (146 miles). 58 SECRET The three largest undertakings are the tercontinentaux (TAI) and Aigle Azur, supple- state-controlled national systems of the Com- ment the activities of Air France in linking pagnie des Chemins de Fer du Maroc (CFM), the mother country with the French North the Chemins de Fer Algériens (CFA), and the African territories. In addition to the serv- Compagnie Fermière des Chemins de Fer ices flown from Paris, Air France maintains Tunisiens (CFT) which together operate 88 air services in North Africa conducted from its percent of the total route mileage of French base in Algiers. North Africa. Local airline companies have been estab- The present over-all system is adequate for lished in each of the three areas: several small the normal needs of the region. The equip- carriers in Algeria, two in French Morocco, ment, however, has been overtaxed for years and one in Tunisia. The leading Algerian and needs substantial repairs and modern re- carrier, Air Algérie, organized in 1947, links placement. The main source of revenue is Algeria with Tunisia, in addition to conduct- traffic in minerals and agricultural products. ing services to France and Western Europe. Current plans call for: (a) in Morocco, the The organization has a fleet of 11 DC-3's. Its extension of coalfield and mineral lines, the main depot shop is located in Algiers. A sta- extension of main-line electrification eastward tistical comparison of this company's opera- to Taza, and the replacement of steam by tions gives some indication of the growing im- diesel electric traction on the Safi and Abadla portance of air transportation in this area. lines; and (b) in eastern Algeria the comple- tion of the conversion to standard gauge and Oct 47- Oct 48- electrification of the Oued Keberit-Kouif line. Sept 48 Sept 49 Number of hours flown 10, 184 14, 710 The long-projected trans-Saharan railway Number of passengers carried 14,720 35, 692 which was to link the North African systems to Freight hauled (in metric tons) 3,930 4, 819 Sénégal and the Niger is in abeyance. Also plans for the doubling of the Oran-Algiers The two French Moroccan carriers are Air main line and the extension of the Oran-Ain Atlas and Air Maroc (the former a subsidiary Temouchant branch to rejoin the main line at Marnia are shelved. of the French nationalized airline Air France). Both carriers fly services to Spain and France, 5. Airlines. Air Atlas flying additional local and regional Civil aviation in French North Africa func- services, including a service to Algiers. Air tions under control of the French Secretariat Atlas has six DC-3 aircraft; Air Maroc, six General for Civil and Commercial Aviation in DC-3's and two C-46's. During 1949 these Paris. Control is exercised through a District companies carried a total of 23,102 passengers, Director in the Overseas Department of Al- 1,253 tons of air freight, and 95 tons of mail. geria, and a Regional Director in each of the The Tunisian carrier, Tunis Air, is also a protectorates of French Morocco and Tunisia. subsidiary of Air France. This company con- Foreign scheduled air services into the area ducts scheduled passenger services to Nice and are confined to a long-range service conducted Rome, as well as a regional service to Algiers, by Trans World Airline (US), which stops at all connecting with Air France schedules. Its Algiers and Tunis on a trunkline air route to fleet is composed of 4 DC-3's. India, and a few regional services. Aero Por- tuguese of Portugal and Iberia of Spain fly 6. Other Communications Facilities. into neighboring French Morocco, while Linee Telephone and telegraph facilities operate Aeree Italiane (LAI) of Italy and Air Malta fly under government monopoly and in general into nearby Tunisia. French scheduled air follow the density pattern of population. Fa- services into French North Africa are con- cilities are rudimentary in certain aspects, but ducted primarily by Air France, which links they have been greatly improved since World Paris with Algeria, French Morocco, and Tu- War II. Modernization and expansion have nisia. A number of French private air carriers, been due largely to the recognized strategic notably Compagnie de Transports Aériens In- value of North African ports and air bases. SECRET 59 Aside from division of administrative con- be made up of US Army Signal Corps types trol, the telecommunication systems in of World War II vintage. French Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia could a. French Morocco. operate as one system. Equipment and prac- The Moroccan Government owns and oper- tices are mainly French. ates the country's domestic telecommunica- The underground cable across French North tions facilities, through the PTT. The equip- Africa originates in Casablanca. French ment, operating techniques, and the essential Morocco, and extends via Oran, Algeria, to its training of native technicians are basically terminal point in Tunis. Its total length is French, although the introduction of Ameri- about 1,428 miles. The decision to extend a can equipment and operating methods during cable net across this area was made by the World War II has had considerable influence Vichy Government in 1941. In 1943 actual on the country. Morocco can produce only a construction began at various points, utilizing negligible percentage of the equipment it sections which had been laid between certain needs for telecommunications, and thus must large urban centers prior to 1941. Adminis- continue to rely almost entirely on France or tration of the system is handled by a Board the US to meet its needs. The country has of Directors composed of representatives from a domestic wire net that provides fair to good the three Post Telegraph and Telephones service. The PTT has its headquarters in (PTT) concerned. When this cable goes into Rabat. operation, probably at the end of 1950, existing The telephone system provides the widest facilities will be almost doubled and service coverage, and is thus the most important will be comparable to any modern Western means of communication. Morocco has 45,- cable system. 153 telephone subscribers; principal ex- International and domestic cable service to changes are located in Rabat-Salé, Casa- France is adequate for present requirements; blanca, Marrakech, Fez and Meknes. The operations are excellent and efficient despite Moroccan Government depends heavily on this old equipment. The system is well integrated network and, to a lesser degree, on the tele- with the landline network of North Africa, and graph system for administration of the coun- the facilities could probably accommodate a try, whereas the Army depends largely on limited additional load with present equip- radio. Telegraph lines connect most of the ment. population centers, and in many places, tele- Radio plays three primary roles in this area graph and telephone wires are carried on the today: i.e., international communication, same poles. An extensive telegraph net ex- broadcasting, and military. Of these three ists for the operation of the railway system. roles, international communication has pro- The telegraph circuits follow along the rail- gressed rapidly since the end of World War II. way and are operated on a closed circuit sys- French stations at Rabat and Algiers handle tem. increasing traffic loads, but their facilities The French Army operates an extensive net- have not changed materially since the war work of radio stations, which provide the only years. means of communication in the sparsely popu- Radio broadcasting has also made great lated regions of southern and southeastern strides during the five years but is the subject Morocco. Although they are used primarily of more official enthusiasm than actual effec- for military purposes, the stations also handle tiveness. Radio receiver density is very low, official and even public traffic. SO that only about 10-15 percent of the popu- b. Algeria. lation can be considered to be reached by this The PTT system in Algeria is owned and medium. operated by the government. The wire net is French military forces have widely scattered very extensive and provides service for most of radio installations and operate numerous net- the towns and villages in the country. Tele- works linking France with its overseas col- phone service is more widely used than tele- onies. Most of their equipment is believed to graph and is the most dependable means of SECRET 60 communication; there are 75,670 telephone facilities for the French PTT, which owns the subscribers. The telephone service is more systems. Although the lines were in a total than adequate for the country's needs. Main state of disrepair following World War II, they telephone centers are located at Algiers, Oran, have since been repaired and modernized so and Constantine. that they are now above their prewar The telegraph system is not widely used in efficiency. Algeria. Most of the circuits are carried on Telephone subscribers number 15,600. telephone wire. There are six circuits to Tunisia and six to Morocco. There are 207 PTT telegraph stations and 81 railroad telegraph stations located through- c. Tunisia. out Tunisia. Ninety percent of all telegraphic Tunisia has an extensive network of tele- messages in 1948 were relayed to and from phone and telegraph circuits with many inter- the capital city of Tunis. Of these, some 29 connecting lines. The system is antiquated, percent were local, 37 percent international except for the city of Tunis. The Tunisian (mainly to France), and the remaining 34 per- Government operates all telecommunication cent to other North African stations. ECRET SECRET APPENDIX C POPULATION The population of French North Africa, Berber is the dominant native racial stock which had remained relatively static before of the area. Since the Arab conquerors first the French conquests, has grown rapidly since overran the area in the seventh century A. D., the introduction of minimum European there has been a considerable intermixture standards of health and sanitation. Average between Berber and Arab. The Arab has im- life expectancy is now about 35 years. The posed his religion, language, dress, and many net population growth is 400,000 (or about 2 of his customs on a large part of the Berber percent) annually. At this rate of growth the community. The Berbers, however, have pre- population will soon expand beyond food pro- served some distinct racial characteristics; a duction capabilities. The following table negroid strain is evident in some sections. gives some indication of the population distri- Generally speaking, the Berbers populate the bution. Figures are based on calculated esti- rural districts and the interior regions, while mates, rather than on actual census records, most of the Arabs congregate in the urban because population tabulations in this semi- and coastal areas. About one-fourth of the primitive area are not accurate. Berbers are nomads, and an equal or greater Most of the population is concentrated number are semi-nomadic. Arabic is the pre- along the Mediterranean and Atlantic littorals dominant language among the urban natives, and the fertile river basins and interior oases. a great many of whom also understand The standard of living is low, similar to that French. In the isolated rural areas, various of other countries on the southern shores of Berber dialects predominate. Except for the the Mediterranean. Among the vast majority upper-class minority engaged in the profes- of the native population the mode of life has sions, the natives are considered unskilled by altered little in centuries. Important chief- western standards. tains, senior functionaries, and wealthy trad- The basis of native society is the authority ers, on the other hand, enjoy a way of life now of the father over his family and dependents. rare in Europe. Polygamy is still common, but because of the The European minority is predominantly poverty of the masses only about one family French, but also includes large numbers of in six in polygamous. Many tribal character- Italians, Spanish, Greeks, and Maltese. istics remain, although the tribe today tends French is the predominant and official lan- to be a territorial division. The markets are guage. The Europeans live in the large towns the most important centers of rural life. Na- and are usually engaged in government, com- tive quarters (medinas) differ markedly from merce, the professions, or skilled trades. the European quarters; as in medieval English TOTAL FNA MOROCCO ALGERIA TUNISIA 1931 14,250,000 1936 16,100,000 1948 20,510,000 8,613,000 8,666,000 3,231,000 Density per square mile 19 53 10. 2 16. 9 Europeans and Jews 1,874,600 525,000 1,040,000 309,600 Natives 18,635,400 8,088,000 7,626,000 2,921,400 Gainfully employed 2,200,000 1,600,000 680, 000 (1950) (1950) (1936) SECRET 61 62 SECRET towns, the members of one trade (guild) live Berbers, including fetishes such as the hanging together and have their shops in one particu- of bits of rag on sacred trees, a votive offering lar district. of the native women to ward off sterility. Fewer than 10 percent of the native popula- Habous (religious endowed property) lands tion are literate. Although the French and buildings are scattered throughout the authorities claim to be engaging in a cam- area, the income supporting religious and paign against illiteracy, school facilities are so charitable works and such institutions as inadequate that fewer than one-fifth of the schools and hospitals. children can be enrolled in school. The Moslem brotherhoods (confréries), or religious organizations, also play an impor- The Moslem religion permeates almost every tant role in native life. Membership is pre- aspect of life and the Koran regulates rela- dominantly rural and Berber, and adherents tionships and actions. Mosques abound in are scattered widely throughout the area. both urban and rural regions. Prayers are Zaouias (headquarters) are located in all of said five times daily; and the month's fast of the principal coastal and interior cities where Ramadan is observed annually by the natives. a particular group is dominant, and in villages Comparatively few North African Moslems one or another of the groups usually plays an make the pilgrimage to Mecca, however. important role in communal affairs. The There are local holy men, but no clergy in principal differences between the various the European sense. The Moslem Sunni brotherhoods are the initiatory ceremonies, (comparable to moderate Christian Protes- prayers, and religious rites. These organiza- tants) sect prevails, although a minority ad- tions lack efficient organization, and attach- heres to the Shiah (comparable to extreme ment to the order in many instances seems to Christian Catholics) sect. Synagogues and be limited to a feeling of reverence for the Christian churches are located in the principal Sherif (hereditary leader). Ties to the urban areas. The Roman Catholic is the mother zaouia generally appear too loose to largest of the Christian communities. organize an effective group. The Arabic word The Arabs as a whole are fanatical and for the orders is synonymous with the word deeply superstitious. On the other hand, the "way," indicating that the brotherhoods are Berbers are democratic by nature and, al- thought of as a way of life and not as a politi- though occasionally liable to fanaticism, rare- cal or religious movement with determined ly moved by religious enthusiasm. Many objectives. The brotherhoods are a some- religious customs common in the country be- what amorphous but substantial force on the fore the arrival of Islam survive among the side of tradition and conservatism. APPENDIX D BIOGRAPHIES ABBAS, FERHAT 1899- pected to play a major role in the government Before World War II Ferhat Abbas was ac- of an independent Morocco. tive in the pro-French assimilationist Fédéra- BOUMENDJEL, AHMED BEN MOHAMMED tion des Elus Musulmans. After the defeat 1908- of France and during the Vichy regime in Al- Probable successor to Ferhat Abbas as leader geria he became more pro-nationalist in senti- ment, and in February 1943 was among the of the UDMA (nationalist) party of which he Algerian Arab leaders who addressed a mani- has been a member since 1945, Boumendjel is an Algerian who has accepted French citizen- festo to the French authorities demanding reforms in the French administration. In ship and a French wife. He studied law in 1944 he founded the strongly pro-nationalist Paris and at the University of Algiers and is Amis du Manifeste, the general aim of which regarded as much more intelligent and subtle than Abbas. His influence in the UDMA is was the eventual establishment of Algerian toward moderation. He is a Moslem and at autonomy within the framework of the French Union. The Amis was dissolved by govern- present is a member of the Assembly of the mental decree in May 1945 and Abbas subse- French Union, having been elected to that post quently founded the Union Démocratique du by the Algerian Assembly in 1948. Manifeste Algérien (UDMA) and was elected BOURGHIBA, HABIB 1904- on this ticket to the Constituent Assembly in Although friendly to France and French cul- June 1946. He recently resigned from mem- ture, Bourghiba is the outstanding leader of bership in the Assembly of the French Union. Arab nationalism and opponent of French pol- Although he has been reported to have close icy in Tunisia. Politically astute, he has re- relations with the Algerian Communist Party jected the repeated efforts of the French to and to have received subsidies from the Com- win him over. In 1933 he founded the Neo- munists, he has recently been extremely criti- Destour Party, of which he is president. Re- cal of Communist activities in Algeria. garded as the inspiration for the hard core of BALAFREJ, AHMED 1912- nationalism in Tunisia, he nevertheless has a definite moderating influence and is attempt- Balafrej is the principal policy-maker and ing to negotiate with France for concessions strategist of the Istiqlal (Independence) leading to independence. Party, which he helped to form in 1944, and is believed to have the confidence of the Sultan. Bourghiba represented Tunisia on the Com- He envisages the abrogation of the Treaty of mittee for the Liberation of North Africa from Fez (1912) and its replacement by a French- its inception in Cairo in 1948 until late 1949 Moroccan Treaty under which an independent when he returned to Tunisia to reassume the Morocco would rely on French guidance and active leadership of the Neo-Destour Party. advice. His efforts to date have had no notable success. Well educated and intelligent, he is the most Bourghiba is a Moslem and a graduate of westernized of the Istiqlal leaders and is be- the Ecole Libre des Sciences Politiques in Paris. lieved to be largely responsible for the party's During the war he refused to collaborate with moderate approach to the Moroccan problem. the Axis. He is an anti-Communist but might He is not unfriendly toward the United States, be persuaded to collaborate with the Commu- although he believes the US is indifferent to nists if hope of other help were lost and he Moroccan nationalist aims. He could be ex- had become convinced that the Communist SECRET 63 64 collaboration furnished the only possibility of come. He is thought to be friendly toward gaining independence. the US. On the whole, Farhat's views are BOURQUIA, ABDESLAM circa 1920- typical of conservative Tunisian Arabs who were educated in France. A French Moroccan journalist, Bourquia is a die-hard Communist. Fairly intelligent and FASSI, SI ALLAL EL 1910- well educated, he is a useful propagandist for Second only to Balafrej in the leadership of the Moroccan Communist Party. In 1948 he the Istiqlal Party, Fassi has been associated was said to be completely under the control with the Moroccan nationalist movement since of the French members of the Secretariat of its inception. Exiled to French Equatorial the Moroccan Communist Party who found Africa in 1937 by the French because of his him useful in proselyting among the natives. nationalist activities, he was not permitted to CABALLERO, PAUL return until 1946. He served in Cairo as the Very little is known of this Secretary Gen- Istiqlal representative on the Committee for eral of the Algerian Communist Party. He the Liberation of North Africa from January to December 1948. Fassi now resides in the may be one of the large group of Spanish Loy- alists who settled in Oran after fleeing from International Zone of Tangier because he fears curtailment of his movements should he re- Spain during the Civil War. He and other prominent members of the Politburo of the turn to the French Zone. A religious zealot Algerian Communist Party are alleged to re- and fiery orator, he has given indications of ceive their directives at secret meetings with being out of sympathy with the conservative Leon Feix, permanent representative of the policies of Balafrej. So long as he remains in French Communist Party in Algeria. Tangier, however, he probably will have little chance of success in a program of gathering ENNAFAA, MOHAMMED BEN BRAHIM BEN dissident party members about himself. SAID 1920- HACHED, FARHAT Ennafaa is one of the principal members of the Central Committee of the Tunisian Com- Leader of the nationalist-sponsored Union munist Party. He is reported to have the dif- Générale des Travailleurs Tunisiens (UGTT), ficult assignment of endeavoring to obtain a Hached is reputed to have such intelligence rapprochement with the Neo and Old Destour and ability that he is head and shoulders (nationalist) Parties in order to achieve a above other French and Tunisian labor lead- "National Front" of all Moslem and Commu- ers. He is energetic, and has a large fol- nist elements. His chief labors are said to be lowing. In his writings, he uses slogans in- addressing Party cells and city and regional stead of facts. He has had years of intensive conferences and writing articles for the Com- training under French labor leadership and munist Party organ, L'Avenir de la Tunisie. has been engaged for several years in organ- He closely follows the Cominform line in at- izing Tunisian labor. Held responsible for tacking the US, the Marshall Plan and the the bloodshed during strikes and riots at Sfax Atlantic Pact. Although he is considered to in August 1947, he waged a vigorous and suc- be well educated for a Tunisian Moslem born cessful campaign to have strikers reinstated in humble circumstances, Ennafaa is not be- and his union representation restored to the lieved to be as able and forceful as Ali Djerad, labor commission. Efforts by the Commu- whom he replaced in May 1948 as the Party's nist-backed USTT to affiliate the UGTT with apologist among the Moslems. their organization failed, although the unions have collaborated in limited local objectives FARHAT, SALAH 1890- from time to time. It is generally thought This Tunisian lawyer has been Secretary that Hached has no love for the Communists General of the Old Destour Party since its and that he will work with the USTT only foundation in 1933. Moderate on most issues, as long as something can be gained locally he apparently believes that Tunisian inde- by intermittent and joint action. Although pendence will not be realized for some time to Hached accepted affiliation for the UGTT with 65 the Communist-dominated WFTU, he prob- the French cabinet had been purged of Com- ably would be disposed to collaborate with munists and had decided to impose a more any international labor organization with a stringent administration upon Morocco. Juin world-wide audience. brought to this task the conservatism of a career soldier, substantial administrative ca- HASSAN V, SIDI MOHAMMED BEN YOUS- pacity, powerful anti-Communist convictions, SEF BEN EL Sultan of Morocco, 1912- and a devout adherence to the traditional The present Sultan of Morocco-the nomi- rights and privileges of Frenchmen at home nal ruler of three areas, French Morocco, and abroad. These characteristics account Spanish Morocco, and the International Zone for the fact that Juin has always had the of Tangier-was elected to this position at complete confidence of General de Gaulle Fez on 18 November 1927 by an assembly of despite the fact that he commanded the Vizirs and Elders of the Mosques. His elec- French Army of the Vichy Government. They tion is said to have been engineered by the also explain the somewhat strained relation- French because he presumably could be ship which exists between the General and molded and controlled more easily than his the Sultan of Morocco. older and more intelligent brothers. In re- From the French point of view, Juin's civil- cent years, however, he has asserted his inde- ian administration has been successful in that pendence of French authority. He is reported he has reestablished French prestige and to visualize himself as the leader of the Arab maintained internal security. In recent world in northwest Africa, and in Tangier in months, his military duties have become more 1947 he made a ringing defense of the Arab important with his appointment as chief of League. His relations with General Juin are the Southern European-Western Mediterra- strained. The Sultan has felt that Juin over- nean military region under the Atlantic Pact. steps his authority. He is the virtual, al- though not nominal, head of the Istiqlal KAAK, MUSTAPHA 1893- Party, the principal nationalist organization Kaak is the son of a Tunisian Government in French Morocco, and is in close contact official and from 1911-17 served in the Section with the party leaders. Because he is aware d'Etat of the Tunisian Government while of the sparsity of capable personnel among working for a law degree. He was a member Moroccans and because he realizes a nation- of the Grand Council of Tunisia from 1928 to alist uprising would be futile and injurious 1934, when he was believed to be a strong to his position, he advocates moderation for sympathizer, if not a member, of the Old the national movement. Genuinely con- Destour Party. With Old and Neo-Destour cerned with the welfare of his people, he is Party members he signed a petition in 1944 interested in the betterment of education and asking for Tunisian autonomy. He was ap- living conditions. pointed Prime Minister of the Tunisian Gov- ernment in July 1947 at the height of his JUIN, General ALPHONSE-PIERRE 1888- popularity with the nationalists. However, The present Resident General for France the Neo-Destourians now consider him a tool in Morocco and Commander in Chief of all of the French and a traitor and the Bey has French armed forces in North Africa began his on several occasions publicly shown his dislike colonial career by being born at Bône, Algeria, for the Prime Minister. He is believed to be in 1888. honest and capable, but ineffective in dealing The General, who is the top-ranking mili- with French authorities in the manner ex- tary figure of France, graduated from St. Cyr pected by the nationalists. In fact he is re- and joined the First Regiment of Algerian sponsible to the Resident General and not to Tirailleurs in 1911. His subsequent career the Bey. He has remained in office primarily was spent generally in Europe and North because it has been impossible to find a Prime Africa. Minister who could be equally acceptable to Juin's appointment to the civilian post he French authorities, nationalists, and the now occupies took place in May 1947 when Bey. 66 LAMINE PASHA BEY, MOHAMMED Bey of annual congress in April 1949. In the ab- Tunis 1881- sence of Ali Yata, he is the actual leader for Lamine was appointed Bey of Tunis by Gen- Communist activities in the area. eral Giraud in May 1943 to succeed Mo- MESSALI HADJ circa 1903- hammed el-Moncef Bey, who was deposed by the French for his pro-German activities. Most vocal of the extreme Algerian nation- The manner of his appointment marked him alists, Messali studied at the University of as a tool of the French, and until the death Paris and resided in that city from 1923 to of Moncef in 1948, Lamine was anathema to 1937. In the latter year, he helped found the Tunisian nationalists. Since that time, the nationalistic Parti Populaire Algérien and Lamine has been recognized as the legitimate was imprisoned for two years. In 1941 Vichy Bey, his prestige has been greatly increased, condemned him to 16 years at hard labor. and the nationalists have given him their He was released but immediately placed in support. He is believed to be somewhat un- "forced residence" by General Giraud the fol- der the influence of his son, Prince Chadly, lowing year. A strong anti-Communist, he who is a close friend of Neo-Destour leader, also opposes the inclusion of Algeria in the Salah ben Youssef. Lamine has recently Atlantic Pact. Although he opposes taking shown some reluctance to go along with the sides in the East-West conflict, in the event French, and has opposed various decrees pro- of war he would probably try to trade Algerian posed by the Resident General. Moslem assistance for support of Algerian in- dependence. Messali regards Ferhat Abbas, LYAUTEY, Marshal LOUIS HUBERT GON- the Algerian UDMA leader, as an upstart. ZALVE 1854-1934 Although a professional soldier, Lyautey's NAEGELEN, MARCEL EDMOND 1892- reputation rests upon his creative genius as a Naegelen has been increasingly prominent colonial administrator and defender of French in the French Socialist Party since 1934, and tradition and interests. In April 1912 he was following World War II he emerged as one of appointed High Commissioner and Resident the leaders of the Party. He also has been a General in Morocco to quell disturbances at close friend and admirer of Léon Blum. Nae- Fez and to consolidate the recently established gelen succeeded Yves Chataigneau as Gov- protectorate. His success is indicated by the ernor General of Algeria in February 1948. fact that during World War I, although the His tenure of office has been renewed each six Moroccan interior was in effect demilitarized months since August 1948. Upon his arrival in order to free troops for service in Europe, in Algiers the Administration underwent a Lyautey not only maintained order but en- marked change from the complaisance of his larged the area of French control. After predecessor. He returned to a firm hand in World War I, he conquered the Atlas region, dealing with both nationalist aspirations and established a defensive barrier to the north the Communists. He has travelled exten- of Ouergha, and directed the final counter- sively in Algeria to revive French prestige and attack against Abd-el-Krim. Except for a to strengthen the psychological ties binding brief period (December 1917 to March 1918) Algeria to France. Naegelen is alert, intelli- when he served as French War Minister, gent, and personally ambitious. Lyautey's service in Morocco was continuous NISARD, MAURICE 1914- until 1925. He was made a Marshal of France This young Tunisian-Jewish lawyer is said in 1921 as a reward for his achievements in to be the ablest of the Tunisian Communist North Africa. officials. He is one of the principal Party MAZELLA, MICHEL, 1907- Secretaries, a member of the Party's Polit- buro and Central Committee, and the chief A French Moroccan journalist and former editorial writer for the Party organ, L'Avenir teacher, Mazella was appointed Treasurer of de la Tunisie. He is quick and intelligent, the Moroccan Communist Party at its second and is proficient in three languages-Arabic, ECRET 67 Italian, and French. Described as agreeable He is reported to be honest, industrious, but and well-mannered socially, Nisard has the somewhat lacking in political sagacity. reputation of being an able lawyer. He is unquestionably the most competent of the SADAOUI, HASSEN, 1899- local Communist leaders and the "spark plug" A militant member of the Tunisian Commu- of the Politburo and the Central Committee. nist Party, Sadaoui was "elected" President His energy and keen mind constitute an im- of the Union des Syndicats des Travailleurs portant element in the local Communist strat- de Tunisie (USTT) to provide the union with egy and activity. His attitude toward the US a Moslem president. He is a quiet but indus- is one of violent hostility and his editorials trious labor leader of importance in Tunisia's consistently follow the Cominform line in at- labor movement, although he is considerably tacking American "imperialism." less active politically than Georges Poropane, PERILLIER, MARCELLIN MARIE LOUIS the USTT's Secretary General. 1900- WAZZANI (OUAZZANI), MOHAMMED BEN In June 1950 Perillier was selected to re- HASSAN 1910- place Socialist Jean Mons as Resident General Wazzani has long collaborated with other of Tunisia. A career civil servant of Rightist nationalist elements in demanding reforms sympathies, Perillier has had considerable ex- from the French. Released in 1946 after ten perience in North African affairs. He is in- years' exile, he disagreed with the ideas of the telligent, capable, extremely ambitious, and Istiqlal leaders and established a new group an astute politician. He is said to owe his called the Shoura (Democratic) Party, but he appointment in Tunisia not only to his ad- has not succeeded in building up a large fol- ministrative ability but to his friendship and lowing. He is reported to have close connec- close association with French Foreign Min- tions with the French Residency, and is con- ister Robert Schuman. sidered by the more active nationalists to be Although he is still in the process of be- an agent of the French Administration. coming acquainted with his new duties, Peril- There were indications in 1949 that he was lier apparently intends to rule Tunisia firmly mildly pro-Communist. and the reform program which he will im- plement will be introduced cautiously, with- YATA, ALI 1920- out relinquishing France's prerogatives in the Ali Yata, Secretary of the Moroccan Com- area. munist Party, disappeared in July 1948 when He is reported to be favorably disposed to- his arrest was ordered by the Protectorate au- ward Great Britain and the US. thorities in connection with the illegal distri- POROPANE, GEORGES 1902- bution of Communist propaganda through the mails. Although his whereabouts are not As Secretary General of the Union des Syn- definitely known, he probably is in close touch dicats des Travailleurs de Tunisie (USTT), with events in Morocco and directs the Party Poropane is the effective leader of this Com- activities from his underground headquarters. munist-controlled and WFTU-recognized Tu- nisian labor union. Poropane is a French- YOUSSEF, SALAH BEN 1908- Jewish skilled worker at the French naval ar- This Paris-trained Tunisian lawyer, who has senal at Sidi Abdallah (Ferryville). He spent six years in French prisons because of gained his experience as a union organizer with the Tunisian section of the French CGT his nationalistic convictions, is Secretary Gen- until the schism in October 1946. As a mem- eral of the Neo-Destour Party. He is regarded ber of the Central Committee of the Tunisian as fiery by temperament and politically some- Communist Party, Poropane is the apologist what immature. It is reported that he and for Communist labor doctrines and writes the his colleagues still hold the US high in esteem principal articles for the USTT in the Com- and that at heart he is less anti-French than munist Party organ, L'Avenir de la Tunisie. his speeches suggest. It is believed that ben SECRET 68 SECRET Youssef will not urge his followers to violence cause the French refused to accept an all- until all peaceful means toward Tunisian inde- Destour government. Although formerly a pendence have been exhausted. It is also said close associate of Bourghiba, during the lat- that he has considered joining forces with the ter's absence in Cairo ben Youssef established local Communists as a means of furthering his political position so effectively that his Tunisian nationalism. In July 1947, he de- closest associates were disgruntled at Bour- clined a post in the new Tunisian cabinet be- ghiba's resumption of leadership. APPENDIX E CHRONOLOGY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS B. C. 525 Introduction of the camel into North Africa by the Persian conquest. A. D. 647 First of the three Arab invasions of North Africa. 682 Conversion of the Berbers to Islam. 732 Origin of Zeitouna University, Tunis, oldest of the three celebrated Arab universities in North Africa. (The other two are Karaouiyine in Fez and El Azhar in Cairo.) 1358 Treaty with Pisa granting capitulations in Morocco; the first instance of extraterritorial jurisdiction in North Africa. 1577 Agreement establishing a French consul in Tunis. 1603 Capitulations in Morocco granted to France by treaty. 1665 Agreement guaranteeing pre-eminence of the French consul in Tunis. 1705 Inception of the Regency of Tunis under the ruling Husseinite dynasty following the non-recognition of the Sultan of Constantinople by the Bey of Tunis, Hussein ben Ali. 28 May 1767 Treaty between Morocco and France extending rights of protection not only to foreigners but also, for the first time, to natives in their employ. 1787 Extraterritorial rights in Morocco granted to the US by a most-favored- nation treaty. 1814-1815 Congress of Vienna, marking the disintegration of the First French Empire. 1827 Affront tendered the French consul by the Dey of Algiers. 5 July 1830 Capture of Algiers, followed by the conquest and occupation of Algeria by the French. 16 September 1836 Re-negotiation of the terms of the US-Moroccan treaty of 1787. This treaty is the basis of the special US privileged position throughout Morocco. 9 December 1856 Treaty of peace and commerce between UK and Morocco, granting limited capitulatory rights. 1861 Treaty of commerce between Spain and Morocco. 1871 US declined offer by Sultan to obtain a protectorate over Morocco. 12 May 1881 The treaty of Le Bardo establishing a French protectorate over Tunisia. 8 June 1883 The Convention of La Marsa modifying the Le Bardo treaty. July-August 1898 The Fashoda incident. 8 April 1904 Anglo-French general agreement known as the "Entente Cordiale" delimit- ing their respective spheres of influence, particularly in relation to the Moroccan question. 31 March 1905 Visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Chancellor von Bulow to Tangier to insist on Germany's interest in Morocco and full independence of the Sultan. 7 April 1906 Act of Algeciras derived from the International Conference designed to effect governmental reorganization and economic reforms in Morocco. 1 June 1911 German gunboat "Panther" dispatched to Agadir, to protect German inter- ests in Morocco. 69 70 30 March 1912 The Treaty of Fez establishing a French protectorate over Morocco. 1914-1918 French North Africa emerged from World War I with French hegemony preserved by the untiring efforts of General Lyautey. May 1926 Abd-el-Krim, leader of the Rif revolt in Morocco, surrendered to the French. 18 November 1927 Accession to the throne of H. M. Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef ben El-Hassan V, present Sultan of Morocco. 1934 Termination of successful military operations engaged in pacification of last dissident tribes in Morocco. 7-8 November 1942 Allied landings in French North Africa. 17 November 1942 Clark-Darlan Agreement, Algiers. December 1942- Conquest and occupation of the Fezzan by General Leclerc's Free French January 1943 Forces. 12 May 1943 El Moncef Pasha, Bey of Tunis, deposed by the Allies following their victory over the Axis troops in Tunisia. 3 June 1943 Constitution in Algiers of the French Committee of National Liberation by Generals de Gaulle and Giraud following their Casablanca agreement. 30 January 1944 The Brazzaville Conference of French colonial administrators. 8 May 1945 Bloody repression by French of nationalist-instigated native uprisings at Sétif and Guelma in the Kabyle regions of Algeria. 27 October 1946 Adoption of the French Constitution of the Fourth Republic providing for the organization of the French Union. 10 April 1947 During Tangier visit while he was relatively free from French control, the Sultan in a politically-slanted religious speech backed the Arab League as a unifying influence among the Moslems of the Maghreb. 1 June 1947 Escape of Abd-el-Krim while en route to France after twenty-one years of exile on Reunion Island. 7 June 1947 Replacement of Eirik Labonne by General Alphonse-Pierre Juin as Resi- dent General of France in Morocco. 20 September 1947 Algerian Statute, approved by French National Assembly, became a law. 5 January 1948 Announcement by the Maghreb Office of the Arab League of the organiza- tion in Cairo of the Committee for the Liberation of North Africa under the chairmanship of Abd-el-Krim. 4-11 April 1948 First general elections ever held in Algeria to vote for members of the Al- gerian Assembly established by the Algerian Statute. 1 September 1948 Death of El Moncef Pasha, deposed Bey of Tunis, left Sidi Mohammed El Lamine the undisputed native ruler of Tunisia. 29 May 1949 Visit of Vincent Auriol, President of the Fourth Republic, to Algiers, the first French chief of state to do so since the visit of Gaston Doumergue, President of the Third Republic, in 1930. 21 November 1949 Resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly for an inde- pendent and sovereign Libya (including the French-occupied Fezzan) no later than January 1952. SECRET 11410 ITALY PORTUGAL SARDINIA BALEAR(Spain) ISLANDS (Italy) SPAIN 0 ATLANTIC ITERRANEAX N S E A INTANGIER ZONE Я E D M MITIDJA ALGIERS Bougie ilippeville KROUMIRIE SICILY TETUAN Legales Bizerte OCEAN SP. MOROCCO Mers-el-Kebir Arzew TUNIS Cape Bon Bo Kelibia Port Lyautey A T S Constantine Henchir-Lebna E Souk Ahras RABAT Mazagan Casablanca Gap Taza Oujda Ain Beida Fez Sousse Bou Saada MALTA Meknes AURES Haidra (U.K.) Tebessa: THE Berguent Khouribga ATLAS HIGH ATLAS S Kasserine le Safi Kreider Oumach STEPPE Zem Gentil Mogador SSAHARAN Laghouat SHOTT Sfax M-MIDDELAS REGIONI Gabes Tozeur ANTIVATLASOC Touggourt Beni Ounit Kenadsa ALGERIA TUNISIA / Bechar KSOUR TRIPOLI Sidi Ifni Abadia TENT Cape WESTERN ERO TUNISLAN SPANISH DEPRESSI Gadames SAHARA PLATEAU OF TADEMAIT LIBYA Z 28 SAHARAN Brach Sebha FRENCH WEST AFRICA Serdeles FEZZAN Gat AHAGGAR MASSIF Ft Laperrine (Tamanrasset) FRENCH NORTH AFRICA 20 SELECTED RAILROAD ELECTRIFIED SECTION OF RAILROAD FRENCH SELECTED MAIN ROAD WEST + NAVAL BASE GENERALIZED TERRAIN REGIONS NAVAL AIR STATION AFRICA Plain or Lowland AIR BASE Plateau Mountains 20 BASE: EUROPE ET AFRIQUE DU NORD 1:5,000,000 Sheets No. 3 (1944) and No. 5 (1942) Institut Géographique National, Paris Scale 1:6,500,000 0 100 200 300 400 MILES 0 100 200 300 400 The international boundaries shown on this map do not KILOMETERS necessarily correspond in all cases to the boundaries recog- nized by the U.S. Government 11410 Map Division, CIA, 6-50 CIA Reproduction HARTY ARCHIVES REGORDS NATIONAL TRUNAN AND SOVERNM SERVICE GPO-SSO-5690

Page data

Page
78
Source index
0
Type
document
Media ID
22cb09795955e1fc
Size
unknown

Document data

ID
486500863
Core
doc
Type
document
DTO data
{
    "id": "486500863",
    "sourceUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/486500863",
    "contentType": "document",
    "title": "Report, Central Intelligence Agency, French North Africa, Situation Report 36",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/486500863",
    "collections": [
        "President's Secretary's Files (Truman Administration)",
        "Intelligence Files"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/truman/hst-psf/602196/875513/875513-02-001.tif",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/truman/hst-psf/602196/875513/875513-02-001.tif",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/truman/hst-psf/602196/875513/875513-02-001.tif",
    "imageCount": 78,
    "hasImages": true,
    "source": "import",
    "hasTranscription": false
}

Context sent to Scholar

Document identity
{
    "localId": "486500863",
    "label": "Report, Central Intelligence Agency, French North Africa, Situation Report 36",
    "core": "doc",
    "dtoType": "document",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/486500863"
}
Document source metadata
{
    "id": "486500863",
    "sourceUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/486500863",
    "contentType": "document",
    "title": "Report, Central Intelligence Agency, French North Africa, Situation Report 36",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/486500863",
    "collections": [
        "President's Secretary's Files (Truman Administration)",
        "Intelligence Files"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/truman/hst-psf/602196/875513/875513-02-001.tif",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/truman/hst-psf/602196/875513/875513-02-001.tif",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/truman/hst-psf/602196/875513/875513-02-001.tif",
    "imageCount": 78,
    "hasImages": true,
    "source": "import",
    "hasTranscription": false
}
Document source extras
{
    "url": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/486500863",
    "naId": 486500863,
    "levelOfDescription": "item",
    "productionDates": [
        {
            "day": 28,
            "logicalDate": "1950-11-28",
            "month": 11,
            "year": 1950
        }
    ],
    "recordType": "description",
    "ocrSource": "nara-archive"
}
Page context
{
    "seq": 78,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "document",
    "url": "https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/truman/hst-psf/602196/875513/875513-02.pdf",
    "mediaId": "22cb09795955e1fc",
    "ocrText": "COPY NO. 1\nFOR THE PRESIDENT\nSECRET\nOF THE UNITED STATES\nFRENCH NORTH AFRICA\nINTELLIGENCE\nCHS\nOFF\nGENCY\nSR-36\nPublished 28 November 1950\ninamin\nTHE ARGNIVES NE\nAMAYO\nRECORDS\nYES SERVICE\nCENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY\nDECLASSIFIED\nS.O. 116S2. Sec. 3(B) and 50D) or de\nC.I.A. 6-13-74\nI\nletter\nWHET-AL WARE Detec 7.5.78\nSECRET\nWARNING\nThis document contains information affecting the na-\ntional defense of the United States within the meaning\nof the Espionage Act, 50 U.S.C., 31 and 32, as amended.\nIts transmission or the revelation of its contents in any\nmanner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.\nDISSEMINATION NOTICE\n1. This copy of this publication is for the information and use of the recipient\ndesignated on the front cover and of individuals under the jurisdiction of the recipient's\noffice who require the information for the performance of their official duties. Further\ndissemination elsewhere in the department to other offices which require the informa-\ntion for the performance of official duties may be authorized by the following:\na. Special Assistant to the Secretary of State for Intelligence, for the Depart-\nment of State\nb. Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, for the Department of the Army\nc. Director of Naval Intelligence, for the Department of the Navy\nd. Director of Intelligence, USAF, for the Department of the Air Force\ne. Director of Intelligence, AEC, for the Atomic Energy Commission\nf. Deputy Director for Intelligence, Joint Staff, for the Joint Staff\ng. Assistant Director for Collection and Dissemination, CIA, for any other\nDepartment or Agency\n2. This copy may be either retained or destroyed by burning in accordance with\napplicable security regulations, or returned to the Central Intelligence Agency by ar-\nrangement with the Office of Collection and Dissemination, CIA.\nTRUMAN\nAngyn\n\"NATIONAL\nARCHIVES AND\nRECORDS\nLIBRARY\nSERVICE\"\nGOVERNMENT\nDISTRIBUTION (SR Series) :\nOffice of the President\nNational Security Council\nNational Security Resources Board\nDepartment of State\nOffice of Secretary of Defense\nDepartment of the Army\nDepartment of the Navy\nDepartment of the Air Force\nAtomic Energy Commission\nJoint Chiefs of Staff\nFederal Bureau of Investigation\nResearch and Development Board\nMunitions Board\nIndustrial College of the Armed Forces\nET\nSR-36\nFRENCH NORTH AFRICA\nTABLE OF CONTENTS\nSUMMARY\nCHAPTER I-POLITICAL SITUATION\n1. GENESIS OF PRESENT POLITICAL SYSTEM; CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE PRESENCE OF\nFRANCE IN NORTH AFRICA\n3\n2. THE PRESENT POLITICAL SYSTEM\n5\na. Algeria\n5\nb. Tunisia\n8\nc. Morocco\n12\nd. Committee for the Liberation of North Africa\n16\n3. STABILITY OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION\n17\nCHAPTER II-ECONOMIC SITUATION\n1. GENESIS OF THE PRESENT ECONOMIC SYSTEM\n19\n2. THE PRESENT ECONOMIC SITUATION\n19\na. Agriculture\n19\nb. Mineral Resources\n24\nc. Industry\n26\nd. Finance\n27\ne. International Trade\n31\nCHAPTER III-FOREIGN AFFAIRS\n1. GENESIS OF PRESENT FOREIGN POLICIES\n37\n2. SIGNIFICANT RELATIONS WITH OTHER NATIONS\n37\n3. SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL ISSUES\n37\nCHAPTER IV-MILITARY SITUATION\n1. GENESIS OF PRESENT MILITARY POLICIES\n39\n2. STRENGTH AND DISPOSITION OF THE ARMED FORCES\n39\na. Army\n39\nb. Navy\n40\nc. Air Force\n40\nd. Police and Security Forces\n41\n3. WAR POTENTIAL\n41\na. Manpower\n41\nb. Industry and Natural Resources\n41\nc. Science\n41\n4. MILITARY INTENTIONS AND CAPABILITIES\n42\nSECRET\nCHAPTER V-STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING US SECURITY\n43\nCHAPTER VI-FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING US SECURITY\n45\nCHAPTER VII-THE FEZZAN\n1. THE LAND AND PEOPLE\n47\n2. FRENCH ADMINISTRATION\n47\n3. TRADE\n48\n4. FUTURE STATUS\n48\nMAP: Terrain Regions\nAPPENDIX A-Terrain and Climate\n49\nAPPENDIX B-Communications\n55\nAPPENDIX C-Population\n61\nAPPENDIX D-Biographies\n63\nAPPENDIX E-Chronology of Significant Events\n69\nLIST OF GRAPHICS\nFrench North Africa\nfacing\n1\nOrganization of the Government of Algeria\nfacing\n6\nDistribution of Seats in the Renewed Half of the General Councils\n8\nOrganization of the Government of Tunisia\nfacing\n9\nOrganization of the Government of French Morocco\nfacing\n12\nLand Use\n20\nComparative Yields\n21\nNorth African Herds\n23\nMoney in Circulation\n28\nOutstanding Bank Loans in Morocco\n29\nECA Aid to French North Africa\n35\nC\nSECRET\nFRENCH NORTH AFRICA\nAREA COMPARISON\nAND ARABLE LAND\n-\nA\nR\nE\nq\nFRANCE\nS A H A R A D E S E\nRT\nARABLE LAND\nSECRET\nWE 150\nSUMMARY\nFrench North Africa is, to all intents and\nParty, also exists in each area, and has been\npurposes, a political appendage of metropoli-\nunsuccessful in efforts to form a united front\ntan France, which provides its foreign policy,\nwith the nationalists. Neither the national-\nmilitary security, and over-all administration.\nists nor the Communists have the cohesion,\nEven if these favorable circumstances did not\nmeans, and sustained drive that would be re-\nprevail, this region would possess a consider-\nquired in a successful effort against French\nable value to Western security because of its\nhegemony.\nlocation and vast extent.\nThe standard of living of the native masses\nThe area, which comprises Algeria, French\nwould not decline catastrophically were the\nMorocco, and Tunisia, is five times as large as\nFrench to withdraw despite the fact that the\nmetropolitan France. More than two-thirds\nFrench phase of the local economy has im-\nof the region is desert, which all but precludes\nproved substantially since World War II.\ninvasion from the south, save by highly\nFrench policy now favors the development of\ntrained, professional soldiers, such as those\nlight industry and sources of electric power,\nwho followed General Leclerc during World\nincreased agricultural production, and a\nWar II on his celebrated march through cen-\nsearch for subsoil deposits of petroleum and\ntral Africa to the Mareth Line in Tunisia.\nstrategic minerals. Primarily for personal\nAside from the widely scattered oases of the in-\nsecurity reasons, much French capital has\nterior, the fertile land is confined to a narrow\nflowed into the area. ECA aid has contributed\nstrip along the 2,000 miles of Mediterranean\nlargely to industrial development. Of $96\nand Atlantic shores.\nmillion in ECA aid reallocated to North Africa\nNearly all of the 21 million inhabitants re-\nby France, more than half went into fuels,\nside in this verdant, and for the most part,\nmachinery and equipment, while the balance\nmountainous area. Less than eight percent\nconsisted of foodstuffs and other agricultural\nare Europeans while the balance is composed\nproducts and manufactured goods. These\nof Berbers and Arabs. The Berbers, who are\nimports reflect continuing gaps in the local\nthe indigenous stock and constitute two-thirds\nproductivity.\nof the native population, and the Arabs exist in\nAn economic problem arises from the fact\nthe primitive and impoverished economy\nthat native populations, aided by modern med-\nwhich has characterized for centuries this as-\nicine and sanitation, are growing at the rate\npect of Mediterranean culture. Their lives are\nof nearly two percent annually. Whether\ndominated by the exigencies of a rural environ-\nmodern agriculture can increase production\nment, and by the disciplines of the Moslem\nproportionately remains to be seen.\nreligion.\nThe location of French North Africa relative\nSmall native nationalist movements in\nto the Eurasian land mass makes its denial to\neach area are a source of concern to the\nthe USSR essential to the security of the At-\nadministrations. Except for membership in\nlantic community. It affords a base for\nan ineffective Committee for the Liberation of\nlaunching military operations against Europe\nNorth Africa, located in Cairo, there appar-\nand for the protection of the western Medi-\nently is no inter-area liaison or agreement\nterranean and its Atlantic approaches. The\namong the nationalist groups. A Communist\nmilitary establishments in being are capable\nParty, subsidiary to the French Communist\nof rapid expansion, although they are at pres-\nNote: The intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Army, Navy, and the Air\nForce have concurred in this report. It is based on information available to CIA as of\nJune 1950.\n1\n2\nSECRET\nent handicapped by shortages of skilled labor\nlayed for some time because the French lack\nand inadequate industrial facilities.\nthe funds to develop army, air, and naval\nBecause the French anticipate that North\nbases. The Atlantic littoral of Morocco would\nAfrica might, in the event of war, be neutral-\nretain substantial military value to the US,\nized temporarily by the USSR, they are plan-\neven if the western Mediterranean were ren-\nning to establish a focus of resistance in West\ndered untenable.\nAfrica. Realization of the plans will be de-\nSECRET\nSECRET\nCHAPTER I\nPOLITICAL SITUATION\n1. Genesis of Present Political System: Circum-\nfriendly relations between France and Ger-\nstances Leading to the Presence of France in\nmany.\" Bismarck, intent upon the consolida-\nNorth Africa.\ntion of Germany and other designs in Europe,\nThe area, known as French North Africa\nwas gratified to see the French dissipating\namong the nations of the Atlantic community,\ntheir energies on African soil, and raised no\nis called the Maghreb, or \"Western Land,\"\nobjections to the creation of a French pro-\ntectorate over the Regency of Tunis.¹\nthroughout the Arab world. Among the an-\ncients, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia bore the\nHaving gained this much, the French began\nRoman names Numidia, Mauretania, and\nplanning an empire which would spread\nAfrica, areas whose Mediterranean littoral was\nacross North Africa from the Atlantic to the\nidentified in the early nineteenth century as\nNile. The celebrated Fashoda incident in\na part of the Barbary Coast.\nSeptember 1898 put an end, however, to the\nFrance's entry into this region followed the\neastward realization of this dream. The\nFrench were forced to abandon Colonel Mar-\nCongress of Vienna (1814-1815), which ended\nFrance's hope of recovery of its former empire\nchand in the presence of an overwhelming\nlost during the preceding century in a series\nBritish force under General Kitchener, and\nof wars culminating with the defeat of Na-\nto drop further pretensions to what is now\npoleon. A new wave of Gallic imperialism\nthe Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The British, on\nrose during the ensuing fifteen years and\nthe other hand, apprehensive of Germany's\nfound an outlet in the vast, and hitherto\ngrowing power in Europe, did not offer further\nlargely neglected, continent to the south.\nopposition to French expansion in Africa.\nIn 1830 a French expeditionary force was\nHaving been outmaneuvered on the Nile, the\nlaunched on the pretext of restoring order in\nFrench turned their attention to Morocco, \"to\nAlgeria, but shortly found itself engaged in\nprotect Algeria from the West.\" During the\nfull-scale warfare. The hitherto disunited\nlatter part of the nineteenth century and up\nArabs and Kabyle Berbers rallied under the\nuntil 1912, this state had been the victim of\nleadership of the fabulous Abd-el-Kader, the\nthe violence of the many pretenders to its\nSultan of Tlemcen. They dominated the field\nthrone and native uprisings, of ruthless con-\nfor seventeen years until French arms, suc-\ncession-hunters and, finally, of almost com-\ncessively under Generals Bugeaud (later Mar-\nplete financial and economic prostration.\nshal and Duc d'Isly), Lamoricière, and the\nFrench missionaries, settlers, and traders who\nDuc d'Aumale, were at last triumphant, and\nhad been infiltrating the country for some\nAlgeria became the nucleus of a new colonial\ntime were not infrequently the objects of at-\ntack, so that about 1900 they began to en-\nempire.\ntreat Paris for protection. French troops in\nFollowing the conquest of Algeria, martial\nincreasing numbers were sent to Morocco in\nadventure on the Dark Continent became\norder to \"establish order,\" a task which they\nfashionable. Fortunately for France the con-\nperformed SO effectively that in 1912 the Sul-\nquest of Tunisia in 1881, \"to protect Algeria\nfrom the east,\" was little more than a military\n¹Tunisia is still referred to as the Regency of\nparade led by General Boulanger, a political\nTunis, a usage that persists from the time of Turk-\nopportunist who was viewed by Bismarck as\nish rule (1705) when the Bey of Tunis was a Prince\n\"the greatest political obstacle to continued\nRegent for the Sultan in Constantinople.\nSECRET\n3\n4\ntan was obliged to sign the Treaty of Fez.\ngree of industrialization, as well as decentrali-\nThis instrument placed the country under\nzation and a considerable local self-adminis-\nFrench protection and gave the great colonial\ntration for each area. This Conference laid\nadministrator, Marshal (then General) Lyau-\nplans for improving the social and economic\ntey an ample field for the exercise of his tal-\nlot of native peoples, and, when the De Gaulle\nents. He not only succeeded in pacifying the\nGovernment was transferred to Paris, some\narea, but also in preserving it for France dur-\nsteps were taken.\ning the first World War.\nDe Gaulle was cautious, however, in the\nThe Treaty of Fez (1912) completed France's\nmatter of self-rule. A Committee on Overseas\ndominion over a land area which extends 1,450\nFrance was set up to explore the colonial prob-\nair miles from Cape Noun on the Atlantic\nlem, and finally recommended a curious blend\nOcean to Cape Bon in the Mediterranean.\nof federalism and centralization in the form\nSave for its shallow coastal strip and widely\nof the \"French Union,\" with membership\nscattered oases in the interior, this vast\nbased on \"free consent.\" This recommenda-\nstretch of land, which embraces parts of the\ntion was incorporated in the draft constitu-\nSahara Desert in its southern reaches, is arid\ntion rejected in May 1946, but the phrase \"free\nand inaccessible.\nconsent\" was omitted from the Constitution\nThe problems which confronted French co-\nof the Fourth Republic as adopted in October\nlonial officials in Morocco in 1912 were gener-\n1946. French attempts to draw the protec-\ntorates of Morocco and Tunisia within the\nally similar to those previously encountered\nFrench Union as \"Associated States\" have met\nin Tunisia and Algeria; the solutions developed\nalong familiar and similar lines. The first\nwith consistent opposition from the national-\nFrench step was to free the French Zone of\nists, who demand autonomy.\nMorocco from all traces of international con-\nThe fall of France in 1940 and the promises\ntrol, starting with the establishment of a new\nof political independence implied in the At-\njudicial system for the purpose of abolishing\nlantic Charter and the Brazzaville Conference\nforeign capitulations which had been in exist-\nencouraged the nationalists in the three states\nence since 1358. By 1930 every effective ves-\nto hope for the withdrawal of French control.\ntige of foreign privilege in French Morocco\nBy late April 1945 nationalist feeling had be-\nhad been eliminated, except that of the United\ncome intense. On 8 May (VE-Day) a native\nStates (established in 1787 and renewed in\nuprising occurred at Setif, Algeria. Between\n1836) and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the\n100 and 300 French were slain. Within a few\nUnited Kingdom (established in 1856). Re-\ndays, Arab population centers in the vicinity\nforms were initiated in the administrative,\nhad been bombed by French planes in reprisal;\neconomic, financial, and military branches of\nand between 1,000 and 3,000 Arabs died.\nthe government, many of which were greatly\nFundamentally, the natives of French North\nretarded by the two World Wars.\nAfrica have remained substantially unchanged\nAfter the fall of France in 1940, the Vichy\nfor centuries. The French have imposed a\nGovernment, with the consent of the Nazis,\nveneer of European civilization on only a\ncontinued the forms and character of the\nsmall part of the urban populations. The\nFrench political administrations and military\nrural natives and the terrain over which they\ncontrol in North Africa. After the area was\nare widely scattered have remained essentially\nliberated by the Allies, however, the De Gaulle\nuntouched by their contact with Europeans.\nGovernment-in-Exile gave colonial policy a\nThe political scene is deeply conditioned by\nnew direction. In January 1944 Consultative\nilliteracy, extreme poverty, indifference, and\nAssembly debates on colonial problems dis-\na relatively primitive outlook in the mass of\ncussed decentralization of administrative con-\nthe people; on the upper levels there is more\ntrol. Also in January 1944, the Brazzaville\nself-interest than a burning zeal for democ-\nConference of colonial administrators recom-\nracy. Upon these disparate conditions the\nmended a federal assembly of French colonies,\nmetropolitan French have imposed a paternal-\na centrally planned economy, and a large de-\nistic and generally uniform modus vivendi.\n5\n2. The Present Political System.\nDecree of 1870, has not been assimilated cul-\nturally by the French.\nThe Tunisian and Moroccan protectorates\nAt that time there were many legal difficul-\nare viewed by the French as prospective As-\nties which deterred any Moslem from attain-\nsociated States of the French Union; Algeria,\ning a similar status. The chief of these was\non the other hand, has the status of an Over-\nthe requirement that he renounce Koranic\nseas Department in the French Republic and\nlaw, and place himself under the French judi-\nthe French Union. It consists of the depart-\ncial system. Most Moslems preferred to re-\nments of Oran, Algiers, and Constantine\nmain under Koranic law. Until quite re-\nwhich, with certain exceptions, are adminis-\ncently only a few thousand had elected to\ntered much as metropolitan departments, and\nfollow this alternative course, and these were\nof the Southern Territories which are still\nviewed with contempt by both the French and\nunder military jurisdiction, although the Al-\nthe natives. The overwhelming majority of\ngerian Statute provided for departmental\nstatus for them also. The Fezzan, a large but\nthe population was left with few civil rights.\nsparsely populated area in adjacent Libya, is\nThis situation was highly satisfactory to\nalso under French military administration.\nmost of the French minority residing in Al-\ngeria. The most vehement of these are the\na. Algeria.\n\"colons,\" a group of large landowners who, de-\nAlgeria enjoys a considerable range of civil\nspite their initiative and personal courage, are\nliberties. Press and radio are uncensored.\ndistinguished for their reactionary political\nThe 80-90 percent illiteracy of the people\nideas.\nenables France to keep Algeria on a level of\nIn 1944, however, General De Gaulle's\ncivilization below that required for full demo-\nFrench Committee of National Liberation in\ncratic self-government. The nationalists are\nAlgiers gave some 60,000 Moslems the right to\ndemanding more extensive modern education,\nvote in the first college without requiring\nwith a greater use of Arabic in the curriculum.\nthat they renounce their rights under Koranic\nlaw. Simultaneously the number of natives\nThe complacency with which France has re-\nempowered to choose local assemblies was in-\ngarded its political and economic position in\ncreased from 200,000 to 1,400,000, and the pro-\nAlgeria is revealed by the fact that prior to\nportion of native representation in these as-\nVincent Auriol's visit in 1949 only five chiefs\nsemblies was raised from one-third to two-\nof the French State, including Napoleon III,\nfifths.\nhad crossed the Mediterranean to inspect this\nOn 20 September 1947 the Algerian Statute\narea.\nbecame effective by its passage in the National\nThe French Government has followed pri-\nAssembly in Paris. The Statute stipulates\nmarily a policy of assimilation in Algeria. A\nthat Algeria shall continue to exist as three\ndecree of 1848 declared that Algeria was an\nFrench departments under a semi-autono-\nintegral part of French territory and per-\nmous administration in Algiers, which is en-\nmitted French citizens to send representatives\ndowed with civil responsibility and financial\nto the Constituent Assembly in Paris. At the\nautonomy. Although the Statute abolished\nsame time the government began to set up\nthe Southern Territories and \"considered\nadministrative organisms corresponding as\nthem as departments,\" it was not until Feb-\nclosely as possible to those in metropolitan\nruary 1950 that the Algerian Assembly took\nFrance. The cultural assimilation of the Al-\nany action. At that time the Assembly ap-\ngerians was less successful because of the\nproved a resolution of the Government Gen-\nenormous differences in religion, language,\neral to liquidate a portion of the Southern Ter-\ncustoms, and race which separate the Moslems\nritories by extending the boundaries of the\nfrom the French. Except for the few upper\nthree existing departments to the south.\nclass Jews the Jewish minority (about two\nUntil this action has been approved by the\npercent of the total population), which was\nNational Assembly in Paris, these areas re-\ngiven full French citizenship by the Cremieux\nmain under military jurisdiction.\nTCR E1\n6\nThe Statute also provides for universal suf-\nThe Assembly's principal function is discus-\nfrage,¹ creates an Algerian Assembly and es-\nsion and approval of the Algerian budget,\ntablishes Arabic and French as official lan-\nafter it has been drawn up by the Governor\nguages. The Statute, which is modified by\nGeneral and before it is promulgated in Paris\nlocal usage, asserts that all citizens have\nby a decree of the Minister of the Interior,\nequality of opportunity and obligation in the\ncountersigned by the Minister of Finance.\npublic service, and enjoy the liberties and\nBoth the Governor General and the Algerian\nrights of French citizens.\nAssembly can initiate expenditures. The As-\n(1) Government.\nsembly also elects six representatives to the\nA Governor General, who is subordinate to\nAssembly of the French Union at Versailles.\nthe French Minister of the Interior, is ap-\nA superficial appearance of political equal-\npointed for an indefinite term by the Presi-\nity exists between the French and native rep-\ndent of the French Republic with the approval\nresentatives in the Assembly. Each group\nof the Council of Ministers. He is charged\nhas 60 members. The two sections, or \"col-\nwith the administration of Algeria and main-\nleges,\" sit together and have equal rights.\ntaining the constitutional rights and liberties\nMoreover, the presidency of the Assembly al-\nof the population.\nternates annually between its two \"colleges.\"\nThe present Governor General is Marcel Ed-\nThe term \"the first electoral college\" de-\nmond Naegelen,² a Socialist who has held of-\nnominates the eligible voters among the 1,000,-\n000 Europeans and a small number of assimi-\nfice since February 1948. This official is aided\nlated natives who elect one-half of the Assem-\nby a Council of Government, the Algerian As-\nbly from their own ranks. The \"second elec-\nsembly, an extensive civil service, and by his\ntoral college,\" on the other hand, consists of\ncivil and military aides and advisers. His\nthe eligible voters among the 8,000,000 natives\nchief assistant is a General Secretary of Gov-\nwho elect the balance of the Assembly. Thus,\nernment of his own choice. (See accompany-\ning chart.)\nalthough there are eight times as many na-\ntives as there are French and assimilés in\nA Council of Government, over which the\nAlgeria, each group has the same number of\nGovernor General presides, acts as a civilian\nrepresentatives not only in the local body but\ncabinet; it is also charged with \"watching over\nalso in the French National Assembly and the\nthe executions of the decisions of the Algerian\nCouncil of the Republic in Paris.\nAssembly.\" The President and one of the\nThe political indifference of the native Al-\nVice Presidents of the Assembly are auto-\ngerians is indicated by the fact that in the\nmatically members of the Council, two others\nare appointed by the Governor General, and\nApril 1948 elections for the Assembly, the\n1,320,000 natives eligible to vote for candidates\nthe remaining two are elected annually by the\nAssembly, one from each \"college.\"\nto the \"second college,\" cast only 39 percent\nof the total ballots; whereas the 612,500 eli-\n(2) Legislative Bodies.\ngible Europeans and assimilés cast 61 percent\nThe members of the Algerian Assembly are\nof the total.\nelected for six years; half of the Assembly is\nIn view of the skillful way in which the\nelected every three years. Their duties are\nFrench manipulate these elections, it is not\nprimarily consultative. The effectiveness of\naltogether surprising that 103 of the 120 mem-\nthe Algerian Assembly is curtailed by the fact\nbers elected were either Frenchmen or pro-\nthat all of its measures must be approved by\nFrench Moslems, while only seventeen seats\nthe French Government.\nwere won by native nationalists. A single\n¹Legally Moslem women, as French citizens, have\nThis consultative body was created by the French\nthe right to vote; as Algerians, however, their qual-\nConstitution of 1946 and came into being at the end\nifications are subject to the Algerian Assembly,\nof 1947. Most questions regarding Overseas Terri-\nwhich has not yet fully implemented this provision.\ntories are submitted to the Assembly of the French\n2 Because Naegelen is a member of the French\nUnion for its opinion. Algeria is represented by\nNational Assembly, his leave of absence is extended\neighteen delegates, twelve of whom are elected by\nsemi-annually by that body.\nthe General Councils.\nSECRET\nSECRET\nORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ALGERIA\nGovernor General\nAlgerian\nAssembly\nCivil Cabinet\nMilitary Cabinet\nSecretary General of the\nAlgerian Office\nGovernment\nin Paris\nInspectors General of\nCabinet\nCivil Service\nControl of Appropriated\nthe Administration\nPlanning Staff\nInspection\nExpenditures\nDeputy Secretary General\nDeputy Secretary General\nof the Government for\nof the Government\nEconomic Affairs\nTechnical\nPublic Health\nSocial Hygiene\nInspectors\nCommerce, Power\nHydraulics\nGeneral\nand Industry\nPublic Works and\nFinance\nLabor\nPrice Control\nTransportation\nSouthern\nGeneral Security\nAgriculture\nSupply\nTerritories\nInterior and\nLegislation and\nForests\nMaps\nFine Arts\nPublic Functions\nNational\nPosts, Telegraph\nWE 250\nEducation\nand Telephones\n7\nCommunist, a Frenchman, sits for Oran.\ncriminal cases, however, French law has sole\nFrench control of the Assembly is further\njurisdiction. In areas where a serious conflict\nguaranteed by a method of balloting which\nexists, Moslem law is gradually being modified\ncan be invoked at the will of the Governor\nunder French pressure; where French in-\nGeneral, the Finance Committee, or one-\nfluence is at a minimum, such as in the Kabyle\nfourth of the Assembly. In this case, the\nregions inhabited by Moslem Berber tribes and\nballoting on a given measure is delayed for\nin the Southern Territories where the unor-\n24 hours, at which time a two-thirds vote is\nthodox Mozabites, a special Islamic sect, dwell,\nrequired, unless a majority in each \"college\nthe ancient practices continue.\nof the Assembly\" has been obtained.\nFrench courts, which follow the pattern of\n(3) Local Administration.\nthose in metropolitan France, have jurisdic-\nThe electoral inequality noted above is more\ntion over French nationals, Europeans, and as-\nmarked on the cantonal level. Three-fifths of\nsimilated natives who have renounced their\nthe 168 seats of the three General Councils¹\npersonal status under Moslem law. There is\nare filled by Europeans and two-fifths by\na growing tendency for French tribunals to\nMoslems.\nexpand their complex jurisdiction over the\nnatives in an increasing number of civil in-\nMoslem\nEuropean\nstances as well as in criminal cases. With the\nCouncillors\nCouncillors\nexception of the Courts of Assize, which con-\nDepartment of Oran\n22\n33\nDepartment of Algiers\n21\n32\ncern themselves only with serious criminal\nDepartment of Con-\noffenses, all French courts have both civil and\nstantine\n25\n35\ncriminal jurisdiction.\n-\n68\n100\n(5) Political Parties.\nThe same political parties exist in Algeria\nThe Southern Territories are under military\nadministration. The area is divided into \"cir-\nas in metropolitan France, although rightist\nparties are, on the whole, more conservative.\ncumscriptions,\" \"circles,\" annexes and posts,\ncommunes of \"plein exercise,\" 2 mixed com-\nThere are two nationalist parties, as well as\nmunes and all-native communes, all of which\ncertain pro-French native groups with legal\nare supervised by French native affairs offi-\nstanding.\ncers and administrators. Ancient Arab tra-\nA political dichotomy results from the semi-\nditional taxes and customs are in force, and\ncolonial status and outlook of the French, on\norder is maintained by the picturesque camel\nthe one hand, and the politically inert native\ncorps. Plans are underway for integrating\nmasses, on the other. The local scene is\nthem into the existing departments. The As-\nfurther complicated by the multi-party setup.\nsemblies in Paris and Algeria are faced with\nThe \"colons\" dread a weakening of French au-\nthe formulation of laws which will guide the\nthority in Algeria, and gravitate toward the\nchange-over.\nright in support of anti-Communist and colo-\nnialist policies. The \"colons\" number, how-\n(4) Judicial System.\never, less than ten percent of the local Euro-\nThe judicial branch of the Algerian Govern-\npean population, but exert much more in-\nment is dual, using both French and Moslem\nfluence than their numbers suggest.\nlaw. French law is under the direction of the\nThe result of the cantonal elections of\nMinistry of Justice in Paris, while Moslem law\nMarch 1949 was to keep nationalist repre-\ndescends from the Government General in\nsentation at a minimum; no Communists were\nAlgiers. The two bodies of law frequently\nelected. As the following table shows, the\noverlap in civil and commercial matters; in\nsecond college elected an overwhelming ma-\njority of pro-French Moslems.\n1 The party affiliations of the candidates elected\nin March 1949 are shown on page 8.\nNationalism. The general ineffectiveness\n2 Communes with powers approximating those of\nof nationalists in Algeria is heightened by the\na French commune.\nfact that the two movements-the Movement\nSECRET\n8\nDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS IN THE RENEWED HALF OF THE GENERAL COUNCILS\n(MARCH, 1949)\nFIRST COLLEGE\nSECOND COLLEGE\nIndependent Republicans\n15 Seats\nFranco-Moslem Union\n9 Seats\nRPF and affiliated\n13\nAlgerian Union\n9\nRadical Socialists\n10\nIndependents\n9\nIndependent Radicals\n2\nSocialists\n2\nMRP (Popular Republicans)\n3\nMRP\n1\nSocialists\n4\nMoslem Federation\n1\nRight Independents\n2\nUDMA\n2\nIndependent\n1\n(Pro-Administration)\nTOTAL 50\nTOTAL 33\nWE 350\nfor the Triumph of Democratic Liberties\ntive culture, and the political apathy of the\n(MTLD), formerly the Algerian People's Party,\npopulation.\nand the Democratic Union of the Algerian\n(6) Labor.\nManifesto (UDMA)-refuse to cooperate.\nThere is now little difference in the long-\nOrganized labor is the most effective Com-\nrange aims of these groups: the MTLD aspires\nmunist mass weapon in Algeria. The great-\nto complete independence from France even\nest number of unionized workers are grouped\nat the price of open violence; the UDMA be-\ninto the three Departmental unions which are\nlieves that Algeria should achieve its inde-\naffiliated with the French CGT. A coordinat-\npendence peacefully, its immediate aim being\ning committee, made up of prominent Alge-\nto have Algeria declared an Associated State\nrian Communists, directs the three organiza-\nof the French Union. The MTLD is led by the\ntions.\nfiery and mystical Messali Hadj while the\nThe leadership claims a total membership of\nUDMA is headed by the more moderate and\n250,000, three-fourths of whom are Algerian\nEuropeanized Ferhat Abbas. Since the na-\nnatives; it is believed, however, that member-\ntionalists now control only fourteen percent\nship is substantially less than 100,000. The\nof the seats in the Algerian Assembly, they\nCGT has concentrated its activity among\nare unable to exert a substantial effect on the\ndockers and railway and streetcar workers.\nlocal French administration.\nStrikes called by the CGT have not been\nCommunism. The Algerian Communists\nnotably successful, nor have the dockers been\nare numerically smaller than the native\nable to impede the movement of military\nparties but better organized and much noisier.\nmateriel consigned to the Far East.\nThe Party has concentrated most of its ef-\nb. Tunisia.\nforts on the poorer native and European labor\n(particularly dockers and utilities employees),\nThe French found in Tunisia a relatively\nand in recent months has made an effort to\nwell-developed, homogeneous native society\nattract segments of the native rural popula-\nand the remnants of a once-effective local gov-\ntion. The Party is led by Paul Caballero and\nernment, which had formerly sworn fealty to\nConstantinople. This government had been\nPierre Fayet who follow the line laid down in\nin the form of an absolute monarchy under a\nMoscow; it seeks closer association with the\nsuccession of sovereign Beys.\nnative nationalists and advocates a general\nThe French wisely availed themselves of\npolicy of liberation for all dependent native\nthis situation and retained a native shadow-\npopulations. The Algerian Communists have\ngovernment alongside their protectorate re-\nmet with little success because they are faced\ngime. Under the Bardo Treaty (1881) and\nwith almost insurmountable obstacles created\nthe Marsa Convention (1883) the powers of\nby the Moslem faith, the primitive state of na-\ngovernment, including the direction of for-\nORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF TUNISIA\nRESIDENT GENERAL\nBEY OF TUNIS\nDepartment of Public\nSecurity\n( Policy-lawmaking\n( Administration )\n( Technically\nCABINET COUNCIL\nresponsible\nCOUNCIL OF MINISTERS\nto Bey )\n( Moslems )\nSecretary\nPrime Minister\n( Prime Minister technically responsible to Bey)\nPrime Minister\nGeneral\n( Ministers ex-officio )\n( French)\n( Moslems)\n( French )\nAsst. Sec.\nSecretary\nInterior\nAdviser\nJustice\nGeneral\nGeneral\nAsst. Sec.\nPublic Works\nJustice\nAdviser\nCommerce\nGeneral\nDirector of\nFinance\nPublic Health\nAdviser\nPublic Health\nFinance\nLabor and\nDirector of\nEducation\nAgriculture\nAdviser\nSocial Security\nEducation\nCommerce and\nAdviser\nAgriculture\nDir. P. T. & T.\nHandicrafts\nLabor and\nCommissioner of\nAdviser\nSocial Security\nReconstruction\nSECRET\nWE 450\n( French advisers responsible to Secretary General)\n9\neign policy, rest with France. Nevertheless,\nwill be noted, moreover, that when the Bey's\nthe Bey of Tunis, under the control of France,\nCabinet Council reaches a deadlock, the ques-\nretains as a legal fiction the powers attaching\ntion must be passed to the Resident General's\nto the exercise of sovereignty.\nCouncil of Ministers for solution. It will also\nThe Bey is required by the Marsa Conven-\nbe noted that all the Moslems, with the ex-\ntion to undertake any administrative, judicial,\nception of the Prime Minister, who sit on the\nand financial reforms judged useful by the\nCouncil of Ministers are merely ex officio mem-\nFrench Government.\nbers of that body, and that each has a French\nFrenchmen and their descendants retain\n\"adviser\" who conforms the minister's activi-\ntheir French citizenship. Moslems and Jews\nties to French policies. Each minister must\nare considered Tunisian nationals. Non-\nconsult his adviser regarding the conduct of\nTunisians may acquire French or Tunisian\nall affairs of his department, and all docu-\nnationality by naturalization. Any non-Mos-\nments transmitted by the ministers to the\nlem born in Tunisia, at least one of whose par-\nSecretary General for implementation must\nents was born in Tunisia, acquires French na-\nfirst be \"certified\" by the advisers. On the\ntionality at birth. According to the French\nother hand, the French members of the Bey's\nlaw of 20 December 1923, however, such na-\nCabinet Council sit as full members of that\ntionality may be repudiated within a year\nbody, and are not encumbered with Moslem\nafter the attainment of majority.\n\"advisers.\" This situation is, of course, highly\n(1) Government.\nirritating to Tunisian sensibilities.\nFrench political domination is not restricted\nThe present native ruler is Lamine Pasha\nBey, a close relative ¹ of Moncef Pasha Bey\nto these, the top organs of government. Tu-\nnisians are disenfranchised save for a rela-\nwho was deposed by the French in 1943 and\nwho has since died.\ntively small group of \"notables,\" 2 who are\nFrance's chief representative in Tunisia is\njudged to be sufficiently reliable from the\nthe Resident General. He is appointed by the\nFrench viewpoint. These individuals are al-\nlowed to join with the French residents in\nPresident of France upon the suggestion of\nthe French Council of Ministers. His tenure\nelecting persons to the Grand Council of Tu-\nnisia which consists of 53 French and 53 Tu-\nof office is at the pleasure of the French Gov-\nernment. The present incumbent is Louis\nnisian members. This body, which occasion-\nPerillier, a career civil servant with Rightist\nally reacts in its own self-interest, exercises\ntendencies.\nfunctions which are similar to, but even less\nThe Resident General, who is responsible to\nvital than those of the Algerian Assembly.\nTunisian notables also elect members to the\nthe French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acts as\nForeign Minister for the Bey, and conducts\nrural Unit Councils and to the Municipal\nall external affairs. French military and\nCouncil of the city of Tunis. Other officials\nnaval commanders in Tunisia are under his\nare appointed by the French authorities.\norders.\nFrench control of the region, which has al-\nThe accompanying chart illustrates the\nways been rendered difficult by the shadowy\nand sometimes dual nature of the adminis-\ncomplexity imposed upon the Tunisian Gov-\nernment by the fact that it is a protectorate.\ntration, has become even more difficult for the\nThe native government is not allowed to make\nFrench because of increasing nationalism and\npolicies or pass laws, but must administer the\nthe high cost of military occupation, and be-\nmeasures laid down by the French after con-\ncause world opinion, exploited by USSR\nsultation with the Bey's ministers. The Resi-\npropaganda, favors independence for depend-\ndent General may, and does, veto native pro-\nent peoples.\nposals which conflict with French aims. It\nAs a result of these conditions, the French\nadministration has made certain superficial\n1 Succession is dynastic, rather than hereditary;\nand ineffective gestures to appease native\nthe Regency throne has been occupied since the\nbeginning of the eighteenth century (1705) by the\n: A group of natives who pay direct taxes, hold\nHussein family.\ncertain diplomas, or are veterans.\n10\nSECRET\nsentiment. An illustration is a decree pro-\nexecution of the Marsa Convention; (2) ter-\nmulgated by the Resident General in April\nritorial administration, Tunisian judiciary,\n1948 creating a Mixed Delegation to sup-\nand Arabic language educational posts, re-\nplant the old Superior Council. In the\nserved exclusively for Tunisian Moslems; and\nnew body, which is derived from the\n(3) a variety of other posts open, at least in\nelected members of the Grand Council, the\ntheory, equally to French and Tunisian na-\nFrench Government is not represented. The\ntionals.\npurpose of the Delegation is to afford a\n(3) Local Administration.\nmedium whereby the French and native mem-\nThe French exert a regulatory influence on\nbers of the Grand Council may continue to\nthe lower orders of Tunisian society through\nwork on problems on which that body has be-\ntheir Office of Native Affairs. Its represen-\ncome deadlocked. The Delegation will also\ntatives usually work directly with native Tu-\nact on behalf of the Council, when it is not\nnisian officials and, under certain conditions,\nin session, in matters relating to the budget.\nwith the people themselves. This phase of\nThe decree, in other words, places in the hands\nthe protectorate has been successful largely\nof elected Tunisian and French citizens powers\nbecause the French have used discrimination\nwhich had previously been under the guidance\nin making permanent appointments to this\nof French protectorate officials.\nservice and because, as a result, these French\nOn the whole, however, the actual control\nofficials have a general reputation among the\ncontinues to center in the Resident General.\nnatives for fairness and integrity.\nHe is aided, as the chart shows, by a Secre-\n(4) Legislative Representation.\ntary General of Government, who is Minister\nThe French minority of about 140,000 per-\nof Interior ex officio, and by French Directors\nsons, less than four percent of the population,\nresponsible for Finance, Education, Public\nis represented in the French Council of the\nWorks, all of whom are members of the Coun-\nRepublic by two Councillors elected by bal-\ncil, and by the vital Department of Public\nlots mailed to Paris by French members of the\nSecurity, which is not represented on the\nGrand Council and French members of the\nCouncil. As has been pointed out, certain\nelected municipal councils. The Tunisians\nMoslem Ministers sit ex officio in this body.\nobject to this representation in the Council\nThe Bey's Cabinet Council parallels the\nof the Republic, and have refused participa-\nResident General's Council of Ministers but\ntion in the assembly of the French Union.\nis concerned with the administration of the\n(5) Judicial System.\nregulations, laws, etc., which originate in the\nThe judicial system, as in Algeria and Mo-\nFrench organization. The Moslem Prime\nrocco, is dual. French courts have jurisdic-\nMinister, who at present is Mustapha Kaak, is\ntion in all cases in which one of the con-\nthe head of this body and is technically re-\ntesting parties is a non-Tunisian, while Tuni-\nsponsible to the Bey. The French Secretary\nsian courts have authority when both litigants\nGeneral also sits on this Cabinet Council and\nare Tunisians. The Tunisian secular courts\nis directly responsible to the Resident General.\nenforce both Moslem and French law. These\nOther French officials who are full members\ntribunals include cantonal magistracies, re-\nof this native body are shown on the chart.\ngional courts of the first instance, courts of\nIt is of interest that laws do not become en-\nappeal, and the Court of Cassation. Tunisian\nforceable until they bear the seal of the Bey\necclesiastical courts, on the other hand, deal\nand are signed by the Resident General. By\nrefusing to allow the use of his seal, the Bey\nwith matters subject to Koranic law. Among\nthe reforms introduced since the establish-\nhas been able on rare occasions to exert al-\nment of the protectorate are the codification\nmost a veto power over French legislation.\nand modification of the civil and criminal pro-\n(2) Civil Service.\ncedure of the Tunisian secular courts. A\nClassified civil service consists of three cate-\njoint Tunisian Land Tribunal, responsible for\ngories: (1) supervisory posts, reserved ex-\nthe registration of landed property, has ac-\nclusively for French citizens, pertaining to the\ncomplished a great deal toward the consolida-\nSECRET\nSECRET\n11\ntion of real estate property titles. A rabbin-\ndirected Tunisian Committee for the Defense\nical court exists at Tunis for persons subject\nof Peace was established in 1949 with a con-\nto Mosaic law.\nsiderable Neo-Destour representation on its\n(6) Political Parties.\ndirectorate. Recently, Neo-Destourian mem-\nThe Tunisians are more culturally advanced\nbers have openly expressed opposition to their\nand politically conscious than the natives of\nCommunist colleagues. The chief appeal of\nthe Communists for the nationalists is the\nthe other French North African areas.\nSoviet catchline, \"full and immediate inde-\nNationalism. There are two nationalist\npendence for all dependent colonial peoples,\"\nparties in Tunisia, both of which are legally\nwhich for French consumption has been wat-\nproscribed but are permitted to operate. The\nered down to \"early liberation.\"\nOld Destour (Constitution) and the Neo-Des-\ntour represent the desire of the Moslem popu-\n(7) Labor Organizations.\nlation for independence from France. These\nThe two important labor unions in Tu-\nparties are relatively small, but incorporate\nnisia are the Communist-controlled USTT\nthe natural and literate leadership of the\n(Syndical Union of Tunisian Workers) and\nTunisian nation.\nthe nationalist-dominated UGTT (General\nThe Neo-Destour party, formed in 1934, is\nUnion of Tunisian Workers). The Commu-\nan offshoot of the Old Destour party, and was\nnist-controlled USTT, led by Georges Poro-\nformed by young radicals who considered the\npane and Hassan Sadaoui, has made repeated\nolder members too pro-French. Although at\nattempts to incorporate the nationalist-domi-\none time the Neo-Destourians supported the\nnated UGTT whose able leader, Farhat\nidea of local autonomy, a position similar to\nHached, has had years of intensive training\nthat of the Algerian UDMA, the party (under\nunder French labor leadership.\nthe active leadership of Habib Bourghiba and\nBy the shrewd use of religious and nation-\nSalah ben Youssef) now works for complete\nalist appeals to the Tunisian workers, Hached's\nindependence, with violence threatened as a\nunion not only avoided joining forces with\nlast resort. They advocate a constitutional\nthe USTT, but has increased its membership\nmonarchy headed by a dynastic, sovereign\nfrom 40,000 to 70-80,000, while USTT mem-\nruler. A French offer in 1947 to include lead-\nbership within three years has declined from\ning Destourians in the Resident General's\n40,000 to 15-18,000. Despite its aversion to\ncabinet was rejected because the leaders feared\nCommunism, the UGTT somewhat hesitantly\nthat such an action would expose them to\naccepted affiliation with the Communist-\narrest unless they were safeguarded by hold-\nsponsored World Federation of Trade Unions\ning the premiership and several of the key\nin July 1949 in order to procure the world\nministries, and because the Destourians con-\n\"sounding board\" thus provided. Subsequent\ncluded that acceptance of this overture might\nto this affiliation, Hached has appealed to the\nbe construed as nationalist submission to the\nEconomic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for\nFrench protectorate regime. The chief source\nan investigation of social and labor conditions\nof political power exercised by the nationalists\nin French North Africa. Although the WFTU\nis in their control of labor, a matter of grow-\nhas no official connection with ECOSOC it has\ning concern to the French.\naccess to ECOSOC meetings. Hached, by ac-\nCommunism. A small but active Commu-\ncepting WFTU membership for his union, has\nnist Party, guided by Mohammed Ennafaa, has\nplaced himself in a position to make use of\nachieved a limited degree of success in mak-\nthe propagandistic values attaching to this\ning common cause with the Neo-Destourians\nindirect connection. The UGTT may ulti-\nin local labor's demands for the elimination\nmately withdraw from the WFTU and join\nof social and economic injustice. The Com-\nthe anti-Communist ICFTU, with which the\nmunist Party of Tunisia has had more tan-\nleaders have expressed sympathy. French\ngible results than its Algerian and Moroccan\nResidency officials have stated that they con-\ncounterparts in efforts toward a rapproche-\nsider the UGTT of greater importance than\nment with the nationalists. A Communist-\nthe USTT; however, the unions have equal\nSECRET\n12\nSECRET\nrepresentation at the consultative level in\nwas imposed and has not yet been lifted, except\neconomic and social matters. Because of its\nfor non-Communist French newspapers.\nrapid growth, the UGTT overshadows its spon-\n(1) Government.\nsor, the Neo-Destour party, and now occupies\na position that is potentially dangerous to\nThe shadow government of the Sherifian\nFrench interests. Although Communist la-\nmonarchy is represented at present by a Sul-\nbor in Tunisia failed to merge with and ab-\ntan of the Alaouite dynasty, in the person of\nsorb the larger nationalist labor union, Com-\nSidi Mohammed ben Youssef ben El-Hassan\nmunist influence upon Tunisian labor must\nV, eighth of his line, now in the twenty-third\nnot be discounted in view of the UGTT's affi-\nyear of his reign.\nliation with the WFTU.\nUnder the terms of the Treaty of Fez, the\nC. Morocco.\nFrench Government is represented by a Resi-\nThe native government which the French\ndent General who is the sole diplomatic inter-\nfound in Morocco was much weakened by cor-\nmediary, with the rank of ambassador, be-\nruption, economic chaos, intrigues, and the\ntween the Sultan and all representation of\nrivalries of pretenders to the sultanate.\nforeign powers in Morocco. The Resident\nGeneral is responsible also for the implemen-\nUnder the guiding genius of Marshal Lyau-\ntation of the treaty.\ntey, France took full advantage of the political\nand economic disorder within the decrepit\nThis officer, a political appointee, is selected\nSherifian 1 Empire. The French installed\nby the French Council of Ministers, and is\ntheir own government beside a native govern-\nresponsible to the French Ministry of Foreign\nment (Makhzen) which was composed of the\nAffairs. Three soldiers, including the present\nremnants of the old Moorish imperial regime.\nincumbent, General Alphonse Juin, and six\nIn addition to the over-all administration of\ncivilians have held this position during the\nthe area, the Treaty of Fez permitted the\n38 years of the Protectorate's existence.\nFrench Government to assume the responsi-\nThe Resident General is assisted chiefly by\nbility for the conduct of Moroccan foreign af-\na Deputy whose title is Delegate to the Resi-\nfairs and the maintenance of a defense force.\ndency General and who is a career officer of\nThe Moslem religion and the native customs\nthe French Foreign Service. The Resident\nwere respected; the authority of the sultanate\nGeneral is also assisted by a Diplomatic Coun-\nwas diminished and the reformation of the\nsellor and by the chiefs of his civil, military,\nSherifian Government was begun. The terri-\nand diplomatic cabinets. (See accompanying\ntorial limits of the Sherifian Empire included\nchart.)\nthen, as now, the French, Spanish, and Inter-\nThe Resident General exercises direct con-\nnational (Tangier) Zones of Morocco.\ntrol over the Directorates of the Interior and\nDespite the fact that the Treaty of Fez\nSherifian Affairs, and the Security Services,\nprovides for a protectorate, the French have\nall of which are concerned with the political\ngoverned Morocco since 1912 under a state of\nproblems of a country which has evolved from\nsiege decree. This places the population un-\ntribalism to the initial stages of a modern\nder modified martial law which gives the\nsociety in less than four decades. The Direc-\nFrench military and civil authorities the right\ntorate of the Interior is the most important\nto intervene in cases of civil disobedience and\nof these agencies because it exercises police\nto exercise the extraordinary disciplinary\ncontrol over the entire area. The Directorate\npowers that would otherwise be inapplicable.\nof Sherifian Affairs is charged with liaison\nIn addition, in 1939 strict military censorship\nbetween the various branches of the French\n\"Sherifian\" derives from the title \"Sherif,\" de-\nand native governments and is the medium\nnoting an Arab prince or chief descended from the\nby which official communications are dis-\nprophet Mohammed, bestowed upon the Sultans of\npatched and received between the rural Caids\nMorocco of the present dynasty. Succession to the\nsultanate is elective within the dynasty, and not\n(tribal chiefs), the urban Pashas (mayors),\nnecessarily hereditary.\nand the Makhzen.\nSECRET\nORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF FRENCH MOROCCO\nRESIDENT GENERAL\nSULTAN\nDELEGATE OF\nSECRETARY GENERAL\nGrand Vizir\nChief of Protocol\nRESIDENCY\nOF PROTECTORATE\n( Policy )\n( Administration )\nMendoub Tangier\nPublic Security\nCivil\nIndustry\nPublic Works\nFinance\nJustice\nDiplomatic\nCabinet\nPolitical\nand Mines\nCounselor\nSecretariat\nDiplomatic\nIndustrial\nPublic\nCabinet\nMilitary\nPublic\nHabous\nCabinet\nProduction\nHealth\nand Mines\nEducation\nInterior\nJudicial\nEducation\nAgriculture\nSherifian\nCounselor\nPublic Health\nand Commerce\nAffairs\nAgriculture\nFinance\nWE 550\n13\nAnother figure of importance in the Resi-\nFrench minority. Delegates (77 in number)\ndency 1 is the Secretary General of the Pro-\nof the French section are elected by French\ntectorate who controls and coordinates the\ncitizens. In 1948, for the first time, delegates\nnon-political administrative services. He\nto the Second College (21 members) of the\nsupervises the Directorate of Public Works (of\nnative Moroccan section were elected; the\nimportance in a region where no roads existed\nremainder (56 members of the First and Third\n38 years ago), the Directorate of Education\ncolleges) continue to be appointed.\n(charged with reducing the high illiteracy\nThe electorates which choose these dele-\nrate), and the Directorate of Public Health\ngates are composed of large numbers of \"repre-\nand Family Care (which with ever increasing\nsentative\" farmers, and businessmen and in-\nresponsibilities is charged with the health and\ndustrialists, who are organized into regional\nsanitation of a population which until 1912\nadvisory Chambers of Agriculture, and of\nwas living under extremely unsanitary condi-\nCommerce and Industry. Agriculturalists\ntions). The Directorate of Finance, also un-\nwho are elected to the Council of Government\nder his control, is a complex organization\nconstitute the First College of that body; busi-\nwhich includes central services and the de-\nnessmen and industrialists constitute the Sec-\ncentralized services of registry, stamp-duty,\nond College; a third College, which has existed\ndomain or landed property, and the adminis-\nsince 1926, consists of functionaries, em-\ntration of customs and internal revenue. It\nployees, and members of the liberal profes-\nis also heir to the old Service of the Debt\nsions.\nwhich was part of the Makhzen before the\nestablishment of the Protectorate in 1912. In\nIn the absence of any popularly elected\naddition, there are two directorates: that of\nassembly empowered to pass laws, legislation\nAgriculture, Commerce, and Forests and that\nis promulgated by \"dahir.\"2 Refusal to sign\nof Industrial Production and Mines. The\na Protectorate dahir is a prerogative enjoyed\nSherifian Office of Control and Exportation\nby the Sultan which the present incumbent\nand the Moroccan Office of Tourism, charged\nhas invoked occasionally, and from which, in\nrespectively with international trade and\ncertain instances, no amount of pressure from\ntravel, are both under the Directorate of Agri-\nthe Residency has been able to deter him.\nculture and Commerce. The Postal, Tele-\nSome dahirs have, nevertheless, become law\ngraph and Telephone Services are combined\nwithout the Sultan's signature.\nin an office, not a Directorate, also under the\n(3) Native and Local Administration.\nauthority of the Secretary General of the Pro-\ntectorate.\nNative administration is concentrated un-\nder the Sultan in a central Makhzen or native\n(2) Legislative System.\ngovernment, a relic of the old Sherifian Em-\nA Council of Government was created in\npire. Principal official posts are those of\n1919, and enlarged in 1926, to assist and ad-\nGrand Vizir (Prime Minister), presently occu-\nvise the Resident General. It is composed of\npied by the aged Mohammed Hadj el Mokri,\nFrench and Moroccan sections which convene\nVizir of Justice, Vizir of the Habous (inalien-\nseparately twice annually. The sessions of\nable collective religious property and endow-\nthe Council of Government, during which the\nment for support of religious or charitable\ndelegates of all three Colleges are consulted,\ninstitutions), a Director of Protocol, and five\nafford the Resident General a considerable\nrepresentatives of the Grand Vizir assigned\ncross section of public opinion, both Moroccan\nto the modern Sherifian departments referred\nand French.\nto above, which are the chief technical depart-\nThe chief function of the Council of Gov-\nments with French direction.\nernment is to make recommendations on the\nbudget and on lesser matters of economic and\n2 A dahir is a decree-law promulgated by the Resi-\nsocial interest to the native majority and\ndent General and signed by the Sultan or the Grand\nVizir. An order of the Vizir is a statutory order\n1 The term \"Residency\" is used to designate the\nissued by the Grand Vizir acting under powers per-\nResident General and his closest official colleagues.\nmanently delegated by the Sultan.\nSECRET\n14\nSECRET\nThe Resident General is represented by\nStates which retains its capitulatory rights\nFrench Civil Controllers in his relations with\nand privileges in Morocco and exercises con-\nthe native Makhzen authorities of the urban\nsular jurisdiction. This relic of extraterri-\ncenters and rural inland areas. Native Af-\ntorial justice owes its existence to the con-\nfairs officers, however, still remain in charge\ntinued adherence of the United States to its\nof administrative functions in the more re-\nTreaties with Morocco of 1787 and 1836, the\nmote parts of Morocco.\nlatter a renewal and development of the\nMorocco is divided into seven regions: of\nformer, and to the reaffirmation, extension\nthese, three (Oujda, Rabat, Casablanca) are\nand clarification of these treaties by the Ma-\neach headed by a French Civil Controller;\ndrid Convention of 1880 and the Act of Alge-\nthree (Marrakech, Meknes, Fez) by a general\nciras of 1906.\nor colonel of the French Army; and one, the\nAs in metropolitan France, there are courts\nAgadir-Confines of the Sahara, is a military\nof the peace, courts of first instance, and a\narea under command of a general.\nCourt of Appeals. There is, however, a nota-\nNineteen cities of Morocco are organized as\nble absence of the small army of court officials\nmunicipalities, and governed separately from\nso prevalent in France. The functions of\nthe regions. Two of the larger cities, Casa-\nthese minions of the law are discharged by\nblanca and Fez, because of their mixed Mos-\nthe auxiliary servants of justice, composed of\nlem and European (French) populations have\na body of secretary-registrars, or recorders,\ntwo administrations, one Moroccan and the\nand also are assumed to some extent by the\nother French.\nlawyers who act in the official capacity of\n(4) Representation in Paris.\nattorneys and notaries. Since 1930 a certain\nLike the Tunisians, Moroccans are not rep-\nnumber of notaries have been appointed for\nresented in the French Parliament and refuse\nthe larger cities by the protectorate govern-\nto participate in the Assembly of the French\nment.\nUnion. They also resent the fact that the\nThe courts of first instance also have crim-\nFrench residents in Morocco, who number\ninal jurisdiction, and perform the functions of\nabout a quarter of a million (less than three\nFrench Courts of Assizes. The number of\npercent of the total population) are repre-\nassessor-jurors is limited to six, of whom at\nsented by three members in the French Coun-\nleast three must be French citizens; the others\ncil of the Republic. These officials are desig-\nare European or Moroccan, according to the\nnated in Morocco as candidates for the Coun-\nnationality of the person on trial.\ncil of the Republic, by the people they repre-\nBefore the arrival of the French, the native\nsent, and are subsequently elected in and by\ncourts, from that of the Sultan down, had\nthe French National Assembly.\nabsolute authority. A pasha, or mayor, for\nThe combined French citizen membership\nexample, was all things to his people; he was\nin the French Council of the Republic for\na governor, a direct representative of the Sul-\nTunisia (two) and Morocco (three) is only 1.5\ntan for purposes of administration and ap-\npercent of the upper house of Parliament and\npeal, and a judge of criminal proceedings,\nis politically negligible.\nwhose sentences were immediately executed.\n(5) Judicial System.\nThe French have instituted certain reforms,\nIn Morocco, as in Algeria and Tunisia, the\nsuch as the abolition of corporal punishment,\nsystem of justice is dual. French justice,\nincluding mutilations. In many ways Mos-\nbased on the Napoleonic Code, was instituted\nlem justice is still primitive by western stand-\nby Marshal Lyautey in 1913. With one ex-\nards and native nationalists have urged that\nception, the foreign consular courts which ex-\nthe Moslem laws be modernized and codified.\nisted prior to 1913 were eliminated over a\nDivorce procedures are loose and facile. As\nperiod of years, with the recognition of the\nmatters stand, civil law suits can be dragged\nFrench Protectorate by foreign powers. These\nout interminably, especially in the lower tri-\ncourts were superseded by the French court\nbunals such as those in which the Cadis exer-\nsystem. The sole exception is the United\ncise their religious jurisdiction, the temporal\nSECRET\nSECRET\n15\njurisdiction of the Pashas and Caids, and to a\nfanatical leaders. Their potential influence is\nlesser extent in the Djemaas,¹ the local assem-\nreckoned by the French less on a numerical\nblies of the Berber tribes. The power of jus-\nbasis than on the assumption that these par-\ntice of the Pashas has been somewhat reduced\nties constitute a hard core of a widely-held but\nand their activities placed under the control\ngenerally latent nationalistic feeling which\nof a French court adviser, known as a Govern-\ncould be aroused and put into action under\nment Commissioner. Penalties entailing a\nconditions generally unfavorable to the\nprison term of more than two years have been\nFrench administration.\nunder the jurisdiction of the High Sherifian\nNationalist leaders agree generally that the\nCourt in Rabat since 1918.\nnative population is immature politically, as\nThe Jewish minority, about three percent of\ncompared with their neighbors in Tunisia.\nthe total population, has its own rabbinical\nBut, having given up hope of obtaining any\ncourts, competent for civil lawsuits, and an\nreal preparation for independence from the\nappellate jurisdiction, the High Rabbinical\nFrench, Istiqlal leaders demand complete and\nCourt of Rabat.\nimmediate independence with a constitutional\ngovernment under the Sultan. They admit,\n(6) Reform Measures.\nhowever, that they would require French or\nThe reforms indicated in the Treaty of Fez\nother outside assistance for a time after such\nhave been realized only in part. Not only was\nindependence was achieved.\nmuch time consumed in the pacification of the\nIt is of interest to note that the Sultan's\ncountry and in the fighting of two world wars,\npopularity with the mass of the people has\nbut the fact is that French policy, hoping\ngrown constantly as he has offered resistance\nto keep Morocco in subject status, has at cer-\nto Resident General Juin. The Sultan has\ntain times either opposed or failed to imple-\ngiven strong, consistent, but usually covert,\nment the changes proposed in these articles.\nsupport to the Istiqlal party, despite the\nA more rapid rate of progress has been made\nblandishments and threats of the French\nsince 1947 than in any comparable period in\nauthorities, which have included defamation\nthe past in the fields of judicial, administra-\nof character, and even a few trial balloons\ntive, educational, economic, and financial re-\ndesigned to test public response to the idea\nform.\nof placing young Prince Moulay Hassan on\n(7) Political Parties.\nhis father's throne.\nNationalism. Nationalism is the chief\nIstiqlal has benefited by the fanatical and\nrallying point of politically conscious Moroc-\nenergetic leadership of Allal el Fassi, now re-\ncans. The French have outlawed, but toler-\nsiding in Tangier because he fears curtailment\nate, both of the nationalist parties: the im-\nof his liberty should he return to French\nportant Istiqlal (Independence) and the very\nMorocco. The present active leader of Istiqlal\nmuch smaller but corrupt, from the native\nin Morocco is Ahmed Balafrej who, although\nviewpoint, Shoura (Democratic Independ-\nlacking the fire and eloquence of El Fassi, is\nence). Istiqlal is one of the more pro-US and\na better political organizer and enjoys the con-\nanti-USSR nationalist parties in North Africa.\nfidence and strong backing of the Sultan.\nUnder the leadership of Mohammed ben\nAlthough the precise size of these illegal\nHassan el Wazzani, its founder, the Shoura\norganizations is unknown, it is probable that\nparty has weakened itself because of its will-\ntogether they do not exceed 50,000. Their\ningness to compromise with the French, for\nvitality arises chiefly from hatred of the\nwhom it has acted as a stalking-horse. It\nFrench and from religious sentiments which\nhas, consequently, failed to divide nationalist\nare frequently inflamed by competent and\nopinion, although it has attempted to do so\nby advocating Moroccan autonomy within the\n1 Djemaas are administrative, judicial, and at\ntimes legislative.\nframework of the French Union. In this re-\nDjemaas judiciaires, with strictly judicial func-\nspect, it has fallen in line with an earlier policy\ntions, exist in Berber territory; there were 16 such\nof the Communists with whom the Shoura is\ntribunals in 1929.\nreported to have engaged in limited collabora-\nSECRET\n16\nSECRET\ntion. Shoura leaders reportedly came around\nhave more recently been somewhat successful\nto Istiqlal's thinking in the spring of 1950, and\nin their proselytizing in the rural areas. Com-\nboth groups now strive toward complete sep-\nmunist influence is more evident in the field\naration from French control.\nof labor in Morocco than in the political arena,\nCommunism. The Moroccan Communist\nwhere it carries little weight.\nParty, like its counterparts in Tunisia and Al-\nd. Committee for the Liberation of North\ngeria, makes up for its small size by its volu-\nAfrica.\nbility and close organization. It also enjoys\nInternational liaison among nationalist\na considerable advantage over the nationalist\nleaders has been maintained through the\nparties because it has legal status and controls\nCommittee for the Liberation of North Africa,\nthe principal labor federation.\nformed in Cairo in January 1948 under the\nIn the absence of its former leader, the Al-\nchairmanship of the Rif leader, Abd-el-Krim.\ngerian Ali Yata, driven underground by the\nEleven delegates representing all nationalist\nFrench, the destinies of the Party are in the\nparties except the Algerian UDMA party com-\nhands of Abdeslam Bourquia, a typical fol-\nposed the original committee. The aim of the\nlower of the usual anti-US political and Com-\norganization was to work for the complete in-\nmunist-directed CGT labor lines. He is less\ndependence of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco,\nnoxious to the French than the more appeal-\nwithout negotiating with the French or Span-\ning and inflammatory Ali Yata.\nish before achieving independence. The com-\nBecause the Istiqlal and the Sultan are both\nmittee seeks to obtain this independence by\napprehensive of Soviet intentions, Communist\npeaceful means, if possible, and contends that\nadvances toward rapprochement with the\nif violence is necessary the responsibility will\nnationalists have met with much more resist-\nlie with France and Spain.\nance than in Algeria and Tunisia. Recently,\nThe committee has proved ineffective be-\nhowever, fear that the US might relinquish\ncause of the lack of delegated authority from\nits privileged treaty position in Morocco, in\nthe North African parties, the failure of Abd-\ndeference to increasing French objections, has\nel-Krim to regain his prestige since his exile,\nled Moroccan nationalists to despair of US\nthe return to North Africa of the most influ-\naid or sympathy in their struggle for inde-\nential committee members, the defeat of the\npendence. This pessimism has caused the\nArab League on the Palestine question, and\nIstiqlal to take under consideration proffered\nthe League's declining influence and loss of\nCommunist assistance in spite of the incom-\nprestige in North Africa. Being located in\npatibility of Islam and Communism. Only\nfriendly Egyptian territory, however, the Cairo\npolitical expediency would prompt the nation-\nheadquarters has been able, to a degree not\nalists to accept this assistance.\npossible within North Africa, to contact and\nThe similarity of Communist activities and\nseek the assistance of Arab and other friendly\ntheir timing throughout North Africa indicate\nnations, to establish an active propaganda\nthat the three Communist parties in Algeria,\ncenter, and to meet freely to study North\nTunisia, and Morocco operate according to a\nAfrican problems. Recent statements by\ncommon plan directed from Paris. The So-\nAbd-el-Krim suggest that he is seeking to in-\nviet Consulate in Algiers undoubtedly main-\ncrease the activity and the influence of the\ntains contact with the local leaders and the\ncommittee and to focus world attention on\nFrench Communist Party, as well as with\nnationalist aspirations.\nMoscow.\nA second North African nationalist group,\nBecause of the French ban on Moslem\nthe Maghreb Bureau, forerunner of the Com-\nlabor's right to organize, the French have\nmittee for the Liberation of North Africa,\nplayed into the Communists' hands and the\nfunctioned until recently in Cairo. This body\nCommunist-directed local CGT has with rela-\nconsisted of representatives of Istiqlal, Neo-\ntive ease dominated European and native\nDestour, and MTLD, and maintained a sep-\nlabor. Despite the rigid control exercised by\narate entity although cooperating with the\nthe protectorate, Communists in Morocco\nAbd-el-Krim Committee. The eclipse of its\n17\nactivities by the Committee for the Liberation\nFrench economy; many schools have been\nof North Africa and the decline in vitality of\nestablished, the state of public health and\nthe Arab League, from which it received lim-\nsanitation is much improved, roads and rail-\nited financial assistance, have caused the\nways have been built, and a degree of public\nMaghreb Bureau to suspend operations, at\nsecurity established which is far superior to\nleast for the present.\nthe conditions which prevailed before the\nestablishment of French control.\n3. Stability of the Present Administration.\nThe value of its North African interests to\nThe French political position in North\nthe French nation is a compound of history,\nAfrica may be regarded as stable but on the\neconomy, and sentiment. The region as a\ndefensive. The major force, aside from war,\nproducer of wealth for the \"protecting\" na-\nwhich might cause the French to move out\ntion cannot be compared to the rich Nether-\nat some later date is not only the nationalist\nlands East Indies when under Dutch control\nmovements in the area but the change in\nor to India during the British occupation. In-\nworld attitude toward colonial possessions.\ndeed, if it were possible to compute the total\nThe British withdrawal from India, Burma,\nmilitary costs as well as those of civil admin-\nand Ceylon in 1948, the establishment of Israel\nistration, both French and native, including\nin 1949, recent developments in Indonesia and\nthe improvements which have been realized,\nIndochina, and the United Nations General\nit is probable that such a theoretical financial\nAssembly's decision to grant independence to\nstatement would show an over-all deficit for\nLibya, including the Fezzan, by 1952, all affect\nFrance. To be sure, many individual French-\nthe future of the French in North Africa.\nmen and groups have grown rich in North\nThe nationalist leaders will continue to ex-\nAfrica, and the growing volume of trade is\nploit this situation in their dealings with the\nfairly substantial, but whereas the British held\nFrench and the US. Much emphasis will also\nIndia with its population of 450,000,000 for\nbe laid on the anti-democratic menace of\nmany decades with a garrison of 50,000\nCommunism. But the fact remains that most\ntroops, the French are even now employing\nof the peoples in French North Africa have\nnot less than 90,000 troops in their far less\nlived for centuries in a culture pattern which\nopulent African domain in order to keep\nhas afforded them no mass sense of demo-\n21,000,000 natives in order.\ncratic procedures. The growing native mid-\nThe French view of the matter does not stop\ndle class has not yet developed sufficient size\nthere, however. Much French blood has been\nor cohesiveness to exert an effective political\nshed, and an enormous amount of capital has\ninfluence. Most nationalist leaders, when\nbeen expended. The hope is always latent in\nthey speak of independence and liberty for\nthe French estimate of the situation that\nthe area, are aware of the fact that they do\nNorth Africa, rather than making a few\nnot represent a literate and politically con-\nFrenchmen rich, may eventually return at\nscious population which could in the next\nleast a quid pro quo to the French nation as\ndecade realize a system of popular self-govern-\na whole. It is also assumed that the area will\nment. Nor do the natives, save for a minority,\nserve as a political and military refuge should\ndesire a democratic government. They do,\nhowever, feel the resentment common to all\nFrance be again overrun by an enemy and\noccupied peoples, and desire to be rid of\nthat it might again serve as a springboard\nFrench control.\nfor a successful counterattack. It should also\nbe noted that while the world empires of the\nIt is generally admitted, however, even by\nmany of the more ardent nationalists, that\nnineteenth century have been falling apart\nthe French have, on the whole, benefited the\nwith notable rapidity since the end of the\narea sociologically and economically. During\nsecond World War, French amour propre is\nthe past 36 years France was engaged in two\nstill stimulated by the fact that these protec-\nlife-and-death struggles against Germany,\ntorates exist and that Algeria is politically, at\nwith results that were all but disastrous to\nleast, an integral part of the French nation.\n18\nSECRET\nFrance will, therefore, endeavor to hold the\ntive populations than it has thus far seen fit\nregion, although in doing so it will be required\nto accord.\nto grant much greater concessions to the na-\nSECRET\nCHAPTER II\nECONOMIC SITUATION\n1. Genesis of the Present Economic System:\nThe great majority of the 20 million natives\nEconomic Factors Concurrent with and Subse-\nexist on a low standard of living, which is\nquent to French Military Penetration and Politi-\nbecoming further depressed because the popu-\ncal Administration of North Africa.\nlation is increasing at the rate of 1.7 percent\nThe present economic system in French\nannually while food production has remained\nNorth Africa is based on three factors: (1) the\nrelatively constant. The natives, 85 to 90 per-\nprimitive production and trading which char-\ncent of whom are illiterate, are engaged in\nacterize the Berber and Arab civilization; (2)\nsmall-scale agriculture, commerce, mining,\nthe traditional utilization of the area as a\nand handicrafts. Few of the natives are\nready market for the output of French indus-\nskilled workers or technicians, and most of\ntry; and (3) the recent efforts of the French\nthese could not meet western standards. Un-\ntoward industrialization against the possi-\nemployment is not a serious problem except\nbility that France will again be overrun by an\nduring drought years.\ninvader.\nNationalization is widespread among non-\nThe economic development of the area was\nnative industries. It is manifested in vary-\ndeliberately retarded during the nineteenth\ning degrees of French, Algerian, and Protec-\ncentury by French policy designed to protect\ntorate Government control, by government\nthe interests of metropolitan industry and\nparticipation in capitalization or in manage-\ncommerce. Until recently, industrialists were\nment, and by subsidies. The governments\ndiscouraged from establishing factories in\nhave majority participation in all petroleum\nNorth Africa to produce finished or semi-\nindustries, public utilities, and local airlines.\nfinished goods. French commercial interests\nNearly all rail lines are state-owned. Tobacco\nretain special advantages in Tunisia and Al-\nprocessing, the manufacture of matches, the\ngeria. Morocco, on the other hand, by virtue\ndistillation of alcohol, and exploitation of for-\nof the Treaty of Algeciras (1906) maintains\nest lands are state monopolies. Most mining\nan \"Open Door Policy\" and imposes import\nactivities are strictly regulated.\nduties and special import taxes.¹ In general,\n2. The Present Economic Situation.\ninter-territorial trade is free throughout the\na. Agriculture.\narea.\nIt appears, however, that the profits which\nAlgeria, Tunisia, and Morocco comprise an\nhave accrued to French individuals and in-\narea of more than a million square miles, of\ndustries have been, in the long run, more than\nwhich about three-quarters are sterile desert\noffset by the vast military and civil expendi-\nor wasteland; the balance (250,000 square\ntures necessary to pacify and govern the im-\nmiles) is arable. Production per acre of such\npoverished natives.\nessential crops as wheat and barley averages,\nhowever, little more than half the US output.\n1 Goods of foreign origin on entry into the French\nFrench agriculturists have demonstrated\nZone of Morocco are subject to an import duty of\nthat the use of modern agricultural practices\n10 percent ad valorem, except for silk, fabrics, pre-\nand equipment would permit the area to meet\ncious stones, jewelry, wines, liquors, and alimentary\nits own food requirements and to produce a\npastes on which the duty is 5 percent ad valorem.\nIn addition to the import duty, a special tax of 2.5\nsubstantial surplus for export. Most of the\npercent ad valorem is levied on imports into the\nland is, however, farmed by natives who still\nFrench Zone.\nemploy primitive methods. They have little\nSECRET\n19\n20\nECRET\nknowledge of insect control, use poor quality\nturned over to French colonists. When still\nseeds, and seriously lack irrigation facilities.\nmore land was needed for colonization, the\nSevere droughts in recent years and a scarcity\nFrench forced modification of the existing\nof consumer goods in local markets have\nMoslem laws and customs and thereby legal-\nhelped retard production.\nized the permanent alienation of both habous\nBecause of the war and the droughts which\nand collective lands to Europeans, who ob-\noccurred through 1943-45, the food situation\ntained rights tantamount to private owner-\nbecame so stringent that essential commodi-\nship. As a direct result of these ruthless oper-\nties were rationed until the late winter and\nations, almost half the natives in Algeria were\nearly spring of 1949. Conditions have now SO\nuprooted.\nimproved that only such imported items as\nLater, in Tunisia, the French practiced a\ncoffee, green tea, and special milk products\nmilder land policy; native land tenure was dis-\nare on the restricted list. Shortages of meat\nturbed even less in Morocco. In both protec-\nand dairy products continue.\ntorates, however, reduction of communal lands\n(1) Land Utilization.\nrather than confiscation of large areas pre-\nLand tenure, before the French occupation,\nvailed, and native laws regarding habous and\nwas governed by tribal custom and Moslem\ncollective land were modified.\nlaw. When French occupation began, a small\nThe rate of transfer of land from native to\nportion of each territory was privately owned,\nFrench control has slowed down appreciably,\npossibly one-third was habous property (en-\nalthough allotments of agricultural land are\ndowed for the support of religious charities),\nset aside annually for European colonization.\nwhile the vast bulk of the land was collectively\nFrom the meager statistics available on land\nowned by tribes or tribal fractions. Almost\ntenure, it has been estimated that Europeans\nimmediately after occupying Algeria, the\nfarm about 47 percent of the cultivated land\nFrench confiscated large areas of the tribal\nin Algeria, 22.5 percent in Tunisia, and 14 per-\nlands, thus forcing the natives back into\ncent in Morocco, as indicated in the following\nmountains and deserts. The seized land was\ntable. Comparatively small areas of land,\nLAND USE\nALGERIA\n8,371,200\n544,640,000 acres\n7,423,500\nTUNISIA\n6,391,400\n1,855,600\n30,887,500 acres\nMOROCCO\n104,220,000 acres\n13,534,000\n2,203,200\nCultivated\nCultivated by\nUncultivated\nby Natives\nEuropeans\nALGERIA\nTUNISIA\nMOROCCO\nVINEYARDS,\nORCHARDS, GARDENS\n0.3%\n3.2%\n0.5%\nFALLOW\n1.1%\n8.8%\n4.6%\nANNUAL CROPS\n1.5%\n14.7%\n10.0%\nUNPRODUCTIVE\n86.4%\n29.6%\n54.9%\nFOREST\n1.7%\n8.1%\n5.9%\nPASTURE\n9.0%\n35.6%\n18.9%\nSTEPPE LANDS\nPRODUCING ALFA\n5.2%\nWE 650\nSECRET\n21\nwhich are to be made arable by irrigation\neventually be reflected in increased yields. Al-\nprojects, will be distributed primarily to\nthough the 1949 estimated harvest is only\nnatives.\nslightly below that of 1948 and compares\n(2) Production.\nfavorably with the 1935-39 average, it must\nIn economic importance, cereals lead all\nbe remembered that the North African popu-\nother products. These are followed by wine,\nlation has increased by 3,000,000 (or eighteen\npercent) in the intervening decade. It is\ncitrus fruits, green vegetables, olives and olive\noil, cork, livestock, fibers, and tobacco.\nprobable that local breadgrain requirements\nin 1949-50 will be satisfied, but is unlikely\n(3) Cereals.\nthat there will be any large quantity for ex-\nAll cereal production, centered largely in\nport. On the other hand, the large exporta-\nthe rich coastal regions, is under strict gov-\nble surplus of barley cannot be sold on the\nernmental control. Of the acreage sown, 84\nworld market because North African prices are\npercent normally is devoted to wheat (44 per-\ntoo high.\ncent) and barley (40 percent). Native\n(4) Wine.\nfarmers favor barley because it requires less\nViticulture is of great importance in French\ncultivation and is more resistant to drought.\nNorth Africa, particularly in Algeria, where\nAs may be seen from the following table,\none-half of the total exports consist of wine.\ncereal production has been fairly static over\nIn 1948 Algerian wine production totalled 334\nthe last fourteen years. Cognizant of the\nmillion gallons, or considerably below the esti-\nneed to increase production, both French and\nmated average prewar annual production of\nlocal authorities are intensifying their efforts\n500 million gallons. A vast program of re-\nto educate native farmers and procure more\nhabilitation of vineyards is under way, and in\nefficient tools for their use. The arrival of\nabout ten years maximum production may\nmodern farm equipment through ECA should\nagain be reached.\nCEREAL PRODUCTION\n(In metric tons)\nWHEAT\nBARLEY\nOATS\nCORNª\n1935-39 average\n2,000,000\n2,075,000\n221,500\n218,000\n1946\n2,670,000\n1,669,000\n173,720\n220,000\n1947\n1,728,000\n1,782,000\n120,000\n257,000\n1948 preliminary\n2,150,000\n2,260,000\n216,560\n340,000\n1949 estimate\n2,079,000\n2,290,000\n243, 200ᵇ\n319,000\n1949 estimate for France (as of 1 August 1949)\n7,068,000\n1,354,000\n3,196,000\na Morocco only.\nb Algeria and Morocco only.\nCOMPARATIVE YIELDS\n(In bushels per acre, average computed from 1946-47-48 yields)\n37.7\n32.3\n34.2 35.7\n26.3\n22.7\n25.6\n'46\n22.6\nonly\n14.7\n15.8\n'46&'48\n17.2\n17.8\n14.0\n10.3\naverage\n9.5\n8.27\n6.45\n4.8\nALGERIA\nMOROCCO\nTUNISIA\nFRANCE\nU.S.\nWheat\nBarley\nOats\nCorn\nWE 750\n*insignificant\nR E\n22\nSECRET\nThe vast majority of Algerian wines are\nplantings are owned by natives. Yearly pro-\ncommon table varieties used extensively in\nduction has risen from 18,000 metric tons for\nFrance for blending with the finer grade\n1945-46 to about 25,000 metric tons during\nFrench wines. In 1948 almost 238 million gal-\n1948-49. The maximum possible production\nlons were exported to France and other French\nfrom present cultivation is 50,000 metric tons\nterritories, more than two-thirds of the total\nannually.\nAlgerian production.\nIn 1949, the Algerian commercial produc-\nTunisia and Morocco are net importers of\ntion of dried figs amounted to 16,500 metric\nwine; domestic production in both countries\ntons. Date exports amounted in 1948-49 to\nis substantially lower than consumption.\n24,500 metric tons, a portion going to Morocco.\nThe following table compares the 1947 and\nAlmonds produced in Morocco amounted to\n1948 wine production for French North Africa\n4,200 metric tons in 1948-49, and are esti-\nwith that of France, the world's leading pro-\nmated at 3,440 metric tons for 1949-50.\nducer, and of Spain:\nFrance is the only important importer of\nMoroccan almonds.\nPRODUCTION\n(In gallons)\n(6) Vegetables.\nCOUNTRY\n1948\n1947\nPulse production, chiefly broad beans, len-\nTunisia\n15,800,000\n12,000,000\ntils, peas, chick peas, and beans, totalled 131,-\nAlgeria\n334,000,000\n219,000,000\n000 metric tons for Algeria and Morocco in\nMorocco\n10,500,000\n11,000,000\n1947-48. Normally, production is in excess\nTotal French North\nof the countries' needs, and substantial ex-\nAfrica\n360,300,000\n242,000,000\nports are customary. There is also a consid-\nFrance\n1,129,000,000\n1,031,000,000\nerable production and export of fresh vegeta-\nSpain\n475,000,000\n536,000,000\nbles. (From Morocco alone, a monthly aver-\nage of more than 4,300 metric tons of fresh\n(5) Fruits.\nvegetables was exported in 1949.)\nFruit growing ranks third as a source of\n(7) Oils.\nNorth Africa's agricultural wealth, with citrus\nLarge imports of peanut and palm oil\nfruits predominating. Algeria, Tunisia, and\nfrom West Africa permit French North Africa\nMorocco devote a total of 123,550 acres to\nto export quantities of olive and linseed oils.\ncitrus fruits, and the production goal is 350,-\nAlgerian and Moroccan olive crops in 1948\n000 metric tons (almost 50 percent higher\ntotalled 123,000 metric tons, from which were\nthan the 1947-48 yield of 237,300 metric tons),\npressed some 14,000 metric tons of olive oil.\nor slightly more than three percent of the\nAlgerian oil is consumed domestically, but\nworld's total.\nMoroccan olive oil is one of the largest sources\nAs in the case of wine, Algeria leads the\nof dollars for the Protectorate Government,\nother two countries in citrus fruit production,\nwhich exported 4,916 metric tons ($4,146,918\nwith 122,300 metric tons in 1947-48, of which\nin value) to the US in 1948. (In 1949, Moroc-\n93,472 tons were exported, principally to\nco exported 446.7 metric tons of olive oil to\nFrance. Over 90 percent of the groves are\nthe US, valued at $343,264.)\nowned by Europeans, who produce 92.5 per-\nProduction of olive oil in Tunisia fluctuates\ncent of the total output. As in the production\nseasonally. About 42,000 metric tons were\nof cereals, the more modern methods of culti-\nproduced in 1948-49, 25 percent above the\nvation employed by Europeans result in\n1940-49 average annual production. The\ngreater yield. Moroccan production has\n1949 surplus available for export amounted\nsteadily increased from 32,000 metric tons in\nto 10,000 tons, of which more than one-third\n1942-43 to an estimated 130,000 metric tons\nhas already been exported to France.\nin 1948-49, of which 81,801 tons were exported,\nchiefly to France. Plans are being made to\n(8) Livestock.\nexpand production to 175,000 metric tons by\nLivestock is not only a source of meat and\n1952-53. In Tunisia about 60 percent of the\nhides, or wool, but is also a source of draft\nSECRET\nSECRET\n23\nNORTH AFRICAN HERDS.\nAlgeria (1947)\nMorocco (1948)\nTunisia (1950)\nSHEEP\n3,000,000\n10,000,000*\n2,500,000\nGOATS\n2,145,000\n6,009,000\n1,800,000\nCATTLE\n682,000\n1,660,000\n450,000\nASSES\n282,000\n554,600\n185,000\nCAMELS\n140,000\n165,400\n150,000\nHORSES\n189,000\n155,000\n100,000\nMULES\n222,000\n140,800\n60,000\nHOGS\n90,000\n96,600\n60,000\n* 1950 estimate\nWE 850\npower. There is, however, a great deficit in\nSome 15,000 fishermen are employed in\ndairy products-annual milk production in Al-\nTunisian fisheries. Sponge fishing, produc-\ngeria, for instance, is about 9.5 pints per\ning about 125 tons annually, is the most im-\ncapita. During the years of severe drought\nportant element of the Tunisian fishing in-\n(1943-45), sheep and hogs were reduced by\ndustry. The annual fish catch is estimated at\nmore than one-half and other herds suffered\n9,000 metric tons.\nto a lesser extent. Adequate rainfall and good\npasturage have resulted in substantial im-\n(10) Tobacco.\nprovement in numbers, although several more\nAlgerian tobacco production, 19,500 metric\nyears will be required before drought losses\ntons in 1948, is almost sufficient to supply the\nare made good.\nlocal market. Tobacco imports are declining,\nThe table above indicates the approximate\nand exports increasing. Morocco raises a\nnumber of domestic animals in the area.\nsmall quantity of tobacco-1,600 metric tons\nWool production, which averaged 28,000\nin 1946.\nmetric tons annually in 1931-35, dropped to\nabout 22,000 metric tons in 1947 and 1948.\n(11) Fibers.\nConsumption is in excess of production, how-\nVegetable fiber and esparto and alfa grasses\never, and imports of South American and Aus-\ngrow wild. In 1948 Algeria and Morocco har-\ntralian wools are necessary to supply the\nvested some 115,000 metric tons of alfa (used\nwoolen trade. Although most goat hair is\nin the manufacture of fine paper), about one-\nprocessed locally, a small amount is exported\nthird of which was exported. About 130,000\n(Algerian production in 1948 was 5,500 metric\ntons of vegetable fiber were exported. Great\ntons, of which 375 were exported).\nBritain is the chief purchaser of Algerian\nFrance and French territories are the prin-\nesparto grass (used in the manufacture of\ncipal importers of North African hides, most\ncordage, shoes, baskets, and paper); produc-\nof which are tanned locally.\ntion in 1948 amounted to 162,025 metric tons.\nMorocco produces about 25 tons annually of\n(9) Fishing.\nsisal, and larger quantities of hemp and flax.\nMorocco has a sizable fishing industry, and\nplans are being developed for its expansion.\n(12) Forests.\nAuthorities hope that with the procurement\nThe forests and wooded areas of French\nof modern refrigeration equipment the Moroc-\nNorth Africa were estimated in 1937 to cover\ncan fishing industry can be extended to supply\n18.7 million acres. In Morocco about 56,000\nAlgeria and Tunisia, as well as to furnish fresh\nacres (of a total of 6,425,000 acres) is prima-\nfish for the French market. More than 1,400\nrily cork oak, and 64,750 acres predominantly\ncraft were engaged in fishing in 1948, and the\ncedar. Other stands include varieties of oaks\ncatch was estimated at 55,938 metric tons.\nand conifers.\nSECRET\n24\nSECRET\nIn Algeria (8,948,000 acres) and Tunisia\ncarried on by the state or by semi-private or\n(2,511,000 acres) wooded areas are principally\nprivate firms with governmental permit.\nscrub forests including oaks (cork, evergreen,\nSubstantial wage increases, higher costs of\nand deciduous), conifers, and wild olive.\ntransportation, and replacement of essential\nOases of date palms are found in desert areas\nequipment have forced the governments to\nof Algeria and to some extent in Tunisia.\ngrant subsidies to keep the mines in operation,\nWild cork is the principal forest product;\nwith the result that annual production equals\nothers include firewood, lumber, and some pit\nand in some cases surpasses prewar tonnages.\nprops for the local mines. Charcoal manu-\nAntiquated mining methods restrict mineral\nfacture is a widespread, small-scale native in-\noutput in all areas. Mechanization is not\ndustry; production and consumption statis-\nwarranted, however, at properties with low-\ntics are not available.\ngrade or limited reserves. Transportation\n(13) Cork.\ndifficulties, particularly in Morocco and Al-\nAlgerian cork production is surpassed only\ngeria, also hamper production.\nby Portugal and Spain. Algeria normally\nSince there are few smelters and phosphate\nproduces 35-40,000 metric tons of cork an-\nprocessing plants in North Africa, the bulk\nnually (one-seventh of the world production);\nof the raw ore is exported. This situation\nlesser amounts are produced in French Mo-\nwill probably continue because of the high\nrocco (17-18,000 metric tons) and Tunisia\ncost of plants and equipment, and the lack of\n(3,000 metric tons). Of the 1,087,000 acres\nskilled labor and of technical experts.\ndevoted to cork in Algeria, 617,750 acres of\nNorth Africa is the world's largest producer\nthe less desirable areas are owned by the state\nof phosphates with 5,761,000 metric tons\nand the balance by private individuals and\nmined in 1948. The two principal deposits\nlocal governments. Rehabilitation of cork\n(Khouribga and Louis Gentil), with tremen-\nforests is essential or production will soon be\ndous reserves and yielding 75 percent com-\ndrastically reduced.\nmercial ore, are in Morocco and furnish more\nThe government does not control the har-\nthan one-half of the total production. Most\nvesting and processing of cork. Some 17-\nof the remainder comes from Tunisian de-\n18,000 Algerian natives are employed for two\nposits, with a smaller production in Algeria.\nmonths annually in stripping the trees. About\nIron ore production in 1948 was more than\n14,000 metric tons of cork, or substantially\n2,868,000 metric tons, of which 1,870,700 were\nless than half the production, are processed\nmined in Algeria where reserves are estimated\nin Algeria in four large factories, fifteen small\nat 30 to 40 million tons (average iron content\nfactories, and 50 hand shops, employing a\n53 percent). Known reserves in Morocco are\ntotal of 5,000 laborers, and producing 4,000\nabout 30 million metric tons from which 30-\ntons of finished products, such as stoppers,\n85,000 metric tons are produced annually.\nmats, and similar articles. Because few cork\nTunisia also possesses substantial deposits.\nprocessing establishments exist in either\nMorocco is the only important source of\nFrench Morocco or Tunisia, a portion of Moroc-\ncan and Tunisian cork is processed in Algeria.\nmanganese ore in the French Union, and pro-\nduces at present about one-half of the French\nAll unprocessed cork and the bulk of the\nmanufactured products are exported. France\nsteel industry's requirements. Manganese\nis the principal importer of the manufactured\nproduction has almost tripled in the past dec-\nade (from 78,000 metric tons in 1938 to\nproducts, while the US imports raw and scrap\ncork as well as some manufactured articles.\n195,400 tons in 1948). The largest known de-\nposit is remotely located south of the Atlas\nb. Mineral Resources.\nmountains, far from railhead or seaport, and\nFrench North Africa's second most impor-\nproduction is limited by the carrying capac-\ntant economic asset is its mineral wealth.\nity of truck transport. With adequate trans-\nKnown sources of phosphates and iron ore are\nportation, production could be doubled in the\nextensive; mineral fuels are scarce or of poor\nnext few years, thus making France self-suf-\nquality. The development of all resources is\nficient in this strategic material, and perhaps\nSECRET\nSECRET\n25\nproviding a small exportable surplus. A semi-\ngrade. About 80 percent of Moroccan coal\nprocessing plant of limited capacity is located\nrequirements are imported. Tunisian indus-\nat Casablanca.\ntry and power depend entirely upon imported\nMany non-ferrous metals and non-metallic\nfuels.\nminerals are found in French North Africa.\nKnown petroleum resources are insignifi-\nAll areas produce substantial quantities of lead\ncant. Morocco is the only one of the three\nand zinc, while Algerian mines yield antimony,\nareas producing any appreciable amount of\nmercury, barite, and diatomite. Moroccan\npetroleum and in 1948 supplied only ten per-\nmineral production includes minor quantities\ncent of its own needs. Prospecting for oil is\nof copper-in the form of chalcopyrite-and\nunder way in all three areas. After prolonged\ncobalt.\nnegotiations, British and US oil interests were\nAlthough known coal deposits are estimated\nfinally granted permission in August 1949 to\nat 100 million metric tons, production is sub-\ninvestigate petroleum potentialities in Tunisia.\nstantially below requirements. Algerian coal\nPreliminary discussions are now under way by\nis of mediocre quality and three-quarters of\nUS and French capitalists who desire to pros-\nAlgerian consumption requirements are im-\npect in Algeria.\nported. Moroccan coal is of better quality\nThe following table compares 1948 produc-\nthan Algerian, yet is also considered low\ntion with that of 1947:\nMINERAL PRODUCTION\n(Metric tons)\nALGERIA\nTUNISIA\nMOROCCO\n1948 TOTAL\n1947 TOTAL\nFerrous Minerals\nIron Ore\n1,870,700\n696, 100\n301,300\n2,868,000\n2, 109, 500\nManganese Ore\n195,400\n195,400\n103,400\n(Mn content)\n(104,970)\n(104, 970)\n(49,000)\nPyrite\n34, 230\n3, 215\n37,440\n42,020\nNon-Ferrous Minerals\nLead Ore\n1, 750\n21,620\n39,200\n62, 570\n50,710\n(Lead concentrate)\n(1, 050)\n(13, 370)\n(28, 240)\n(42, 660)\n(34,960)\n(Lead metal)\n(17,960)\n*\n(9, 840)\nZinc Ore\n13, 780\n4, 940\n4,660\n23,380\n21,800\n(Blende)\n(560)\n(4, 720)\n(4, 070)\n(9, 350)\n(9, 880)\n(Calamine)\n(13, 220)\n(220)\n(590)\n(14,030)\n(11, 920)\n(Zn content)\n(6, 130)\n(2, 470)\n(2, 340)\n(10, 940)\n(10, 180)\nAntimony Ore\n2, 540\n895\n3,435\n1, 140\n(Sb content)\n(855)\n(450)\n(1, 305)\n(540)\nCobalt Ore\n2, 100\n2,100\n2, 660\n(Co content)\n(280)\n(280)\n(370)\nCopper Ore\n1, 800\n1,800\n170\n(Cu content)\n(440)\n(440)\n(40)\nMercury\n13. 15\n13. 15\n11. 7\nNon-metallic Minerals\nPhosphates\n670,600\n1,863,700\n3,226,700\n5,761,000\n5,422,800\nFuller's Earth\n27, 640\n3, 810\n31,450\n22,800\nDiatomite\n8, 410\n8, 410\n6, 540\nBarite\n7, 610\n230\n7, 840\n6, 970\nFluorspar\n525\n525\nAsbestos\n400\n400\n790\nGraphite\n285\n285\n440\nMineral Fuels\nCoal\n222, 600\n290,300\n512, 900\n473, 100\nLignite\n70, 520\n70,520\n75,700\nPetroleum\n110\n12, 920\n13,030\n3, 030\n* Produced in Tunisia from Tunisian, Algerian, and Moroccan ores.\nSECRET\n26\nSECRET\nc. Industry.\nand certain electrical products. Except for\nSince the war, the French Government has\nthe recent establishment in Casablanca of\nmodified its economic doctrine and encouraged\nthe Société Chérifienne de Matériel Industriel\nindustrialization in North Africa. Consider-\net Ferrovierre (SCIF) which will produce,\nable progress has been made under the new\namong other things, railroad cars for local use,\npolicy despite the government's inability to\nthere are no facilities for the production of\nimport sufficient equipment from abroad, the\ntransportation equipment. Repair facilities\nneed to construct plants, insufficient fuel and\nfor automotive and aircraft equipment are\npower facilities, inadequate transportation,\nadequate for present requirements.\nand scarcity of skilled labor. Industries par-\n(2) Construction.\nticularly encouraged include: food processing,\nIndustrial and commercial construction re-\nmetallurgical, electrical, chemical, fat proc-\nceived a particular impetus during World War\nessing, paper and pasteboard, construction\nII and reached its peak in early 1948. Housing\nmaterials, textile and leather, wood, and cork\ncontinues to be in short supply, owing both to\nplants.\nthe increasing population and the trend\nThe influx of fugitive French capital into\ntoward urban expansion. The principal de-\nNorth Africa since 1945, the postwar demand\nterrents to the industry are the shortage of\nfor consumer goods, and industrial replace-\nmaterials, skilled workers, and capital. Gov-\nment and reequipment needs have now\nernment control over rentals has seriously dis-\nlevelled off, and the trend toward expansion,\ncouraged the construction of housing, and it\nexcept in chemical and metallurgical indus-\nis unlikely that substantial amounts of capi-\ntries, probably will be slowed. Because of\ntal will be attracted until higher investment\ntransportation inadequacies and the absence\nreturns are assured.\nof appreciable deposits of commercial-grade\nConstruction activity has been greatest in\nfuels in the area, there is little probability\nTunisia, where wartime property damage is\nthat any heavy industry will be established\nestimated at $335-420 million. Reconstruc-\nin the immediate future.\ntion is well under way, but work has been\nAlthough most technicians are drawn from\nhandicapped by non-delivery or delayed ship-\nthe European minority of the population or\nment of supplies and equipment from the US.\nfrom Europe itself, the North African native\n(3) Power.\npopulation is a potentially good source of\nMorocco and, to a lesser extent, Algeria\nskilled industrial labor. The Arabs and Ber-\nhave excellent water power sources, but until\nbers are intelligent, have an aptitude for me-\nmore dams are constructed to capture and\nchanics, and are quick to grasp new princi-\nhold a greater portion of surplus water from\nples when given an opportunity to learn.\nseasonal rains, hydroelectric facilities cannot\n(1) Manufacturing.\nprovide for year-round power needs. Tunisia\nTwo distinct types of manufacturing estab-\nis almost totally deficient in water power\nlishments prevail throughout French North\nsources, and practically all electricity pro-\nAfrica-native handicraft carried on in the\nduced locally is dependent upon imported\nhomes, and hundreds of small factories owned,\nfuels. Thermal and diesel installations in Al-\nfinanced, or managed by the European, or for-\ngeria and Morocco also require imported coal\neign, minority. Handicrafts are confined to\nand oil fuel.\nrug and carpet making, some textile weaving,\nElectric power produced in 1948 is esti-\nand leather, metal, and wood crafts. The\nmated at 950 million kwh, of which one-third\ngreatest number of processing plants in the\nwas produced by Algerian and Moroccan\nfactory category are devoted to foodstuffs—\nhydroelectric installations. While Algeria\nfish, fruit, and vegetable canneries, flour and\nand Tunisia have made constant gains in\noil mills, and distilleries. Locally grown to-\npower production in postwar years, the larg-\nbacco, as well as the imported tobacco, is proc-\nest increase occurred in Morocco where power\nessed in Algeria. Other manufactures are\nproduction increased 21.40 percent in 1948\nleather, matches, soap, paper, textiles, shoes,\nover 1947. As a phase of the government's\nSECRET\nSECRET\n27\nindustrial expansion program, several large\nfreight in 1949, or more than one-fourth of\nhydroelectric power projects are under con-\nthe 562,000 metric tons of freight carried in\nstruction in all areas. The completion of ma-\nan average month in 1949 by the railroads.\njor power projects now under way in Morocco\nAir freight and passenger traffic has also\nshould enable that area by 1954 to produce 800\nbeen greatly increased in recent months.\nmillion kwh annually, which would permit the\nPort facilities are being enlarged and mod-\nexportation of electricity to Algeria.\nernized, and new ports constructed. The port\n(4) Transportation.\nof Casablanca is particularly in need of en-\nWartime disruption of the transportation\nlargement. The reconstruction of Tunisian\nsystems had been overcome by 1948, although\nports, which suffered considerable war dam-\nmodernization and expansion of existing\nage, is well under way, and the state-con-\nequipment is necessary to service adequately\ntrolled port authorities have outlined plans\nthe increasing industrialization.\nfor extensive expansion of facilities.\nThere are slightly more than 5,000 miles of\nd. Finance.\nrailroad in French North Africa-concen-\n(1) Money.\ntrated chiefly on the littoral-of which only a\nEach area has its own monetary unit, the\nsmall percentage is electrified (475 miles in\nMoroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian franc; all\nMorocco and 150 miles in Algeria). Planned\nare tied to one another and the French franc\nimprovements of existing rail lines include\nat the rate of one to one. On 19 September\ndoubling the tracks, electrification, replace-\n1949 a single official rate of about 350 francs\nment of steam locomotives by diesel engines\nto the dollar was established in place of the\nand modification of steep grades and sharp\nprevious base rate of 214, the commercial rate\nturns. In 1948 Algeria and Morocco together\nof 272, and the official \"free\" rate of 330.\nreported more than 14.6 million metric tons\nof freight handled. (In Algeria alone, 62 per-\nPaper currency, issued by the two central\ncent more freight and 11 percent more pas-\nbanks, is the principal circulating medium.\nsengers were carried in 1948 than in 1947.)\nFrench currency is not legal tender in French\nPresent equipment is barely sufficient for\nNorth Africa; each of the French North Afri-\nadequate service. The French Government\ncan currencies is legal tender only in the state\nis attempting to interest ECA or US private\nfor which it is issued. All, however, are freely\ncapital in extending North African railroads\ninterchangeable on a franc-for-franc basis at\ntoward the Atlantic Coast and to open up\nany bank in the area, thereby greatly facili-\neast Moroccan and west Algerian mineral\ntating trade and capital transactions between\nareas. The ultimate terminus of this project\nthese areas and metropolitan France. A law\nwould be on the Moroccan west coast, which\nof August 1948 permitted resumption of trade\nwould then provide an interior route from\nin gold in Morocco, and it has become an\nthe Atlantic to the Mediterranean. This\nimportant center for gold transactions. Small\nproject would increase trackage by 1,750 miles\ndenomination coins, up to two francs, of non-\nand would cost about 29 billion francs ($82,-\nprecious metals also circulate, but they have\n860,000).\nbeen of little significance since inflationary\nThe primary road network, consisting of\nforces raised prices to a point where coins\nsome 30,000 miles of improved roads, also is\nbecame too cumbersome for transaction\nconcentrated in coastal areas. A 1947 cen-\npurposes.\nsus of commercial vehicles indicated slightly\nThe quantity of money in circulation rose\nover 30,000, which number has been greatly\nsteadily during the war and postwar periods,\nincreased by truck imports. By utilization of\nas a result of governmental deficit financing\nthe extensive road network, the truck trans-\nand extensive investment operations insti-\nport system is providing serious competition\ngated by French authorities and financiers.\nfor the railroads, and cessation of gasoline\nThe latest available monetary statistics for\nrationing in mid-1949 further stimulated\nthis inflationary period are shown in the fol-\nbusiness. Moroccan truckers hauled a\nlowing chart (comparable statistics for Tu-\nmonthly average of 124,500 metric tons of\nnisia are not available).\nSECRET\n28\nSECRET\nMONEY IN CIRCULATION\nLEGAL TENDER\nBANK DEPOSITS\n31\nDec.\n1938\n638\nMOROCCO\n831\n\"\n39\n1,072\n1,152\n\"\n45\n13,167\n11,924\n,,\n46 14,887\n24,198\n,,\n47\n19,107\n31,265\n\"\n48\n24,151\n46,999\n\"\n49\n26,721\n49,888\nALGERIA\n1\nSept.\n39\n3,200\n4,000\n30\nSept.\n45\n25,573\n18,562\n\"\n46 26,990\n27,058\n59\n48 43,000\n45,000\n(Figures shown are in millions of francs)\nWE 950\nInflation has interfered with postwar eco-\non 1 January 1948 by a directive from the\nnomic recovery in the three countries, just as\nDirection des Finances, the government organ\nit has done in France and many other areas.\nwhich frames bank policies, requiring affili-\nThe Moroccan inflation has been particularly\nated banks to report all loans in excess of\nbad, because of the better prospects for in-\n1,500,000 francs. So far the bank has not\nvesting fugitive capital from metropolitan\nacted as a direct loan control agency, al-\nFrance. During 1949, however, there has\nthough indirectly its influence is exerted\nbeen repatriation of money to France, ac-\nthrough its regular functions. Machinery for\ncompanied by a decrease of money in circu-\nsupervision over the granting of all credit in\nlation and a decrease in checking accounts.\nthe country having been established, in-\nApparently this contribution to inflation has\ncreased governmental controls over the econ-\nlargely run its course.\nomy may be forthcoming.\n(2) Central Banking.\nThe primary difference between the cen-\nBy the Act of Algeciras in 1906 a central\ntral banking in Morocco, on the one hand, and\nbank was created for Morocco, the Banque\nin Algeria and Tunisia, on the other, is that\nd'Etat du Maroc, the controlling interest in\na single institution, the Banque de l'Algérie et\nwhich is held by a private firm in France, the\nde la Tunisie, has had the sole privilege of\nBanque de Paris et des Pays Bas, although its\noperating for both countries. The bank is\ndirection is now in the hands of the Protec-\nowned and controlled by the Government of\ntorate Government. Its functions are those\nFrance. When in 1948 the Tunisian Govern-\nof an ordinary central bank: issuance of cur-\nment received without payment from France\nrency, depository for state funds, clearing\nhouse, rediscounting, and the operation of\na bloc of the bank's shares, it for the first time\nbranch establishments. Although most of\ngained an element of control in the bank.\nthe twenty-odd commercial banks in Morocco\nSimultaneously the French ceded an even\nare affiliated with the central bank, their\nlarger bloc to the Algerian Government Gen-\ncredit policies are not yet under its super-\neral. Little or no change in bank policy is\nvision. A step in this direction was taken\nexpected in the immediate future.\nSECRET\nSECRET\n29\nOUTSTANDING BANK LOANS IN MOROCCO\n(billions of francs)\nDEC.\nDEC.\nDEC.\nDEC.\n20 NOV.\n1945\n1946\n1947\n1948\n1949\n30.8\n30\n22.4\n20\n13.6\n10\n6.2\n2.7\nWE 1050\n(3) Commercial Banking.\nthe Banque de Paris et des Pays Bas con-\nCommercial banks in French North Africa\nsented, at the request of the French Govern-\nare privately owned, many being branches of\nment, to lend funds to the faltering Sherifian\nthe larger private banks in France. Short-\nGovernment and negotiated the 5 percent\nterm credit is little in demand, for the ancient\nMoroccan loan of 1904; in 1906 it took part\nnative specie habits still prevail to such an\nin the creation of a central bank for Morocco;\nextent that most business is transacted on a\nit created the Régie des Tabacs (Tobacco\ncash basis. The use of checking accounts is\nMonopoly); and it formed the Compagnie\nfar less prevalent than in Western Europe,\nGénérale du Maroc through whose intermedi-\nnotwithstanding a postwar trend in the direc-\nary it contributes to the construction and de-\ntion of replacing currency in circulation by\nvelopment of the railways, port installations,\nthe use of bank deposits.\nelectric power supply and distribution, and\nPostwar bank loans in Morocco have grown\nroad transportation.\nconsiderably, a trend which reflects increased\nAnother example is that of Mirabaud et\ninvestment activities as well as the falling\nCompagnie, a bank which has belonged to a\nvalue of the franc.\nsingle French family for generations, and\nThe primary reason for the increase in loans\nwhich is especially active in mining undertak-\nis the abundance of capital coming from\nings in Tunisia, such as the rich Phosphates\nFrance during the latter's unsettled economic\nde Gafsa, lead and zinc mines in Morocco\nand political conditions. Most loans are from\nthrough participation in the Métallurgie de\n30 to 90 days, as banks are cautious about\nPenarroya, mineral prospecting and promo-\nlong-term loans.\ntional ventures throughout French North\nIn Algeria loans were more limited, total-\nAfrica by the intermediary of its subsidiary\nling only 2.4 billion francs in 1948, in spite\nSociété Française d'Etudes et d'Entreprises.\nof an abundance of liquid funds.\nMany others, including the Rothschild bank-\nWhile there is no outstanding example of\ning dynasty, have been interested in finan-\nthe existence of the ownership and control of\ncial ventures in the three areas, so that a\nthe leading commercial banks in French\nconsiderable segment of existing larger enter-\nNorth Africa by private industry, banking in-\nprises which have not been nationalized are\nterests control large segments of industry.\neither owned or partially controlled by the\nFrench military occupation of each country\nbanks.\nwas followed by economic penetration,\nThe effect of various French fiscal and trade\nwherein French private banking interests\npolicies with respect to French North Africa\nwere active in establishing control over po-\nhas been to favor French banking almost to\ntential trading and industrial possibilities.\nthe exclusion of foreign-owned and controlled\nIn Morocco, for example, from 1902 onward\nbanking interests. As a consequence, so lim-\nSECRET\n30\nSECRET\nited is the field of opportunity open to for-\nGovernment finance in Morocco is a dual\neign banking that no important foreign banks\nfunction, for in addition to the French Pro-\noperate in the areas, except two Italian banks\ntectorate Administration budget, the Makh-\nin Tunisia and a British bank in Algiers.\nzen, or native Moorish Government, has its\nIn addition to commercial banks, there are\nown separate budget. Comparison of the\ngovernment-owned and controlled savings in-\n1948 Makhzen budget of 277 million francs\nstitutions, postal and ordinary, throughout\nwith the 22,482 million franc budget of the\nthe three areas. Current deposits with sav-\nProtectorate Administration in Morocco indi-\nings institutions are many times those of pre-\ncates the limited sphere of operations of the\nwar, reflecting the inflation as well as a pref-\nnative government. The other two countries\nerence for increased liquidity. A number of\nhave this duality of government but not of\ninsurance companies, predominantly French,\nbudget.\nalso have investment banking activities which\nPreparation of budgets is a function of the\nare controlled to a high degree by the gov-\nlocal governments, subject to final approval\nernment. Because the two most notable eco-\nby the French Ministries of Interior (Algerian\nnomic features of the area are a low stand-\nbudget), Foreign Affairs (Moroccan and Tu-\nard of living and an extremely unequal dis-\nnisian budgets), and Finance. In Tunisia ap-\ntribution of wealth, the role of savings insti-\nproval by the Grand Council is required, un-\ntutions is to accumulate a large share of the\nless the Tunisian and French Sections of the\navailable money suitable for investment.\nCouncil disagree, in which case the Mixed\nThese large savings comprise an important\nDelegation makes the decision. Since 1947,\npart of the total purchasing power, approxi-\nthe Algerian Assembly approves the budget\nmately 90 percent of which is concentrated in\nafter its proposal by the Governor General and\nthe hands of Europeans and wealthy natives\nprior to final approval in Paris. Contribu-\nwho together constitute but 10 percent of the\ntions from French North Africa to the French\npopulation.\nGovernment for military purposes were in-\n(4) Government Finance.\ncreased during the war (the maximum Al-\ngerian contribution was 600 million francs in\nThe three countries have similar, but sepa-\n1943) and subsequently reduced. Postwar\nrate, methods of government finance. The\ncontributions have been largely returned for\nbudget systems are patterned after that of\nsocial welfare and reconstruction.\nFrance, insofar as each has an ordinary budg-\net, an extraordinary budget, and one or more\nRevenues are derived principally from tax-\nspecial budgets. The ordinary budget covers\nation, customs duties and income from state-\nthe regular recurring expenses of the govern-\nowned properties and monopolies. For the\nment departments; the extraordinary budget\nfiscal year 1949, Morocco's budgeted revenues\nis used for such projects as new public works,\nincluded 5,980 million francs from direct\nand, more recently, postwar reconstruction.\ntaxes, 8,088 million francs from customs du-\nThe 1949 Tunisian budgets totalled 29.1 bil-\nties, 2,165 million francs from indirect taxes,\nlion francs, of which over one-third is obtained\nand 1,745 million francs from registration and\nfrom French appropriations-3 billion francs\nstamp taxes. Another major source of in-\nfrom ECA counterpart funds and 7 billion\ncome was 6,408 million francs income from\nfrancs from regular appropriations-which\nthe state monopolies of Morocco. The Al-\nhave been the primary source of deficit finance\ngerian budget for 1949 was based on expected\nand hence are inflationary in character. The\ntax revenues of 31,160 million francs, income\n1949 Moroccan budget totalled 31.3 billion, of\nfrom state properties of 777.6 million francs\nwhich 12 billion francs are loaned from French\nand 1,864 million francs from miscellaneous\ncounterpart funds, and 0.2 billion are ad-\nsources. While the Tunisian budget was not\nvances from the French Treasury. The Al-\nbroken down, anticipated revenue in 1949\ngerian budget for 1949 totalled 52.5 billion\nfrom all sources was 16,340 million francs.\nfrancs. Special loans are floated from time to\nWith negligible exceptions, taxation is for\ntime as additional sources of deficit finances.\nsupport of the local governments. There is\nSECRET\nSECRET\n31\nvirtually no taxation in the area by the cen-\nSavings had been low and most funds for\ntral government at Paris. Revenue from\ncredit operations had come from abroad with\ntaxes is high relative to that in France. For\nhigh rates of interest. The protectorate gov-\nexample, Algerian taxes in 1948 consumed 25\nernments had leaned heavily on their central\npercent of the country's national income com-\nbanks for investment financing. Since the\npared to 19 percent in France. Most taxes\ncessation of hostilities there has been, until\nare borne by the consumer, and cannot easily\nrecent months, a heavy influx of private capi-\nbe increased because of the public's limited\ntal from France, because of the relatively less\npurchasing power.\nstable conditions in metropolitan France.\nExpenditures prior to the war were made for\nSuch funds were invested in industrial enter-\nthe most part from the Ordinary Budget and\nprises, mining, land and the building boom,\nwere allocated among the various departments\nnotably in Morocco where the bulk of the \"hot\nof government for administrative purposes.\nmoney\" is to be found. It is estimated that\nIn the postwar period, expenditures have in-\n10 billion francs (about $30 million) entered\ncreased rapidly as a result both of increased\nMorocco as fugitive capital in 1948 alone.\ncosts during an inflationary period and of the\nThe effects of postwar capital influx have\nenlarged scope of governmental economic\nbeen: (1) a heavy contribution to inflation\nfunctions. Whereas the majority of prewar\nby stimulation of investment activities; (2)\nexpense was for personnel, outlays for build-\nlowering exorbitant interest rates to normal;\ning and equipment are now nearly as large\n(3) a large increase in short-term bank\nas for payrolls. Reconstruction of war dam-\nloans-relative to long-term loans-for the\nage and public works projects in combination\nbanks fear a sudden withdrawal of deposits for\naccounted for 61 percent of budgeted expendi-\nrepatriation to France; and (4) speculation in\ntures for the Tunisian Protectorate for 1948.\nmany directions, aiding prosperity for the\nIn Algeria and Morocco, where war damage\nwealthy minority.\nwas negligible, public works projects consti-\nFurther extensive private investment, how-\ntute about one-half of government expendi-\never, appears unlikely, for the trend has re-\ntures.\nversed as a consequence of improved condi-\ntions in France, returning confidence in the\nBudgetary deficits have been largely\nFrench franc, and glutting some French\nfinanced by loans and Treasury advances from\nNorth African markets.\nthe Government of France. Although an ad-\nditional burden to the French taxpayer, these\ne. International Trade.\n\"subsidies\" are employed as a means of re-\nThe relative importance of foreign trade to\nenforcing political domination of the area.\nthe three areas is indicated by the value of ex-\nDuring recent years, the proportions of French\nports per capita for 1948: Algeria, 8,400 francs,\nfinancial aid has been increasing, until the\nand Morocco and Tunisia each about 4,000\n1949 budgets of Morocco and Tunisia provided\nfrancs. For French North Africa as a whole,\nfor deficits of 10 and 13 billion francs, respec-\nthe per capita value of exports in 1948 was\ntively.\nslightly less than 6,000 francs, as compared\nThe public debts of those two areas had\nwith the figure for the metropole of 10,400\nat the end of 1949 exceeded 40 billion francs\nfrancs.\nin Morocco and 31 billion francs in Tunisia.\nFrench North Africa is particularly impor-\nThese debts were expected to reach 54 and 40\ntant as a market for French metropolitan\nbillion francs, respectively, before the end\ngoods, accounting for 28 percent of France's\nof 1950. The Algerian public debt is expected\nexports in 1948. As a source of supply,\nto reach 30 billion francs by the end of the\nFrench North Africa accounted for 16 percent\n1951 fiscal year (31 March 1951).\nof France's imports in 1948. French North\nAfrica exceeds in importance all other French\n(5) Capital Movements.\noverseas territories, accounting in 1948 for\nCapital had been at a premium in all three\nabout 65 percent of France's trade with all\ncountries prior to the end of the recent war.\nFrench overseas territories.\nSECRET\n32\nLicenses are required in Algeria and Tunisia\nDISTRIBUTION OF PHOSPHATE ROCK EXPORTS\nfor trade with countries outside the franc zone.\nJANUARY-JUNE 1949\nIn French Morocco licenses are also required,\n(In metric tons)\nexcept for a list of 20 items which may be im-\nMOROCCO\nALGERIA\nTUNISIA\nported without license, provided the importer\nFrance\n247,925\n50, 403\n190, 352\ndoes not request an official allocation of for-\nGreat Britain\n352,523\n23,975\n213,531\neign exchange. Import permits are restricted\nItaly\n212,941\n15,920\n162, 546\nto goods which are essential to the economy\nSpain\n127,079\n25, 835\n80, 410\nof the respective areas and which France and\nPortugal\n48,730\n11,950\n19, 460\nits possession cannot supply in sufficient\nGermany\n73,809\n115,767\nNetherlands\n148,258\n48,680\n50,766\nquantities.\nBelgium\n133,737\n29, 396\n(1) Commodity Composition of Trade.\nYugoslavia\n12,900\n9, 710\nPoland\n12, 210\n2,650\nFrench North Africa exports agricultural\nHungary\n4,650\n2, 438\nproducts, minerals, and metals; it imports\nFinland\n26,481\ntropical food products (coffee, sugar, tea), tex-\nCzechoslovakia\n20,614\ntiles, steel, and manufactured goods.\nOther\n637, 033\n51, 155\n54, 198\nBy far the most important export by value\nTotal Exports\n1,908,226\n331,487\n978, 319\nis Algerian wine, which in 1948 accounted for\nmore than half of Algeria's total export trade\nexports and less than 2 percent of Algeria's\nand about a third of the total value of all\nexports), lead (12 percent of Tunisia's exports\nFrench North African exports. Although the\nand 1 percent of Morocco's exports), and man-\nvolume of production and exports of wine are\nganese (4 percent of Morocco's exports).\nwell below the prewar level, total value has\nOf the total value of imported commodities\nincreased because of the higher level of post-\nin 1947, fuel (coal and petroleum) and wood\nwar prices.\naccounted for over 10 percent. Cotton fabrics;\nThe second most important export com-\ncoffee, sugar and tea, as a group, and auto-\nmodity is phosphate rock, accounting for\nmobiles and parts, each accounted for be-\nabout 17 percent of Morocco's exports, 24 per-\ntween 5 and 10 percent of the total. Wheat\ncent of Tunisia's exports, less than 2 percent\nand rice, meat and dairy products, and peanut\nof Algeria's exports, and 8 percent of total\noil (the locally produced and more valuable\nFrench North Africa's exports in 1948. Phos-\nolive oil being exported) were smaller but\nphate rock being a low value commodity, value\nnevertheless significant import categories.\ndata fail to reflect the significance of North\nImports of agricultural machinery, particu-\nAfrica as a world supplier. The most impor-\nlarly for Morocco, are increasing under the\ntant markets are France, Great Britain, and\nECA program.\nItaly. The very wide distribution of phos-\nphate rock is shown in the following table.\n(2) Geographical Distribution of Trade.\nCanned fish was Morocco's second most im-\nTrade with the French Union (chiefly met-\nropolitan France) accounts for well over two-\nportant export in 1948, accounting for 13 per-\nthirds of the total trade of French North\ncent of total Moroccan exports and approxi-\nAfrica. Of the three areas, Morocco has\nmately 4 percent of North African exports in\n1948.\nshown the largest increase in postwar trade\nwith France. Before the war the area as a\nDried figs and dates from Algeria were the\nwhole exported more (about 13 percent more\nfourth most important North African export\nin 1938) to France than it imported; imports\nin 1948, amounting to about 6 percent of Al-\nincreased more sharply after the war than ex-\ngerian exports and slightly less than 4 percent\nports, and by 1947 the area had a 30 percent\nof the total for the whole area.\ntrade deficit with France. The drain on the\nOther export commodities in order of im-\nmetropole continued at about this rate during\nportance by value (1948) for the area as a\n1948. French policy, the overvalued franc,\nwhole were iron ore (7 percent of Tunisia's\nand the world-wide payments difficulties of the\nSECRET\n33\npostwar period have undoubtedly contributed\n(3) Balance of Payments.\nto the concentration of North African trade\nEach of the three countries has always\nwithin the franc area.\nshown a deficit in the balance of payments on\nPrewar trade with the United States was\ncurrent account (which in addition to com-\nnegligible, and exports have never assumed\nmodities trade includes the invisible items of\nsignificant proportions. Imports, on the other\nprofit remittances, bank charges, shipping\nhand, increased spectacularly after the war to\ncosts, interest on investments, loans and the\nsatisfy deferred requirements for manufac-\npublic debt, and tourist payments), made pos-\ntured goods, the US accounting for about a\nsible by contributions from the French budget,\nfourth of each area's total imports in 1946.\nby loans guaranteed by the French Govern-\nShortage of dollar exchange and the increased\nment, and by private investment from France.\navailability of capital and consumer goods\nThe deficit increased during the latter part of\nfrom France caused a falling off of imports\nWorld War II with heavy importing for the\nfrom the dollar area in 1947 and 1948. In\nmilitary occupation and with decreased ex-\n1948, however, the value of US exports to\nporting caused by droughts and war disrup-\nFrench North Africa was $72 million, or al-\ntions. In the postwar years the deficit has\nmost seven times the value of US imports\ngrown rapidly.\nfrom French North Africa. Machinery and\nComplete figures for the international pay-\nsteel mill products accounted for 40 percent\nments situation of French North Africa are\nof the total, grain (to Algeria) 21 percent, coal\nnot available. Trade in commodities accounts\nand petroleum 16 percent, and textiles\nform the greatest part of the deficit. The\n(chiefly cotton fabrics) 7 percent. US imports\nnext most important item of foreign exchange\nfrom French North Africa amounting to $10.7\nexpenditure is interest payments on invest-\nmillion consisted of olive oil (principally from\nments and loans. Tourism is also a net for-\nMorocco) 35 percent; iron ore (mainly from\neign exchange expenditure, for the money\nAlgeria) 23 percent; cork (about two-thirds\nspent by wealthy natives who periodically de-\nfrom Algeria) 17 percent. Although most of\npart for cooler lands is not entirely offset by\nthe North African iron ore went to the UK,\nforeign tourists. Other negative balances are\nFrench North Africa exported to the US\nshipping charges, primarily to France, and\n470,272 long tons, or 7.7 percent of US total\npremiums to France for several kinds of in-\nimports of iron ore in 1948. North African\nsurance, to the US for fire, to Switzerland for\ncork accounted for 15 percent of the total\naccident, and to the UK for marine insurance.\nvalue of US imports of cork in 1948. Efforts\nThe only net receipt of foreign exchange on\nare being made under the ECA program to in-\ncurrent account in French North Africa is a\ncrease exports to the US and to curb dollar\nnegligible one, wages sent home by the 100,000\nimports, SO that by 1952 the area hopes to\nAlgerians and the Moroccans working in\nbalance its dollar account.\nFrance.\nFrench North African trade with the UK\nA reduction in inflow of foreign exchange\nhas traditionally provided the French Union\nduring recent years has been caused by de-\nwith net earnings of sterling. In 1947, for\ncreased exports as a result of grain and olive\nexample, the UK was the market for 12 per-\ncrop failures brought on by the drought years\ncent of Tunisia's exports, 7 percent of Moroc-\nof 1943 through 1945, and by postwar infla-\nco's exports and 4 percent of Algeria's exports.\ntionary forces which have raised prices of ex-\nPhosphate rock from Morocco and Tunisia ac-\nport products above world market prices. In\ncounted for 88 percent of the UK's imports of\naddition to a reduction in foreign exchange\nphosphate from all sources in 1947 and 1948.\nincome, the deficit has been enlarged by ex-\nNorth African iron ore exports to the UK were\ntraordinary expenditures on imports used in\nof even greater value and represented 25 per-\nreconstruction and by higher world prices\ncent of the UK's total iron ore imports for\n(which affect adversely all countries with an\n1947 and 1948.\nimport surplus).\n34\nSECRET\nTwo trends have been important in the post-\never, are initiated in Paris and are in line with\nwar balance of payments on current accounts.\nthe French Government's devaluation poli-\nOne is heavy dollar expenditures and the other\ncies. At the time of each successive devalu-\nis increasing trade in the French franc. The\nation it was hoped that no substantial increase\nformer is attributable to purchases of US man-\nin the cost of living would result and prices\nufactured goods, a large portion of which has\nwould remain steady, in order that more goods\nbeen financed by ECA aid; the latter can be\ncould be sold to the hard currency countries.\nlargely accounted for by the French North\nThe cost of living is still increasing, however,\nAfrican export price situation. Commodities\nand wages and prices are rising. Following\nout-priced in world markets (grains, fruits,\neach devaluation, export prices have gener-\nwines, and minerals such as manganese) can\nally aligned themselves with the new rates of\nbe sold in France, which is ready and willing\nexchange, and increased exporting to coun-\nto pay above world prices for goods that can\ntries other than France has been largely\nbe purchased with francs. Not only does in-\nthwarted.\ncreased trade with its overseas territories fit\n(4) ECA Aid.\nin with the French conception of overseas\nterritorial functions, but also exports of metro-\nHeavy postwar imports have been made pos-\npolitan France have tended since World War\nsible in large part by reallocations to French\nI to be too highly priced for sale in world mar-\nNorth Africa of US aid to France. Of the $1.3\nkets. Hence, overseas territorial trade has\nbillion of ECA shipments realized to France\nappeared to the French to be doubly advan-\nand its overseas territories as of 31 January\ntageous. The combined trends of increased\n1950, $96 million, or 7.1 percent of the total,\ntrade with France and increased imports from\nhave been shipped to French North Africa.\nthe US permitted foreign exchange other than\nThis value is almost 50 percent greater than\ndollars and French francs to constitute but a\nthe value of shipments to the other French\nsmall part of the postwar international cur-\noverseas territories combined. It now appears\nrency transactions in French North Africa\nthat the program for overseas territories will\nuntil 1948, when increasing receipts of sterling\nrequire some 20 percent of all ECA dollars\ndeveloped from the reviving export trade to\navailable to France through the fiscal year\n1951-52.\nthe UK.\nThe governments of the three territories\nA breakdown of aid to each of the three\nhave taken similar measures to combat the\ncountries is not available, but statistics on the\npayments problem. Foreign commerce, other\nkinds of commodities shipped to the area as a\nthan with France and the French overseas ter-\nwhole are indicated in the following chart.\nritories, has been subject to licensing since the\nThat the lion's share is in fuels and equip-\nbeginning of World War II. Foreign currency\nment indicates a trend, however small, toward\nis allocated, in principle, only for importation\nindustrialization.\nof goods essential to the economy and unob-\nIn addition to the outright allocation of\ntainable in France or its possessions. A con-\nECA funds, a total of 19,730 million francs in\nsiderable quantity of exchange, however, en-\ncounterpart funds were loaned by France to\nters and leaves the countries through smug-\nFrench North Africa in 1948-49 (Algeria\ngling operations, especially to Tangier, where\n11,132, Morocco 3,848, and Tunisia 4,750 mil-\nthere is a free market for all currencies.\nlion francs). These funds are, for the most\nThe devaluations of the franc in December\npart, expended for equipment and materials\n1945, January 1948, and September 1949 tem-\nused in public works, such as irrigation and\nporarily helped bring prices more nearly into\npower projects and port and road construc-\nline with world markets. Such changes, how-\ntion.\nSECRET\n35\nECA AID TO FRENCH NORTH AFRICA-as of 31 January 1950\nCoal and related fuels\n$8,577,000\nOther industrial supplies\n$11,064,000\nTotal food and agricultural\n$13,549,000\nOcean freight\n$16,126,000\nCrude oil and petroleum products\n$23,348,000\nEquipment\n$23,697,000\nTOTAL $96,361,000 = 7.1% of US Aid to France\nWE 1150\nSECRET\nCHAPTER III\nFOREIGN AFFAIRS\n1. Genesis of Present Foreign Policies.\npended just prior to the second World War.\nBecause Morocco and Tunisia are French\nDiscussions are once more in progress, but\nprotectorates and Algeria is an integral part\non a lower level, not only in regard to extra-\nof the French Republic, the foreign affairs of\nterritorial but also in respect to certain com-\nFrench North Africa are directed by the Quai\nmercial rights.\nThe French have at times seemed on the\nd'Orsay.\nThe French have become SO accustomed to\npoint of submitting the question of US capitu-\nconducting the diplomatic business of these\nlatory rights to the International Court of\nJustice. Should the US be divested of these\nstates that they regard the activities of the\nUnited Nations involving Tunisia, Algeria, and\nrights, the Sultan would lose one of the last\nMorocco as invasions of French prerogatives.\nevidences which support Morocco's claim to\nFrench foreign policy directives are imple-\nstatus as an international personality.\nmented, and negotiations with foreign diplo-\nUnder the terms of a tripartite agreement\nmatic representatives are conducted by the\nbetween US, UK, and France, US civil and\nResident Generals of the Tunisian and Moroc-\nmilitary aircraft are permitted to overfly\ncan protectorates, in their capacities as For-\nFrench North Africa and land at designated\neign Ministers for the Bey and Sultan, and by\nairfields in stipulated numbers.\nthe Governor General of Algeria.\n3. Significant International Issues.\n2. Significant Relations with Other Nations.\nAlgeria is included in the North Atlantic\nThe most-favored-nation treaties between\nTreaty as an integral part of France; Morocco\nthe Sultan of Morocco and the US, signed in\nand Tunisia, being protectorates, are not in-\n1787 and 1836 and reaffirmed by the Act of\ncluded. There can be little doubt, however,\nAlgeciras in 1906, gave the US extraterritorial,\nthat any substantial increment of US arms to\nor capitulatory, rights. Under them US citi-\nthe French Army will further strengthen\nzens have broad economic rights. Moreover,\nFrench control of the whole of French North\nthey and their proteges are subject only to\nAfrica.\nUS law enforced by the Consular Courts at\nNative politicians are fully aware of this and\nTangier and Casablanca.\nhave expressed the hope that US arms will not\nIn 1871 the Sultan, fearing even then that\nbe employed by the French against native na-\nhis empire was on the point of being dismem-\ntionalist movements. Despite these appre-\nbered by the European powers, asked the US\nhensions, native opinion continues to be sym-\nto establish a protectorate in his country. The\npathetic toward US policies in general and to\nUS declined, but is today the only foreign\nthe over-all intent of the North Atlantic\npower that maintains a diplomatic mission\nTreaty.\n(its Tangier legation) accredited to the\nAlthough French North Africa is not di-\nSultan.\nrectly represented in the United Nations, vari-\nFranco-American relations in this area have\nous nationalist leaders have been attempting\nbeen in frequent dispute despite the qualified\nto stimulate UN interest in the social and eco-\nrecognition of the French protectorate by the\nnomic conditions existing under the French\nUS in 1917. The French would like to termi-\nprotectorate administrations of Morocco and\nnate US extraterritorial rights, and negotia-\nTunisia. Their hope is that an investigating\ntions having that end in view were suspended\ncommittee of the UN would make a report that\nwhen the US entered the first World War.\nwould be favorable to the cause of native na-\nSubsequently renewed, they were again sus-\ntionalism.\nSECRET\n37\nSECRET\nCHAPTER IV\nMILITARY SITUATION\n1. Genesis of Present Military Policies.\n90,000 French troops were in the whole area.\nUnder the Protectorate Treaties which de-\nThere is every indication that this figure will\nbe maintained, pending further clarification of\ntermine French military policy in Tunisia and\nthe situation in Indochina. The distribution\nMorocco, the native rulers may not maintain\nof ground forces is approximately as follows:\nregular military establishments. Internal se-\nMorocco, 40,000; Algeria, 40,000; Tunisia,\ncurity in both protectorates, as in Algeria, is\n10,000. The Fezzan is garrisoned by several\na responsibility of the French Army, approxi-\nhundred men, chiefly located in and around\nmately twenty percent of which is usually dis-\nSebha, capital of the region.\nposed in French North Africa. A number of\nFrench Air Force planes sufficient for internal\n(1) Composition and Morale.\nsecurity purposes is assigned to the area; but\nArmy units are made up of regulars, volun-\nthey would be valueless against invasion. The\nteers, and French and Algerian conscripts.\nFrench Navy maintains three bases in North\n(There is no compulsory military service in\nAfrica: Bizerte, Casablanca, and Mers-el-\nthe protectorates of Tunisia and Morocco.)\nKebir (Oran). The last is being developed\nThe Berber segments of the populations pro-\nand may well become the main operating base\nduce good soldiers; the famed \"Goumiers\" are\nof the French Navy in North Africa.\namong the world's best fighting men. Com-\nLarge-scale military operations by the\ning from the rural tribes, they fought magnifi-\nFrench in North Africa would be handicapped\ncently under Abd-el-Krim, who led them in\nlogistically by the absence of industrial and\nrebellion against the French and Spanish two\nmanufacturing plants, although local repair\ndecades ago, and again (83,000 strong) under\nfacilities are adequate for normal peacetime\nFrench officers in World War II. Some doubt\nrequirements.\nexists, however, as to the loyalty of these na-\ntive troops in the event of a large-scale na-\n2. Strength and Disposition of the Armed\ntionalist uprising. Inasmuch as they consti-\nForces.\ntute 37 percent of the French Army in North\na. Army.\nAfrica, defection on their part might seriously\nAfter the cessation of hostilities in 1945, the\ncompromise French security.\nFrench gradually increased their effective\nConsiderable improvement has recently\nmilitary strength in North Africa until by the\nbeen noted in the morale of French army offi-\nend of 1947 approximately 125,000 men were\ncers in North Africa, which has, in turn,\nin the area. This force, about one-fifth of the\ngreatly improved the effectiveness of the\nFrench Army, was deemed adequate to meet\nground forces. Despite a sharp reduction in\nany contingency short of concerted, wide-\npersonnel since 1947, the ground forces have\nspread, native rebellion.\nbeen transformed into an effective military\nIn the past two years, revolts in Madagascar\nmachine. The credit for this metamorphosis\nand Indochina and budgetary considerations\nis due to the able leadership of General Juin,\nhave obliged France to withdraw troops from\nwhose work has been assisted by the arrival\nNorth Africa. In December 1948, General\nof many experienced regular soldiers now be-\nJuin, Commander in Chief of all Armed Forces\ning rotated from Indochina.\nin North Africa, set 104,000 men as the mini-\nA General Staff, originally planned by and\nmum number required for the maintenance\nintended for the use of the late General Le-\nof order. Nevertheless, by 1 March 1950 only\nclerc, has been established in Algiers. Its\nSECRET\n39\n40\nSECRET\nsize, its scope, and the high rank of its mem-\nautey. The naval base at Mers-el-Kebir is\nbers indicate that a new and important phase\nundergoing reconstruction and extension de-\nof discussions on the strategic defense of the\nsigned to make it the most completely\narea has begun. This development suggests\nequipped French naval base in Africa and to\nthat General Juin may be compelled to devote\nserve as the southern terminus of the France-\nmore of his efforts to his duties as Commander\nNorth Africa lifeline in the event of an emer-\nin Chief, and to relinquish some of his political\ngency. The shore establishments have repair\nresponsibilities as Resident General of\nfacilities which are employed by units of the\nMorocco.\nFrench Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets.\n(2) The Native Military Academy.\nA new development is underway at Arzew,\nA military academy for natives, known as\nnear Oran, where the French have established\nDar El Beida (White House), was established\na joint amphibious training center. The arti-\nat Meknes, Morocco, in 1919 by Marshal\nficial harbor, which is not a commercial port,\nLyautey. Its organization was entrusted to\nserves also as a submarine and seaplane base.\nthe capable hands of General Juin, then a cap-\nThis site was selected outside metropolitan\ntain; General Leclerc, then a lieutenant, was\nFrance for strategic reasons.\namong the school's earliest instructors.\nc. Air Force.\nLyautey's objective was to provide basic civil\nBecause of its favorable climate and geo-\neducation and training in a military atmos-\ngraphic situation, Morocco is the principal\nphere for sons of prominent native families.\nbasic training area for the entire French Air\nStudents were to be trained for important\nForce, as well as the concentration area for\nposts in the Sherifian Government (Makh-\nthe operational units assigned for service in\nzen). Lyautey believed that the nomadic and\nNorth Africa. The French Air Force has its\nwarlike Berbers of the interior would be more\nfighter training school at Meknes. While the\neffective friends for France than would the\nNorth African air command is totally inade-\ntimid and sedentary Arabs of the littoral. The\nquate for large military operations, and is\nschool has, therefore, graduated only four\nseverely handicapped by dwindling and obso-\nnon-Berbers since its foundation. The ability\nlescent materiel, it is able to carry out such\nwhich the school's graduates have demon-\nlight bombing, patrol, reconnaissance, and\nstrated in various civil and military posts has\nliaison activities as may be required to con-\njustified Lyautey's expectations.\ntrol the natives.\nDar El Beida can accommodate about a\nBomber units are composed of old US,\nhundred students; at present slightly more\nFrench, and British types. The fighter force\nthan eighty are in attendance. Graduates\nconsists of British and US World War II air-\nare eligible on equal terms with French stu-\ncraft; the types most serviceable and in con-\ndents for admission to French military\nstant use are: Mosquitoes, Thunderbolts, Air-\nschools. Of the seventeen students graduat-\ncobras, and Spitfires. Total aircraft in North\ning in June 1949, eight applied for admission\nAfrica number 341, assigned as follows:\nto the French Military Academy at Coëtqui-\nFrench Air Force tactical units 137, trainers\ndan, in Brittany.\n142, naval air units 30, naval trainers 32.\nb. Navy.\nPresent personnel, including 200 pilots, con-\nWhile the French Navy maintains a few\nsists of 450 officers and 3,500 other ranks.\nminor ships on permanent duty in North Afri-\nIn this area there are 139 existing airfields:\ncan waters, the area's proximity to southern\n48 in French Morocco, 71 in Algeria, and 20 in\nFrance renders it valuable for naval logistic\nTunisia. Most of them are small, natural-\nsupport and as an alternate principal base\nsurfaced fields which are used infrequently.\narea for the French fleet. In addition to the\nThirteen of the French Moroccan fields are\nnaval bases at Bizerte, Casablanca, and Mers-\nconsidered important to military operations.\nel-Kebir, naval air stations are operated at\nIn this group, Casablanca/Cazes, Khouribga,\nAgadir, Khouribga, Arzew, Lartigue and Ka-\nMarrakech, and Rabat/Salé airfields are suit-\nrouba, and jointly with the US at Port Ly-\nable for limited medium bomber operations.\nSECRET\nSECRET\n41\nAgadir/Ben Sergao, Meknes, and Port Lyautey\n3. War Potential.\nare classified as light bomber fields. With\na. Manpower.\nminor improvements, five others could be used\nBecause Algeria is part of metropolitan\nby light bombers.\nFrance, its male population is subject to con-\nAlgeria has twenty airfields of military sig-\nscription under the laws that require military\nnificance, including: Algiers/Maison Blanche,\ntraining throughout the Republic. Tunisia\nsuitable for medium bomber operations;\nand Morocco, on the other hand, being pro-\nOran/La Senia, capable of limited medium\ntectorates, are not subject to this law. In\nbomber use after runway repair; Blida and\nthese areas, the French rely on voluntary en-\nTafaraoui, for light bombers (nine other air-\nlistment, chiefly from nomadic tribesmen, to\nfields have runways suitable for light bombers,\nfill the ranks of native units of the French\nbut completely lack base facilities); and seven\nArmy.\nfields requiring runway repairs and provision\nAlthough there are over one million males of\nof base facilities to accommodate light\nmilitary age in Algeria fit for some kind of\nbombers.\nmilitary service, conscription in Algeria aver-\nTunis/El Aouina and Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed\nages only 30,000 a year. Voluntary enlist-\nments on an annual basis from the protecto-\nairfields, suitable for light bomber operations,\nare the best airfields in Tunisia. The runway\nrates and from Algeria average far less. Vol-\nat Kairouan/Hami is suitable for light bomb-\nunteers are, for the most part, professional\ners, but has no base facilities. Three other\nsoldiers interested in adventure, plunder, and\nfields show possibilities for light bomber oper-\npensions.\nations, but runway repairs and complete in-\nAt present there is a general lack of equip-\nstallation of field facilities would be required.\nment and training facilities in the area.\nb. Industry and Natural Resources.\nThe French and US Air Forces are con-\nstructing jointly a large airfield in Morocco\nLocal industry cannot support even the\nat Nouaseur, fifteen miles south of Casa-\npresent relatively small military forces; nor is\nblanca. This project is expected to be com-\nthis situation likely to be remedied in the im-\npleted in 1951, providing space and facilities\nmediate future, for lack of essential fuels,\nfor future US maintenance and repair require-\nequipment, and skilled labor.\nments similar to the US Naval Air Activity in-\nFood production is little more than adequate\nstallations at Port Lyautey.\nto meet the normal peacetime requirements\nof the native population, and would be insuffi-\nd. Police and Security Forces.\ncient to supply the needs of a military force.\nAlthough uranium ores are reported, it is\nRural Morocco, northern Algeria, and Tu-\nbelieved that the quantity available is insig-\nnisia are policed by units of the Gendarmerie\nnificant. Some monazite (a source of thor-\nNationale and the Garde Républicaine (some-\nium) has been reported. (See Chapter II,\ntimes referred to as the Garde Mobile), which\nMineral Resources.)\nare under the direction of the French Ministry\nc. Science.\nof the Interior, but controlled in French North\nAfrica by the Residents General of Morocco\nThere are no industrial plants or equipment\nand practically no research facilities suitable\nand Tunisia and the Governor General of Al-\nfor the manufacture of atomic weapons.\ngeria. Although para-military in organiza-\nA guided missile and rocket testing range\ntion, training, and discipline, these three or-\nand experimental station is located at Colomb\nganizations are distinct from the military\nBéchar (Algeria). The range has limited in-\nforces in North Africa. The cities maintain\nstrumentation; it will be completed in 1952.\ntheir own police departments. The vast\nAnother testing range located at Abadla is in\nsouthern territories, which embrace more\nthe initial project stage.\nthan half of Algeria, and the whole of the Fez-\nA field testing station, operated by the\nzan, remain under direct military control.\nFrench Army, for biological and chemical war-\n42\nSECRET\nfare experiments is located at Beni-Ounif, near\ntoral. It is generally paralleled by a single-\nthe oasis town of Figuig (Algeria). The\ntrack steam and electric railroad system.\nPasteur Institutes in North Africa are not be-\nSince the road and the railroad cross moun-\nlieved to be engaged in biological warfare re-\ntains, many rivers and ravines, traffic can be\nsearch.\neasily interrupted by bombing the numerous\ntunnels, passes, and bridges which are essen-\n4. Military Intentions and Capabilities.\ntial to the operation of the systems. Both the\nThe military resources of this area in an\nroads and railroads are scarcely adequate for\nemergency could be placed under the complete\nnormal peacetime traffic and would have to be\ncontrol of the French national defense estab-\nsubstantially strengthened to sustain large-\nlishment. The 90,000 troops in the area are\nscale military operations. The north-south\nbarely sufficient to maintain internal order,\nroad systems which communicate with the in-\nand could not repel a determined invasion by\nterior are, to a large extent, primitive.\na modern attacking force.\nThe internal logistic situation is approxi-\nIn the event of another invasion the move-\nmately what it was at the end of World War\nment of supplies would be dominantly a ma-\nII. A single east-west highway runs along\nrine problem. Port facilities are open to both\nthe Mediterranean and skirts the Atlantic lit-\nsea and air attack.\nSECRET\nCHAPTER V\nSTRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING US SECURITY\nFrench North Africa is strategically im-\nare capable of further development in a rela-\nportant to the United States because of its\ntively short period of time.\ngeographic location in relation to the Eura-\nSo long as France remains amenable to US\nsian land mass. It is essential to the security\npolicy, and so long as Algeria, Tunisia, and\ninterests of the United States that this area\nMorocco remain peaceful and under French\nbe denied to the USSR in that it could serve\ncontrol, US security is enhanced offensively\nas a base from which military operations could\nand defensively. Political instability in\nbe launched onto the European Continent and\nFrance, the strain on French manpower and\nas a buffer area to a power in possession of the\nfinance incident to the war in Indochina, the\ncontinent. Control of the area thus would be\npersistent but as yet ineffective nationalist\nvital to control of the western Mediterranean\nclaims for independence, and Communist ac-\nand its Atlantic approaches. Although lack-\ntivities within the area are all matters which\ning in industrial facilities of any consequence,\naffect French policy but they are not likely,\nFrench North Africa presently possesses sub-\nsingly or collectively, to overthrow French rule\nstantial air, naval, and ground facilities which\nin North Africa.\nSECRET\n43\nSECRET\nCHAPTER VI\nFUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING US SECURITY\nFuture developments in French North\nfor Communist doctrine also precludes the pos-\nAfrica affecting US security depend almost\nsibility that Communism will come to power\nwholly upon the conditions which will pre-\nin these areas in the foreseeable future. It is\nvail in metropolitan France and upon the will\nfar more likely, on the other hand, that France\nof the French Government to maintain the\nwill continue in a somewhat slow and halting\nstatus quo in the continent of Africa. So long\nmanner to foster the industrial development\nas France is not forced into the role of a\nof the region and to yield gradually and as-\nSoviet Satellite and so long as US policy and\ntutely to the pressures exerted by the native\nFrench policy are compatible, no change will\npopulation for better living conditions, equal-\ntake place in the present situation. The na-\nity of opportunity, and finally, for more po-\ntives of French North Africa are politically so\nlitical power.\ndivided and apathetic as to prevent for a con-\nIt is probable that France will make every\nsiderable time the native nationalist move-\neffort to maintain its position in French North\nments from gaining sufficient electoral or mili-\nAfrica and that, unless France itself is com-\ntary power to alter the situation. The same\nmunized, conditions in French North Africa\ngeneral condition plus the antipathy of Islam\nwill not adversely affect US security.\n45\nSECRET\nCHAPTER VII\nTHE FEZZAN\nAny consideration of French North Africa\nToubou, a black race speaking a Sudanese dia-\nmust include mention of the little-known\nlect, completely Islamized and renowned as\nFezzan, a vast topographic depression com-\ncameleers.\nparable in size to France itself, situated in\nThe population of the Fezzan totals 60,000,\nsouthwest Libya, and separated from the\nof which about one-third is sedentary and two-\nMediterranean to the north by Tripolitania.\nthirds nomadic or semi-nomadic. The seden-\nReaching from the southern part of Tunisia\ntary Fezzanese live in the valleys and on the\nsoutheast to the mountains of the Tibesti\nescarpments. The oases produce principally\nrange, the Fezzan skirts southern Algeria to\ndates and grain.\nthe west, French West and Equatorial Africa\nto the south, and invades the Libyan Desert to\n2. French Administration.\nthe east. Before 1942, the Fezzan was part\nAfter its occupation by the French, the ad-\nof the Italian-controlled southern military\nministration of the Fezzan was entrusted\nzone of Libya. During the winter of 1942-43,\nto the Government General of Algeria by a\nGeneral (then Colonel) Leclerc's Free French\ndecree of 1 September 1943 issued by General\ntroops occupied this territory in the course of\nde Gaulle's French Committee of National Lib-\ntheir famous forced march from Pointe Noire\neration. A senior officer of the Native Affairs\nin French Equatorial Africa, up the Congo,\nService of Algeria was named Military Gover-\nand overland around Lake Tchad to El Gatrun\nnor of the Territory, provided with a few hun-\nin southern Fezzan to join forces with Gen-\ndred troops, and established at Sebha.\neral Montgomery's Eighth Army on the Mar-\neth Line in Tunisia.\nFor administrative purposes the Fezzan has\nbeen divided by the French into three areas:\n1. The Land and People.\n(1) the Fezzan proper, composed of the sub-\nThe territory is composed of several chains\ndivisions of Brach, Sebha, and Murzuch, gov-\nof permanently watered oases scattered along\nerned by a Military Governor directly respon-\nfour relatively fertile valleys. These lie like\nsible to and deriving authority from Paris;\nthe spread-open fingers of a hand, the palm of\n(2) the regions of Serdeles and Gat, subject\nwhich is on Sebha, the capital, in what is\nto the control of the military commandant\notherwise a wilderness of desert and rocky\nof the Southern Territories of Algeria; and\nridges. These luxuriant oases contrast strik-\n(3) the region of Gadames, under the author-\ningly with the surrounding desert which is\nity of the Commanding General of the South-\nboth desolate and forbidding.\nern Territory of Tunisia.\nThe Fezzan is one of the principal caravan\nIn the hope of retaining the Fezzan, the\ncrossroads and camel train supply stations for\nFrench have expended a considerable amount\nthe peoples of the Sahara. It is supplied with\nof effort and some money upon its economic\n7,000 camels, 16,000 sheep and goats, and more\nimprovement and cultural advancement, in-\nthan 6,000 donkeys.\ncluding small-scale land reform, local tax ex-\nThe area is a zone of contact for three prin-\nemptions, water distribution and irrigation\ncipal nomadic groups: (1) from the north and\nmodernization, seed loans, sanitary and medi-\nnortheast, the Arabized tribes, mostly of Ber-\ncal attention, and the initiation of modern\nber origin; (2) from the west, the Touareg,\neducational facilities. French schools in the\npicturesque, blue-veiled, camel-borne warriors\nregion can accommodate 500 children and\nof the desert; and (3) from the south, the\nKhattab (religious) schools, 2,000.\nSECRET\n47\n48\n3. Trade.\nfrom nowhere to nowhere, with a date-and-\ncamel economy,\" and as a place without in-\nUnder French control, Fezzanese trade has\nterest to the world at large. The French,\nbeen diverted from the former centers of\nhowever, view the matter differently. They\nTripoli and Misurata to Tunisia, Algeria, and\nconsider the Fezzan to be strategically impor-\nthe French Sudan. Factors contributing to\ntant to France as a relay point for air traffic\nthis change include the construction of a road\nbetween France, central Africa, and Madagas-\nto Tunisia, the use of the Algerian franc\ncar, and politically important as a means of\n(which is at par with the French franc) as\nconsolidating the frontiers of French North,\nlegal tender, foreign exchange controls, im-\nWest, and Equatorial Africa. Moreover, they\nport and export licensing requirements, and\nhave expended considerable effort in search\nrationing of almost all imported goods.\nof petroleum.\nThe principal commodities with which the\nThe French have been forced, however, to\nFezzanese traders and farmers are concerned\nmodify their plans in accordance with the re-\nare dates, winter wheat, barley, millet, sor-\ncent resolution of the United Nations General\nghum, and tobacco. Dates are the chief ex-\nAssembly to establish an independent and\nport, while green tea, coffee, sugar, cotton\nsovereign Libya by 1952. In order to main-\ngoods, fats, and oils are the leading imports.\ntain a maximum foothold in the area, there-\nFrom 1943 through 1947 the foreign trade,\nfore, the French in February 1950 established\nunder French occupation and administration,\nthe framework of a semi-autonomous adminis-\nincreased in value, but the balance of trade\ntration under Bey Ahmed Seif en Naceur, chief\nbecame even more unfavorable.\nof the local Ouled Sliman tribe. This action,\nas well as that of the British in establishing\n(in French francs)\nquasi-autonomy in Cyrenaica, has been a\n1944\n1947\nsource of concern to the United Nations Com-\nTotal imports\n50,368,000\n94,658,000\nmissioner for Libya, who is charged with as-\nTotal exports\n27,135,000\n38,065,000\nsisting in the formation of an independent\nstate. The High Commissioner feared that\nThe total annual import-export trade for the\nthe hasty establishment of autonomous re-\nperiod from 1944 to the second quarter of\ngimes under the aegis of the French and the\n1948 never exceeded two thousand tons. Cus-\nBritish might intensify tribal animosities and\ntoms barriers are non-existent.\njeopardize the ultimate creation of a unified\n4. Future Status.\nLibyan state. When Libya acquires state-\nhood, it is probable that France will endeavor\nThe Fezzan is frequently referred to dis-\nto maintain its predominant influence in the\nparagingly as \"that distant spot on the way\nFezzan.\nSECRET\nAPPENDIX A\nTERRAIN AND CLIMATE\n1. General.\n2. Terrain.\nFrench North Africa lies between Libya on\na. Coastal Lowlands.\nthe east and Spanish Sahara and the Atlantic\nThe Atlantic coastal lowland is a narrow\nOcean on the west. French West Africa is\nplain that rises gradually eastward to the\nto the south and Spanish Morocco and the\nMediterranean Sea to the north. The total\nMoroccan Meseta and the Atlas ranges. The\nplain is somewhat wider between the Tensift\narea of the three political units of French\nand Umm er Rbia rivers than to the north or\nNorth Africa-Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia-\nsouth.\nis 1,053,248 square miles, and the total popu-\nlation is approximately 20,510,000 (1948).\nThe Sebou Basin in the north is a broad,\nFrench North Africa is divided into four\nU-shaped valley between the Rif and Middle\nprincipal physiographic regions: (1) a discon-\nAtlas ranges. The valley narrows in the east\ntinuous coastal plain, narrow along the west-\nto approximately a mile and a half near Taza,\nern and northern coasts and widening to the\nforming a gap through which pass the main\neast along the coast of Tunisia; (2) the Atlas\nroutes of trade between Morocco and Algeria.\nMountains and associated plateaus and inter-\nEast of the Taza Gap the tributaries of the\nmontane valleys, which extend across the en-\nMoulaya River form another basin that drains\ntire northern section; (3) the Saharan De-\ntoward the Mediterranean.\npression, south of the Anti-Atlas and Saharan\nThere is no continuous Mediterranean plain\nAtlas ranges; and (4) the Ahaggar Massif, in\nin either Algeria or northern Tunisia. The\nsoutheastern Algeria. (See accompanying\ncoast ranges that closely parallel the north-\nmap.)\nern coast jut out into the sea in the form of\nClimatically, French North Africa may be\nrocky headlands, and plains are found only\ndivided into three zones: (1) a narrow zone\nwhere wadis or rivers cut through the moun-\nof Mediterranean Climate in the north; (2)\ntains to the sea. In Algeria, the elongated\na low latitude steppe zone in the central sec-\nvalley of the Chêlif River, which flows south\ntion; and (3) a low latitude desert zone in the\nof and parallel to the coastal range; the Mit-\nsouth.\nidja Sahel, near Algiers; and the plain of Bône\nLand use in French North Africa reflects the\nare the only large coastal plains east of Oran.\nclimate and the relief of the various regions.\nIn northeastern Tunisia, the narrow discon-\nThe coastal lowlands and adjacent terraced\ntinuous coastal plain merges into the broad\nuplands are farm lands. The lower seaward-\ndelta of the Medjerda River. This is the only\nfacing slopes of the coastal mountains are\ndelta area in northwest Africa, although there\neither under cultivation or used for grazing;\nare other areas of alluvium. South along the\nthe higher slopes are forested. In the interior,\nthe steppelands of the High Plateaux region\ncoast from Bon Peninsula to the Libyan border\nand the slopes of the mountains that face it\nis a continuous plain that varies in width\nare used for grazing sheep and goats and for\nfrom 15 to 40 miles. Near Gabes a gap be-\ngrowing alfa grass. The desert south of the\ntween the mountains of northwestern Tunisia\nAnti-Atlas and the Saharan Atlas ranges and\nand the Ksour Mountains provides access to\nin southwestern Tunisia is a region of oasis\nan extensive area of salt marshes and shallow\nagriculture and nomadic sheep herding.\nlakes known as the Shott region.\nSECRET\n49\n50\nSECRET\nb. Atlas Mountains and Associated Pla-\nrier to the north-south movement of people\nteaus and Intermontane Valleys.\nand trade.\nThe Atlas Mountains and associated pla-\nStill farther east the Saharan and Tell At-\nteaus and intermontane valleys extend south-\nlas ranges become higher and converge, unit-\nwest to northeast completely across French\ning in the Aures Massif, a region of bold re-\nNorth Africa from south of Agadir in Morocco\nlief and elevations up to 7,500 feet. Although\nto the Bon Peninsula in northeastern Tunisia.\nthe massif is structurally a part of the Sa-\nThe area is a series of highly complex parallel\nharan Atlas, it is separated from the main\nphysiographic regions.\nrange by the Hodna Depression.\nA southern arc of the Rif Mountains of\nNorthern Algeria is in general a region of\nSpanish Morocco extends into Morocco to the\nenclosed basins and interior drainage. The\nFez-Taza region, where it is separated from\nSeybouse, Chêlif, Soummam, and Rummel are\nthe Middle Atlas range by a synclinal depres-\nthe only wadis that cut through the Tell Atlas\nsion. This depression is drained toward the\nand divert the drainage of small portions of\nwest by the Sebou River and toward the north-\nthe High Plateaux to the Mediterranean. For\neast by a tributary of the Moulaya River. The\nthe most part, drainage from both the Sa-\nmain watershed of Morocco is the Middle At-\nharan and Tell Atlas ranges is toward the cen-\nlas Range, which extends northeastward from\nter of the Plateaux, where the surface water\nthe central part of the High Atlas and forms\ncollects in depressions and forms salt marshes\nthe divide from which the Umm er Rbia and\nand lakes (shotts). The southern slopes of\nSebou rivers flow westward to the Atlantic\nthe Saharan Atlas are drained by wadis that\nand the Moulaya flows northeastward to the\nflow into the desert and disappear in the sandy\nMediterranean. The High Atlas and the Anti-\nwastes.\nAtlas ranges function as watersheds in the\nIn northern Tunisia, the Kroumirie High-\nsouth, but a scarcity of surface water reduces\nland and the Medjerda Mountains paral-\ntheir importance as divides. The Tensift and\nlel the coast; and the Tunisian Dorsal, the\nSus are the most important rivers flowing\neasternmost extension of the Atlas system,\nfrom these ranges. Elevations are in general\nextends across the north-central section of\nhigher in the southwest and lower toward\nthe country, terminating in the Bon Penin-\nthe northeast. From 13,000 feet in the High\nsula. Between the two ranges are the high\nAtlas Range, the elevation declines to about\nplains of northwestern Tunisia. The Med-\n5,000 in eastern Morocco. At the southern\njerda River, which flows south of and parallel\nend of the High Atlas, the Anti-Atlas Range\nto the northern coastal mountains for 150\nseparates the basins of the Sus River and the\nmiles, drains the high plains and the border-\nWadi Draa.\ning mountain slopes.\nThe pattern of parallel ridges and valleys\nThe Ksour Mountains, which have occa-\ncontinues eastward, with the high ranges of\nsional flat-topped summits with elevations of\nMorocco merging into the Tell Atlas, the High\n2,000 feet, parallel the southeastern coast of\nPlateaux, and the Saharan Atlas. The Tell\nTunisia from the vicinity of Medenine to the\nAtlas is a series of disconnected plateaus\nLibyan border. These mountains present a\nalong the coast, between which are long, nar-\nbold escarpment to the east and slope gently\nrow river plains and terraced uplands. These\nto the sandy lowlands in the west.\nplains and uplands are the most fertile part of\nC. Saharan Depression.\nthe Tell region.\nSouth of the Saharan Atlas is a region of\nElevations in the High Plateaux average\nlowland plains and plateaus. The region is\nover 3,500 feet in the western part but de-\nprincipally one of vast sand dunes and lime-\ncrease to 1,375 feet in the Hodna Depression,\nstone hammadas. Elevations range from be-\nat the narrower eastern end. South of the\nlow sea level, in the Shott Region of west-\nPlateaux is the Saharan Atlas, a chain of iso-\ncentral Tunisia, to approximately 3,000 feet.\nlated massifs that rise barely 400 feet above\nThe lowland plains of west-central Tunisia\nthe level of the Plateaux and present no bar-\nand southern Algeria are enclosed basins with\nSECRET\n51\ninterior drainage. The increase in elevation\nslopes of the coast ranges lie within the Medi-\ntoward the margin is more rapid toward the\nterranean climatic zone. Olive and evergreen\nAtlas Mountains in the north than toward\noak trees are typical vegetation. Climatic\nthe plateaus in the south and east and the\nconditions may vary locally, but there is gen-\nhighlands to the west.\neral conformity throughout the region.\nThe Plateau of Tademait, rising above the\nOver most of the area, average annual rain-\ndepression between the Ahaggar Massif and\nfall ranges between 16 and 32 inches. The\nthe Western Erg, divides the plain into two\nKroumirie Highlands in northwestern Tu-\nbasins. The eastern basin includes south-\nnisia, however, receive as much as 60 inches\nwestern and central Tunisia and east-central\nof rain annually, whereas in the area west\nAlgeria. The western basin is a part of the\nof Oran, which lies in the rainshadow of the\ngreat depression of the western Sahara. In-\nIberian Peninsula and the Rif Mountains, the\ntermittent streams flow from the margins to\naverage annual rainfall is only 8 inches. Most\nthe centers of these basins, where salt marshes\nof the rain in the region is the result of the\nand lakes are formed during the rainy season.\nmovement of low-pressure areas from west to\nd. Ahaggar Massif.\neast through the Mediterranean in winter.\nThe Ahaggar Massif, in the southernmost\nIn general, the average annual precipitation\npart of Algeria, is an extremely rugged,\ndecreases southward along the Atlantic coast\nmountainous highland surrounded by a belt\nof Morocco and the Mediterranean coast of\nof sandstone plateaus. Elevations range up\neastern Tunisia, and inland from all coastal\nto 10,000 feet in the mountains, but the sur-\nregions.\nrounding plateaus are mostly below 5,000 feet.\nAlthough temperatures are relatively uni-\nBoth the Ahaggar and the surrounding pla-\nform throughout the area, they are higher in\nteaus are deeply trenched by wadis. Although\nsummer and lower in winter along the Medi-\na few of the streams in the higher areas are\nterranean coast than along the Atlantic.\nperennial, wadis flowing from the highlands\nMean temperatures for the warmest month\ninto the desert during the rainy season pro-\nvary from 67° to 77° along the Atlantic coast\nvide the principal drainage.\nand from 75° to 82° along the Mediterranean.\nThe mean temperature for the coldest month\n3. Climate.\nvaries from 54° to 56° along the Atlantic and\nThe three climatic types of French North\nfrom 50° to 54° along the Mediterranean. On\nAfrica are differentiated on the basis of win-\nboth coasts temperatures occasionally drop to\nter climate. The distinguishing features of\nfreezing, and snow sometimes falls. Along\nthe Mediterranean type of climate are cool,\nthe Mediterranean, temperatures in general\nwet winters, with the mean temperature of\nincrease from west to east. In the Atlantic\nthe coldest month between 45° and 65° F., and\ncoastal region, the cool Canaries current mod-\nhot, dry summers. The characteristics of a\nifies the influence of latitude, which normally\nLow Latitude Steppe Climate are cool winters\ncauses an increase in temperature toward the\nand hot summers, with a mean annual tem-\nEquator.\nperature of over 64°, low relative humidity,\nThe seaward slopes of the mountains rising\nand a marked diurnal range of temperature.\nbehind the coastal lowlands have a modified\nMost of the rain falls during a short period\nMediterranean climate. Temperatures are\nin the spring. The Low Latitude Desert Cli-\nlower in winter; average annual precipita-\nmate has a lower average annual rainfall than\ntion is higher; snow falls more often and\nthe steppe, rains occur more irregularly, the\nremains on the ground longer; and there is\naverage annual temperature is higher, and\na greater likelihood of summer rainfall.\nthe diurnal range of temperature is much\nb. Low Latitude Steppe Climate.\ngreater.\nThe steppe zone includes the High Plateaux\na. Mediterranean Climate.\nand bordering mountains, the coastal low-\nThe coastal plains of Algeria, northern Mo-\nlands in Morocco south of approximately\nrocco, and northern Tunisia and the seaward\n31° N., and in Tunisia south of 36° N., and\nSECRET\n52\nwest-central Tunisia. The Atlas Mountains\nnial vegetation, although an ephemeral plant\nto the north and west partially exclude from\ngrowth appears for a short time after a rain.\nthe Plateaux the influence of both the Medi-\nPrecipitation averages less than 8 inches in\nterranean and the Atlantic, and the Saharan\nthe northern portion of the desert, and in the\nAtlas range on the south modifies the influ-\nsouthern portion years may pass without\nence of the desert. Typical vegetation of the\nrain. Life, other than a nomadic existence,\nLow Latitude Steppe is alfa grass in the north\ncan be maintained only in the scattered oases\nand xerophytic shrubs in the extreme south.\nand along wadi beds in which the water table\nAverage annual precipitation ranges from\nis near the surface.\n16 inches in the north to 8 inches at the foot\nNearly all of the desert region is included\nof the Saharan Atlas and in the southern\nwithin the area having an average annual\ncoastal regions of Morocco and Tunisia. Along\ntemperature of at least 79°; in much of the\nthese coasts the rainfall regime is similar to\narea the average is 86°. Mean values are im-\nthat in the Mediterranean climatic zone, with\nportant only in obtaining a general picture,\nwinter maximum and June-to-September\nfor while the days are extremely hot, the\ndrought. Inland from the coastal regions,\nnights are nearly always cool.\nthe regime changes rapidly to that of the\nIn the Ahaggar, extreme temperatures OC-\nPlateaux, where the maximum rainfall is in\ncur both in the summer and in the short win-\nthe spring. Thunderstorms occasionally OC-\nter season, a minimum of 19° having been\ncur in summer, and some rain and snow fall\nrecorded at Ft. Laperrine, at 4,429 feet eleva-\nduring the winter. On the steppe both the\ntion. Precipitation is extremely unpredict-\nseasonal distribution and the total amount of\nable, both as to quantity and the season in\nprecipitation fluctuate greatly from year to\nwhich it may occur. Snow falls quite often\nyear.\nat elevations above 8,000 feet, but it never re-\nTemperatures also reflect the difference be-\nmains more than 24 hours.\ntween the coastal steppe regions and the\n4. Land Use.\nsteppe region on the Plateaux. On the coastal\nsteppe, the mean temperatures from the cold-\na. Coastal Lowlands and Terraced Uplands.\nest and warmest months and for the year\nThe types of agriculture practiced in the\nare a little higher than in the Mediterranean\ncoastal lowlands and the terraced uplands are\nregion to the north, but the Mediterranean\ndetermined by the average amount of rain-\nclimatic regime is recognizable. On the Pla-\nfall, its seasonal distribution, and its depend-\nteaux, temperatures reflect the continental\nability. The regions that have a Mediter-\nlocation of the region. North winds sweep\nranean climate are primarily croplands and\nacross the Plateaux at below-freezing temper-\nsecondarily grazing lands, whereas the regions\natures during the winter months. Minimum\nthat have a Steppe climate are primarily graz-\ntemperatures are often below 32° F., and the\ning lands and secondarily croplands.\nmean temperature for the coldest month is\nThe coastal plains and highlands are the\nonly 40°. During the summer there is less\nmain regions of cereal production. Wheat is\ncontrast between the coastal region and the\nmost important in the coastal plains and ter-\nPlateaux. Mean temperatures for the warm-\nraced uplands of northern Tunisia, and barley\nest month vary between 79° and 83°. The\nis grown more extensively in the high plains\ndiurnal range of temperature is greater dur-\naround Constantine and the northern section\ning the summer than the winter and in the\nof the coastal lowland of Morocco. Oats are\ninterior than on the coast.\ngrown to some extent in the plains around\nOran and along the lower Medjerda River.\nC. Low Latitude Desert Climate.\nCorn is grown around Constantine, Casa-\nThe area south of the Saharan Atlas and\nblanca, Marrakech, and in the well-watered\nAnti-Atlas ranges and the southwestern por-\ndistricts of northern Tunisia, but the total\ntion of Tunisia have a Low Latitude Desert\nacreage is small.\nClimate. Xerophytic shrubs, sparsely scat-\nGarden crops are raised near the larger\ntered through the desert, are the only peren-\ncities, in the valleys of the principal wadis,\n53\nand especially in the plains south of Bizerte\npine throughout the regions of lower rainfall\nand the Bon Peninsula. Beans, lentils, chick-\nin Algeria. Cork oak forests dominate the\npeas, potatoes, and tomatoes are the principal\narea eastward from Bougie in Algeria to the\ncrops.\nvicinity of Bizerte in Tunisia. Cedar forests\nOlive culture is important in all the coastal\nare found in those areas of northeastern Mo-\nplains regions and in the terraced uplands\nrocco and eastern Algeria which receive the\nup to 2,000 feet. Tunisia has nearly 19 mil-\nhighest annual rainfall. The higher slopes\nlion trees, over half the total in French North\nof the Tunisian Dorsal are covered with thuya\nAfrica; Algeria has 9 million; and Morocco\nand Aleppo pine forests. An evergreen oak\n7 million. Most of the olive oil is produced\nthicket covers the upper slopes of the Anti-\nin the plains area between Sousse and Sfax\nAtlas. In southwestern Morocco, both the\nin Tunisia; in the Sebou Basin around Fez\ncoastal lowlands and the lower slopes of the\nand in the area surrounding Marrakech, in\nAnti-Atlas range support a steppe vegetation.\nMorocco; and in the eastern section of the\nc. The Plateaux and Adjacent Mountains.\nDepartment of Algiers and the western part\nThe interior slopes of the Atlas Mountains\nof the Department of Constantine, in Algeria.\nin Morocco and the Tell Atlas in Algeria, the\nThe principal wine-producing regions are\nHigh Plateaux, the Shott Region of Tunisia,\nthe Sebou Basin and the central portion of\nand both slopes of the Saharan Atlas are cov-\nthe coastal plain in Morocco, and the areas\nered with a steppe vegetation, except for scat-\naround Oran and Algiers in Algeria and\ntered forests on the higher and better watered\naround Tunis in Tunisia. The citrus indus-\nslopes of the Saharan Atlas. The primary\ntry is centered in the coastal lowlands and\neconomic use of this region is for grazing.\nthe valleys of the principal wadis of Algeria\nAlfa grass grows wild over about 15,700 square\nand northern Morocco. Almond trees are\nmiles of the Plateaux.\ngrown principally on the dry interior plain\nd. The Desert.\naround Marrakech. Tobacco is grown in the\nregions around Bône and Algiers.\nVegetation in the Saharan Depression and\nthe desert area of southwestern Tunisia is of\nThe important livestock of French North\ntwo types: ephemeral flowers that spring up\nAfrica are sheep, goats and cattle. The prin-\nimmediately after a rain, mature, bloom, and\ncipal regions for raising sheep and goats in\ndie within a few days; and xerophytic shrubs\nTunisia are the plains around Sousse and\nwhich are able to exist in the desert only\nSfax and the southern coastal region, and in\nbecause they are structurally adapted to con-\nAlgeria the high plains behind Oran. The\nserve the small amount of water that is avail-\ncattle industry is concentrated in the Bizerte-\nable. Both types are sparsely distributed and\nTunis region of Tunisia, the Department of\nare of no economic value. The few inhabit-\nConstantine in Algeria, and the northern\nants in the region live in the oases that are\ncoastal region of Morocco.\nscattered throughout the area. In the oases\nb. Seaward-facing Slopes of the Atlas\ndate palms, some grains, and enough garden\nRanges.\nvegetables to satisfy local needs are grown\nunder irrigation.\nThe lower parts of the seaward-facing slopes\nof the Tell Atlas in Algeria and Tunisia and of\ne. Ahaggar Massif.\nthe High and Middle Atlas ranges in Morocco\nIn the Ahaggar Massif and the surround-\nare cultivated, but the higher slopes bear var-\ning plateaus three distinct vegetation types\nious types of natural vegetation. Maquis veg-\nare present. Below 6,000 feet the vegetation\netation extends from the upper limits of the\nis of a tropical desert type and is very sparsely\ncultivated zone to approximately 3,500 feet.\ndistributed over the area. Between 6,000 and\nAbove the maquis zone are forests of thuya\n8,000 feet permanent vegetation of a low-\n(arborvitae) in southeastern Morocco and\naltitude Mediterranean type covers the slopes\nwestern Algeria, evergreen oak in northeast-\nof the mountains and the plateau regions.\nern Morocco and central Algeria, and Aleppo\nVegetation of high-altitude Mediterranean\n54\nECR ET\ntype is found in the region above 8,000 feet.\naround such settlements and in the better\nSufficient water is available at the lower levels\nwatered beds of the wadis. The raising of\nof the Massif for the maintenance of perma-\ncamels, sheep, and goats is the principal occu-\nnent settlements, and gardens are cultivated\npation of the people.\nECR\nAPPENDIX B\nCOMMUNICATIONS\nFacilities for communication in French\n(8) Rabat-Salé has irregular traffic.\nNorth Africa compare most unfavorably with\n(9) Mehdia, west of Port Lyautey, on the\nthose of most Western European countries.\nAtlantic coast, is a small port under construc-\nThe coastal regions are adequately served by\ntion.\nrail and road networks, but few roads or rail-\nThe merchant marine registered under the\nroads into the interior have been constructed,\nSherifian flag consists of thirty ships, eight\nbecause of the difficulty of terrain and the\nof which were added during 1949. The total\nrelative unimportance of inland desert wastes.\ngross tonnage of this fleet is approximately\n35,000 metric tons with a total cargo capacity\n1. Ports.\nof 50,000 metric tons. In 1948 the Sherifian\na. Morocco.\nfleet moved five percent (or 400,000 metric\n(1) Casablanca is by far the most impor-\ntons) of the total movement in French Moroc-\ntant of the French Moroccan ports, and ranks\ncan ports.\nfourth of all French ports. Over 80 percent\nb. Algeria.\nof all merchandise entering and leaving\nFrench Morocco passes through Casablanca;\nAlgeria is amply supplied with good ports.\nthis traffic in 1949 amounted to 5,750,000\nA total of 9,000,000 metric tons of cargo was\nmetric tons. Because of the increasing needs\nhandled by all Algerian ports in 1948.\nof the port, local authorities have considered\n(1) Algiers port is one of the principal coal-\nthe construction of an extensive \"avant-port\"\ning and fueling stations in the Mediterranean,\nto increase the total sheltered harbor area\nand ranks second in importance of all French\nfrom 200 to 440 hectares, but these improve-\nports for passenger traffic. 400,000 metric\nments have not been effected because of lack\ntons of commodities are handled monthly.\nof funds.\nGood marine repair facilities are available.\nCompletion of projected improvements should\n(2) Safi is a phosphate and fishing port.\nmaterially increase the port capacity.\nIn 1948, 1,024,300 metric tons of cargo were\nhandled. With the exception of Casablanca,\n(2) Oran is one of the more important ports\nSafi is outstripping all other ports in Morocco\nof French North Africa. The port can handle\nin rate of growth.\nabout 350,000 metric tons of merchandise per\nmonth. Four steamship lines make Oran a\n(3) Port Lyautey, located 12 miles inland\nregular port of call.\non the Sébou River, is a useful small port.\n(3) Mers-el-Kebir, 4 miles west of Oran\nOnly small cargo boats or coasters can navi-\nhas the best natural anchorage on the Al-\ngate the shallow channel of the river.\ngerian coast and is being developed into a new\n(4) Fedala, 17 miles north of Casablanca, is\nharbor and naval base.\na peacetime oil discharge port. A sizable sar-\n(4) Bône is a small commercial port with\ndine fleet is based in the port.\nmodest facilities. It is located near a rich\n(5) Agadir is a port for fishing craft and\nagricultural area. Cargo handling capacity\nmiscellaneous traffic. It handles about 50,000\nis 280,000 metric tons per month. The port\ntons annually, all effected by lighters. A port\nis also equipped for handling phosphates and\nimprovement project is under study in Paris.\niron ore.\n(6)\nMazagan\n}\nreceive small coasters and\n(5) Arzew, a small port with limited facili-\n(7) Mogador\nfishing craft.\nties, is used principally as a training area and\n55\n56\nseaplane base. Maximum cargo handling\n(5) Gabès is a small fishing port, although\ncapacity is 30,000 metric tons monthly.\ncertain agricultural products are exported.\n(6) Mostaganem port can handle 50,000\nThe Tunisian merchant marine is insignifi-\nmetric tons of cargo monthly. Facilities are\ncant and is wholly engaged in coastwise ship-\nlimited, but because of its location and the\nping.\nrich hinterland the port will probably increase\nin importance.\n2. Navigable Inland Waterways.\n(7) Bougie is a small commercial port with\nThere are no navigable waterways in either\nlimited facilities. The export of iron and zinc\nAlgeria or Tunisia. The Sébou and Moulouya\nores, phosphates, and agricultural products is\nrivers in Morocco, however, are navigable to\nincreasing and the port is becoming more im-\nsmall boats and barges for 50 and 30 miles\nportant.\ninland, respectively.\n(8) Philippeville, with a capacity of 40,000\nmetric tons monthly, is the principal outlet\n3. Roads.\nfor agricultural products of the Department\nOf the three territories, Tunisia is best\nof Constantine. Port and rail facilities are\nequipped with constructed roads with about\nbeing improved.\n0.25 miles of road per square mile. Compara-\n(9) Béni-Saf is a privately owned port used\nble figures for Algeria and Morocco are 0.035\nprincipally for the export of iron ore.\nand 0.025. These figures compare most un-\n(10) The port of Nemours in western Al-\nfavorably with those of most Western Euro-\ngeria is being extended and modernized with\npean countries. Actual mileage is as follows:\nfinancial help from French Morocco.\nSecond-\nA few Algerian ships, registered as a part\nMain\nary\nMinor\nTotal\nof the French merchant marine, are engaged\nTunisia\n3, 730\n8, 700\n3, 730\n16, 160\nin coastwise shipping.\nMorocco\n3,500\n2,500\n12,500\n18,500\nAlgeria\n4,982\n25,500\n?\n30, 482+\nc. Tunisia.\nTotal\n12, 212\n36,700\n16, 230-\n(1) Port facilities at the twin ports of\nTunis-La Goulette are being modernized, but\nThe coastal and mountain regions are well\nseveral years will probably elapse before recon-\nserved by engineered roads which become\nstruction is completed owing to the shortage\nfewer and of poorer quality inland until in\nof building materials and skilled labor. Traf-\nthe desert regions few are better than natural\nfic in 1947 totalled 1,288,143 metric tons for\ntracks. The roads are the main lines of trans-\nboth ports.\nportation and are adequate for the present\n(2) Sfax is one of the more important ports\nneeds of the population.\nin eastern Tunisia and handles the greatest\nIn Tunisia the roads radiate from the four\ntonnage of any Tunisian port. It serves both\ncoastal cities of Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, and\nas an outlet for phosphates, and as an impor-\nGabès and from the town of Medenine. These\ntant fishing and sponge center. Reconstruc-\nfive centers are linked by a coastal road that\ntion necessitated by the considerable wartime\npasses from Morocco through Algeria and\ndamage has not been completed.\nTunisia into Libya. The network in the north\n(3) Bizerte is the less important of the two\nis fairly dense with numerous connecting\nFrench naval ports in North Africa. War\nroads between the radial routes, but in the\ndamage has been cleaned up, but planned\nsouth the network is open. Extending into\nexpansion cannot be carried out because of the\nAlgeria are three good roads, roughly parallel,\nlack of funds. The base is equipped with re-\nfrom Tunis. The roads southwest of Gabès\npair facilities.\nand Medenine are principally ancient caravan\n(4) Sousse is a small commercial port with\nroutes, slightly improved but in many places\na capacity of 25,000 metric tons monthly. The\nobstructed to motor traffic by drifting sands.\nprincipal exports are phosphates, salt, olive\nThe two principal routes in Algeria are the\noil, grain, and esparto grass.\ninternational highways connecting Morocco\n57\nand Tunisia through Algeria. One closely\nThe Moroccan system consists of two main\nfollows the coastline, and the other parallels\nlines. The main east-west line runs eastward\nit 50 miles inland. Both are two-lane thor-\nfrom Casablanca and joins the Tangier-Fez\noughfares except the section from Constantine\nline at Petitjean. It continues eastward from\nto the Tunisian border where the road is\nFez through Oujda into Algeria. From Oujda\nscarcely wide enough for double traffic. Nu-\na branch line, utilized principally for ore ship-\nmerous roads connect these east-west high-\nments, extends 285 miles south to the iron\nways. Hard-surfaced roads to the south\nmines of Kenadsa (Algeria). The main north-\nbranch off at Mascara, Algiers, and Constan-\nsouth lines extend from the Spanish Moroccan\ntine, and after crossing the high plateaus and\nborder to Petitjean and from Casablanca to\npenetrating the Sahara Atlas mountains, be-\nMarrakech. Branch lines connect with the\ncome trans-Saharan motor routes to French\ncoastal city of Safi and the inland town of\nWest Africa.\nOued Zem. The main line from Marrakech\nMoroccan motor roads link the ports with\nthrough Casablanca and Petitjean to Fez and\nthe principal cities of the interior and with\nthe branch line to Oued Zem are electrified.\nAlgeria. The main roads are 26 feet wide, of\nThe Casablanca to Benguerir section of the\nwhich the paved surface is 13 feet. The prin-\nCasablanca-Marrakech line has a capacity of\ncipal routes are:\n12 trains daily, each of 300-ton capacity.\nTangier-Rabat-Casablanca-Marrakech (385\nOther sections of the system have only half\nmiles)\nthis capacity.\nCasablanca - Mazagan - Marrakech (182\nThe Algerian railways are localized along\nmiles)\nthe Mediterranean. Most of the lines are\nPort Lyautey-Fez-Taza-Oujda (319 miles)\nsingle track with capacities ranging from six\nMazagan-Mogador-Agadir (271 miles)\ntrains each way daily on the narrow gauge\nlines to twelve a day on the standard gauge\n4. Railroads.\nCasablanca-Tunis line. The interior is pene-\nThe railways of French North Africa consist\ntrated by four lines that connect with the\nof separate but interconnected lines operating\nprincipal east-west lines. The longest of these\non three main track gauges over a total route\nextends from Oran to Abadla 478 miles south-\nlength of 5,468 miles. All, except 139 miles\nwest. The three interior lines connect Djelfa\nof normal gauge and 10 miles of meter gauge,\nto the main line at Blida, Touggourt to the\nare single track. In Morocco about 42 per-\nmain line at El Guero, and Tebessa to both\ncent and in Algeria about 4 percent of the\nOuled-Rahmoun and Souk-Ahras on the main\ntotal route length is electrified. There are\nline.\nno electrified lines in Tunisia other than\nThe Tunisian standard gauge system is re-\nabout 29 miles worked as a tramway in and\nstricted to northern Tunisia. The main line\nnear the city of Tunis.\n(120 miles) has branches from Djedeida to\nBizerte (45 miles), from Mateur to Tabarka\nROUTE LENGTH\n(By Gauges and Traction)\n(64 miles), and from Mateur to Mastouta (50\nmiles). The narrow gauge system is composed\nMOROCCO\nALGERIA\nTUNISIA\nof three east-west lines branching off a north-\nMiles\nMiles\nMiles\nsouth coastal line extending from Tunis\n1.435 meter (4'81/2\")\nthrough Sousse and Sfax to Gabès (261 miles).\nSteam\n670\n1,371\n317\nThe northernmost of the east-west lines runs\nElectric\n477\n127\nfrom Tunis to Algeria (162 miles) and con-\n1.055 meter (3'51/2\")\nSteam\n875\nnects with other lines of the system. The\n1 meter (3'35/8\")\ncentral line extends west from Sousse for 179\nSteam\n484\n1, 056\nmiles and is connected to the southernmost\n0.60 meter (1'115/8\")\nline by a 29-mile branch line. The southern-\nSteam\n91\nmost line extends from Graiba, on the coast to\nTotal\n1, 147\n2,948\n1, 373\nthe inland town of Tozeur (146 miles).\n58\nSECRET\nThe three largest undertakings are the\ntercontinentaux (TAI) and Aigle Azur, supple-\nstate-controlled national systems of the Com-\nment the activities of Air France in linking\npagnie des Chemins de Fer du Maroc (CFM),\nthe mother country with the French North\nthe Chemins de Fer Algériens (CFA), and the\nAfrican territories. In addition to the serv-\nCompagnie Fermière des Chemins de Fer\nices flown from Paris, Air France maintains\nTunisiens (CFT) which together operate 88\nair services in North Africa conducted from its\npercent of the total route mileage of French\nbase in Algiers.\nNorth Africa.\nLocal airline companies have been estab-\nThe present over-all system is adequate for\nlished in each of the three areas: several small\nthe normal needs of the region. The equip-\ncarriers in Algeria, two in French Morocco,\nment, however, has been overtaxed for years\nand one in Tunisia. The leading Algerian\nand needs substantial repairs and modern re-\ncarrier, Air Algérie, organized in 1947, links\nplacement. The main source of revenue is\nAlgeria with Tunisia, in addition to conduct-\ntraffic in minerals and agricultural products.\ning services to France and Western Europe.\nCurrent plans call for: (a) in Morocco, the\nThe organization has a fleet of 11 DC-3's. Its\nextension of coalfield and mineral lines, the\nmain depot shop is located in Algiers. A sta-\nextension of main-line electrification eastward\ntistical comparison of this company's opera-\nto Taza, and the replacement of steam by\ntions gives some indication of the growing im-\ndiesel electric traction on the Safi and Abadla\nportance of air transportation in this area.\nlines; and (b) in eastern Algeria the comple-\ntion of the conversion to standard gauge and\nOct 47- Oct 48-\nelectrification of the Oued Keberit-Kouif line.\nSept 48 Sept 49\nNumber of hours flown\n10, 184 14, 710\nThe long-projected trans-Saharan railway\nNumber of passengers carried\n14,720 35, 692\nwhich was to link the North African systems to\nFreight hauled (in metric tons)\n3,930\n4,\n819\nSénégal and the Niger is in abeyance. Also\nplans for the doubling of the Oran-Algiers\nThe two French Moroccan carriers are Air\nmain line and the extension of the Oran-Ain\nAtlas and Air Maroc (the former a subsidiary\nTemouchant branch to rejoin the main line\nat Marnia are shelved.\nof the French nationalized airline Air France).\nBoth carriers fly services to Spain and France,\n5. Airlines.\nAir Atlas flying additional local and regional\nCivil aviation in French North Africa func-\nservices, including a service to Algiers. Air\ntions under control of the French Secretariat\nAtlas has six DC-3 aircraft; Air Maroc, six\nGeneral for Civil and Commercial Aviation in\nDC-3's and two C-46's. During 1949 these\nParis. Control is exercised through a District\ncompanies carried a total of 23,102 passengers,\nDirector in the Overseas Department of Al-\n1,253 tons of air freight, and 95 tons of mail.\ngeria, and a Regional Director in each of the\nThe Tunisian carrier, Tunis Air, is also a\nprotectorates of French Morocco and Tunisia.\nsubsidiary of Air France. This company con-\nForeign scheduled air services into the area\nducts scheduled passenger services to Nice and\nare confined to a long-range service conducted\nRome, as well as a regional service to Algiers,\nby Trans World Airline (US), which stops at\nall connecting with Air France schedules. Its\nAlgiers and Tunis on a trunkline air route to\nfleet is composed of 4 DC-3's.\nIndia, and a few regional services. Aero Por-\ntuguese of Portugal and Iberia of Spain fly\n6. Other Communications Facilities.\ninto neighboring French Morocco, while Linee\nTelephone and telegraph facilities operate\nAeree Italiane (LAI) of Italy and Air Malta fly\nunder government monopoly and in general\ninto nearby Tunisia. French scheduled air\nfollow the density pattern of population. Fa-\nservices into French North Africa are con-\ncilities are rudimentary in certain aspects, but\nducted primarily by Air France, which links\nthey have been greatly improved since World\nParis with Algeria, French Morocco, and Tu-\nWar II. Modernization and expansion have\nnisia. A number of French private air carriers,\nbeen due largely to the recognized strategic\nnotably Compagnie de Transports Aériens In-\nvalue of North African ports and air bases.\nSECRET\n59\nAside from division of administrative con-\nbe made up of US Army Signal Corps types\ntrol, the telecommunication systems in\nof World War II vintage.\nFrench Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia could\na. French Morocco.\noperate as one system. Equipment and prac-\nThe Moroccan Government owns and oper-\ntices are mainly French.\nates the country's domestic telecommunica-\nThe underground cable across French North\ntions facilities, through the PTT. The equip-\nAfrica originates in Casablanca. French\nment, operating techniques, and the essential\nMorocco, and extends via Oran, Algeria, to its\ntraining of native technicians are basically\nterminal point in Tunis. Its total length is\nFrench, although the introduction of Ameri-\nabout 1,428 miles. The decision to extend a\ncan equipment and operating methods during\ncable net across this area was made by the\nWorld War II has had considerable influence\nVichy Government in 1941. In 1943 actual\non the country. Morocco can produce only a\nconstruction began at various points, utilizing\nnegligible percentage of the equipment it\nsections which had been laid between certain\nneeds for telecommunications, and thus must\nlarge urban centers prior to 1941. Adminis-\ncontinue to rely almost entirely on France or\ntration of the system is handled by a Board\nthe US to meet its needs. The country has\nof Directors composed of representatives from\na domestic wire net that provides fair to good\nthe three Post Telegraph and Telephones\nservice. The PTT has its headquarters in\n(PTT) concerned. When this cable goes into\nRabat.\noperation, probably at the end of 1950, existing\nThe telephone system provides the widest\nfacilities will be almost doubled and service\ncoverage, and is thus the most important\nwill be comparable to any modern Western\nmeans of communication. Morocco has 45,-\ncable system.\n153 telephone subscribers; principal ex-\nInternational and domestic cable service to\nchanges are located in Rabat-Salé, Casa-\nFrance is adequate for present requirements;\nblanca, Marrakech, Fez and Meknes. The\noperations are excellent and efficient despite\nMoroccan Government depends heavily on this\nold equipment. The system is well integrated\nnetwork and, to a lesser degree, on the tele-\nwith the landline network of North Africa, and\ngraph system for administration of the coun-\nthe facilities could probably accommodate a\ntry, whereas the Army depends largely on\nlimited additional load with present equip-\nradio. Telegraph lines connect most of the\nment.\npopulation centers, and in many places, tele-\nRadio plays three primary roles in this area\ngraph and telephone wires are carried on the\ntoday: i.e., international communication,\nsame poles. An extensive telegraph net ex-\nbroadcasting, and military. Of these three\nists for the operation of the railway system.\nroles, international communication has pro-\nThe telegraph circuits follow along the rail-\ngressed rapidly since the end of World War II.\nway and are operated on a closed circuit sys-\nFrench stations at Rabat and Algiers handle\ntem.\nincreasing traffic loads, but their facilities\nThe French Army operates an extensive net-\nhave not changed materially since the war\nwork of radio stations, which provide the only\nyears.\nmeans of communication in the sparsely popu-\nRadio broadcasting has also made great\nlated regions of southern and southeastern\nstrides during the five years but is the subject\nMorocco. Although they are used primarily\nof more official enthusiasm than actual effec-\nfor military purposes, the stations also handle\ntiveness. Radio receiver density is very low,\nofficial and even public traffic.\nSO that only about 10-15 percent of the popu-\nb. Algeria.\nlation can be considered to be reached by this\nThe PTT system in Algeria is owned and\nmedium.\noperated by the government. The wire net is\nFrench military forces have widely scattered\nvery extensive and provides service for most of\nradio installations and operate numerous net-\nthe towns and villages in the country. Tele-\nworks linking France with its overseas col-\nphone service is more widely used than tele-\nonies. Most of their equipment is believed to\ngraph and is the most dependable means of\nSECRET\n60\ncommunication; there are 75,670 telephone\nfacilities for the French PTT, which owns the\nsubscribers. The telephone service is more\nsystems. Although the lines were in a total\nthan adequate for the country's needs. Main\nstate of disrepair following World War II, they\ntelephone centers are located at Algiers, Oran,\nhave since been repaired and modernized so\nand Constantine.\nthat they are now above their prewar\nThe telegraph system is not widely used in\nefficiency.\nAlgeria. Most of the circuits are carried on\nTelephone subscribers number 15,600.\ntelephone wire. There are six circuits to\nTunisia and six to Morocco.\nThere are 207 PTT telegraph stations and\n81 railroad telegraph stations located through-\nc. Tunisia.\nout Tunisia. Ninety percent of all telegraphic\nTunisia has an extensive network of tele-\nmessages in 1948 were relayed to and from\nphone and telegraph circuits with many inter-\nthe capital city of Tunis. Of these, some 29\nconnecting lines. The system is antiquated,\npercent were local, 37 percent international\nexcept for the city of Tunis. The Tunisian\n(mainly to France), and the remaining 34 per-\nGovernment operates all telecommunication\ncent to other North African stations.\nECRET\nSECRET\nAPPENDIX C\nPOPULATION\nThe population of French North Africa,\nBerber is the dominant native racial stock\nwhich had remained relatively static before\nof the area. Since the Arab conquerors first\nthe French conquests, has grown rapidly since\noverran the area in the seventh century A. D.,\nthe introduction of minimum European\nthere has been a considerable intermixture\nstandards of health and sanitation. Average\nbetween Berber and Arab. The Arab has im-\nlife expectancy is now about 35 years. The\nposed his religion, language, dress, and many\nnet population growth is 400,000 (or about 2\nof his customs on a large part of the Berber\npercent) annually. At this rate of growth the\ncommunity. The Berbers, however, have pre-\npopulation will soon expand beyond food pro-\nserved some distinct racial characteristics; a\nduction capabilities. The following table\nnegroid strain is evident in some sections.\ngives some indication of the population distri-\nGenerally speaking, the Berbers populate the\nbution. Figures are based on calculated esti-\nrural districts and the interior regions, while\nmates, rather than on actual census records,\nmost of the Arabs congregate in the urban\nbecause population tabulations in this semi-\nand coastal areas. About one-fourth of the\nprimitive area are not accurate.\nBerbers are nomads, and an equal or greater\nMost of the population is concentrated\nnumber are semi-nomadic. Arabic is the pre-\nalong the Mediterranean and Atlantic littorals\ndominant language among the urban natives,\nand the fertile river basins and interior oases.\na great many of whom also understand\nThe standard of living is low, similar to that\nFrench. In the isolated rural areas, various\nof other countries on the southern shores of\nBerber dialects predominate. Except for the\nthe Mediterranean. Among the vast majority\nupper-class minority engaged in the profes-\nof the native population the mode of life has\nsions, the natives are considered unskilled by\naltered little in centuries. Important chief-\nwestern standards.\ntains, senior functionaries, and wealthy trad-\nThe basis of native society is the authority\ners, on the other hand, enjoy a way of life now\nof the father over his family and dependents.\nrare in Europe.\nPolygamy is still common, but because of the\nThe European minority is predominantly\npoverty of the masses only about one family\nFrench, but also includes large numbers of\nin six in polygamous. Many tribal character-\nItalians, Spanish, Greeks, and Maltese.\nistics remain, although the tribe today tends\nFrench is the predominant and official lan-\nto be a territorial division. The markets are\nguage. The Europeans live in the large towns\nthe most important centers of rural life. Na-\nand are usually engaged in government, com-\ntive quarters (medinas) differ markedly from\nmerce, the professions, or skilled trades.\nthe European quarters; as in medieval English\nTOTAL FNA\nMOROCCO\nALGERIA\nTUNISIA\n1931\n14,250,000\n1936\n16,100,000\n1948\n20,510,000\n8,613,000\n8,666,000\n3,231,000\nDensity per square mile\n19\n53\n10. 2\n16. 9\nEuropeans and Jews\n1,874,600\n525,000\n1,040,000\n309,600\nNatives\n18,635,400\n8,088,000\n7,626,000\n2,921,400\nGainfully employed\n2,200,000\n1,600,000\n680, 000\n(1950)\n(1950)\n(1936)\nSECRET\n61\n62\nSECRET\ntowns, the members of one trade (guild) live\nBerbers, including fetishes such as the hanging\ntogether and have their shops in one particu-\nof bits of rag on sacred trees, a votive offering\nlar district.\nof the native women to ward off sterility.\nFewer than 10 percent of the native popula-\nHabous (religious endowed property) lands\ntion are literate. Although the French\nand buildings are scattered throughout the\nauthorities claim to be engaging in a cam-\narea, the income supporting religious and\npaign against illiteracy, school facilities are so\ncharitable works and such institutions as\ninadequate that fewer than one-fifth of the\nschools and hospitals.\nchildren can be enrolled in school.\nThe Moslem brotherhoods (confréries), or\nreligious organizations, also play an impor-\nThe Moslem religion permeates almost every\ntant role in native life. Membership is pre-\naspect of life and the Koran regulates rela-\ndominantly rural and Berber, and adherents\ntionships and actions. Mosques abound in\nare scattered widely throughout the area.\nboth urban and rural regions. Prayers are\nZaouias (headquarters) are located in all of\nsaid five times daily; and the month's fast of\nthe principal coastal and interior cities where\nRamadan is observed annually by the natives.\na particular group is dominant, and in villages\nComparatively few North African Moslems\none or another of the groups usually plays an\nmake the pilgrimage to Mecca, however.\nimportant role in communal affairs. The\nThere are local holy men, but no clergy in\nprincipal differences between the various\nthe European sense. The Moslem Sunni\nbrotherhoods are the initiatory ceremonies,\n(comparable to moderate Christian Protes-\nprayers, and religious rites. These organiza-\ntants) sect prevails, although a minority ad-\ntions lack efficient organization, and attach-\nheres to the Shiah (comparable to extreme\nment to the order in many instances seems to\nChristian Catholics) sect. Synagogues and\nbe limited to a feeling of reverence for the\nChristian churches are located in the principal\nSherif (hereditary leader). Ties to the\nurban areas. The Roman Catholic is the\nmother zaouia generally appear too loose to\nlargest of the Christian communities.\norganize an effective group. The Arabic word\nThe Arabs as a whole are fanatical and\nfor the orders is synonymous with the word\ndeeply superstitious. On the other hand, the\n\"way,\" indicating that the brotherhoods are\nBerbers are democratic by nature and, al-\nthought of as a way of life and not as a politi-\nthough occasionally liable to fanaticism, rare-\ncal or religious movement with determined\nly moved by religious enthusiasm. Many\nobjectives. The brotherhoods are a some-\nreligious customs common in the country be-\nwhat amorphous but substantial force on the\nfore the arrival of Islam survive among the\nside of tradition and conservatism.\nAPPENDIX D\nBIOGRAPHIES\nABBAS, FERHAT 1899-\npected to play a major role in the government\nBefore World War II Ferhat Abbas was ac-\nof an independent Morocco.\ntive in the pro-French assimilationist Fédéra-\nBOUMENDJEL, AHMED BEN MOHAMMED\ntion des Elus Musulmans. After the defeat\n1908-\nof France and during the Vichy regime in Al-\nProbable successor to Ferhat Abbas as leader\ngeria he became more pro-nationalist in senti-\nment, and in February 1943 was among the\nof the UDMA (nationalist) party of which he\nAlgerian Arab leaders who addressed a mani-\nhas been a member since 1945, Boumendjel is\nan Algerian who has accepted French citizen-\nfesto to the French authorities demanding\nreforms in the French administration. In\nship and a French wife. He studied law in\n1944 he founded the strongly pro-nationalist\nParis and at the University of Algiers and is\nAmis du Manifeste, the general aim of which\nregarded as much more intelligent and subtle\nthan Abbas. His influence in the UDMA is\nwas the eventual establishment of Algerian\ntoward moderation. He is a Moslem and at\nautonomy within the framework of the French\nUnion. The Amis was dissolved by govern-\npresent is a member of the Assembly of the\nmental decree in May 1945 and Abbas subse-\nFrench Union, having been elected to that post\nquently founded the Union Démocratique du\nby the Algerian Assembly in 1948.\nManifeste Algérien (UDMA) and was elected\nBOURGHIBA, HABIB 1904-\non this ticket to the Constituent Assembly in\nAlthough friendly to France and French cul-\nJune 1946. He recently resigned from mem-\nture, Bourghiba is the outstanding leader of\nbership in the Assembly of the French Union.\nArab nationalism and opponent of French pol-\nAlthough he has been reported to have close\nicy in Tunisia. Politically astute, he has re-\nrelations with the Algerian Communist Party\njected the repeated efforts of the French to\nand to have received subsidies from the Com-\nwin him over. In 1933 he founded the Neo-\nmunists, he has recently been extremely criti-\nDestour Party, of which he is president. Re-\ncal of Communist activities in Algeria.\ngarded as the inspiration for the hard core of\nBALAFREJ, AHMED 1912-\nnationalism in Tunisia, he nevertheless has a\ndefinite moderating influence and is attempt-\nBalafrej is the principal policy-maker and\ning to negotiate with France for concessions\nstrategist of the Istiqlal (Independence)\nleading to independence.\nParty, which he helped to form in 1944, and is\nbelieved to have the confidence of the Sultan.\nBourghiba represented Tunisia on the Com-\nHe envisages the abrogation of the Treaty of\nmittee for the Liberation of North Africa from\nFez (1912) and its replacement by a French-\nits inception in Cairo in 1948 until late 1949\nMoroccan Treaty under which an independent\nwhen he returned to Tunisia to reassume the\nMorocco would rely on French guidance and\nactive leadership of the Neo-Destour Party.\nadvice.\nHis efforts to date have had no notable success.\nWell educated and intelligent, he is the most\nBourghiba is a Moslem and a graduate of\nwesternized of the Istiqlal leaders and is be-\nthe Ecole Libre des Sciences Politiques in Paris.\nlieved to be largely responsible for the party's\nDuring the war he refused to collaborate with\nmoderate approach to the Moroccan problem.\nthe Axis. He is an anti-Communist but might\nHe is not unfriendly toward the United States,\nbe persuaded to collaborate with the Commu-\nalthough he believes the US is indifferent to\nnists if hope of other help were lost and he\nMoroccan nationalist aims. He could be ex-\nhad become convinced that the Communist\nSECRET\n63\n64\ncollaboration furnished the only possibility of\ncome. He is thought to be friendly toward\ngaining independence.\nthe US. On the whole, Farhat's views are\nBOURQUIA, ABDESLAM circa 1920-\ntypical of conservative Tunisian Arabs who\nwere educated in France.\nA French Moroccan journalist, Bourquia is\na die-hard Communist. Fairly intelligent and\nFASSI, SI ALLAL EL 1910-\nwell educated, he is a useful propagandist for\nSecond only to Balafrej in the leadership of\nthe Moroccan Communist Party. In 1948 he\nthe Istiqlal Party, Fassi has been associated\nwas said to be completely under the control\nwith the Moroccan nationalist movement since\nof the French members of the Secretariat of\nits inception. Exiled to French Equatorial\nthe Moroccan Communist Party who found\nAfrica in 1937 by the French because of his\nhim useful in proselyting among the natives.\nnationalist activities, he was not permitted to\nCABALLERO, PAUL\nreturn until 1946. He served in Cairo as the\nVery little is known of this Secretary Gen-\nIstiqlal representative on the Committee for\neral of the Algerian Communist Party. He\nthe Liberation of North Africa from January\nto December 1948. Fassi now resides in the\nmay be one of the large group of Spanish Loy-\nalists who settled in Oran after fleeing from\nInternational Zone of Tangier because he fears\ncurtailment of his movements should he re-\nSpain during the Civil War. He and other\nprominent members of the Politburo of the\nturn to the French Zone. A religious zealot\nAlgerian Communist Party are alleged to re-\nand fiery orator, he has given indications of\nceive their directives at secret meetings with\nbeing out of sympathy with the conservative\nLeon Feix, permanent representative of the\npolicies of Balafrej. So long as he remains in\nFrench Communist Party in Algeria.\nTangier, however, he probably will have little\nchance of success in a program of gathering\nENNAFAA, MOHAMMED BEN BRAHIM BEN\ndissident party members about himself.\nSAID 1920-\nHACHED, FARHAT\nEnnafaa is one of the principal members of\nthe Central Committee of the Tunisian Com-\nLeader of the nationalist-sponsored Union\nmunist Party. He is reported to have the dif-\nGénérale des Travailleurs Tunisiens (UGTT),\nficult assignment of endeavoring to obtain a\nHached is reputed to have such intelligence\nrapprochement with the Neo and Old Destour\nand ability that he is head and shoulders\n(nationalist) Parties in order to achieve a\nabove other French and Tunisian labor lead-\n\"National Front\" of all Moslem and Commu-\ners. He is energetic, and has a large fol-\nnist elements. His chief labors are said to be\nlowing. In his writings, he uses slogans in-\naddressing Party cells and city and regional\nstead of facts. He has had years of intensive\nconferences and writing articles for the Com-\ntraining under French labor leadership and\nmunist Party organ, L'Avenir de la Tunisie.\nhas been engaged for several years in organ-\nHe closely follows the Cominform line in at-\nizing Tunisian labor. Held responsible for\ntacking the US, the Marshall Plan and the\nthe bloodshed during strikes and riots at Sfax\nAtlantic Pact. Although he is considered to\nin August 1947, he waged a vigorous and suc-\nbe well educated for a Tunisian Moslem born\ncessful campaign to have strikers reinstated\nin humble circumstances, Ennafaa is not be-\nand his union representation restored to the\nlieved to be as able and forceful as Ali Djerad,\nlabor commission. Efforts by the Commu-\nwhom he replaced in May 1948 as the Party's\nnist-backed USTT to affiliate the UGTT with\napologist among the Moslems.\ntheir organization failed, although the unions\nhave collaborated in limited local objectives\nFARHAT, SALAH 1890-\nfrom time to time. It is generally thought\nThis Tunisian lawyer has been Secretary\nthat Hached has no love for the Communists\nGeneral of the Old Destour Party since its\nand that he will work with the USTT only\nfoundation in 1933. Moderate on most issues,\nas long as something can be gained locally\nhe apparently believes that Tunisian inde-\nby intermittent and joint action. Although\npendence will not be realized for some time to\nHached accepted affiliation for the UGTT with\n65\nthe Communist-dominated WFTU, he prob-\nthe French cabinet had been purged of Com-\nably would be disposed to collaborate with\nmunists and had decided to impose a more\nany international labor organization with a\nstringent administration upon Morocco. Juin\nworld-wide audience.\nbrought to this task the conservatism of a\ncareer soldier, substantial administrative ca-\nHASSAN V, SIDI MOHAMMED BEN YOUS-\npacity, powerful anti-Communist convictions,\nSEF BEN EL Sultan of Morocco, 1912-\nand a devout adherence to the traditional\nThe present Sultan of Morocco-the nomi-\nrights and privileges of Frenchmen at home\nnal ruler of three areas, French Morocco,\nand abroad. These characteristics account\nSpanish Morocco, and the International Zone\nfor the fact that Juin has always had the\nof Tangier-was elected to this position at\ncomplete confidence of General de Gaulle\nFez on 18 November 1927 by an assembly of\ndespite the fact that he commanded the\nVizirs and Elders of the Mosques. His elec-\nFrench Army of the Vichy Government. They\ntion is said to have been engineered by the\nalso explain the somewhat strained relation-\nFrench because he presumably could be\nship which exists between the General and\nmolded and controlled more easily than his\nthe Sultan of Morocco.\nolder and more intelligent brothers. In re-\nFrom the French point of view, Juin's civil-\ncent years, however, he has asserted his inde-\nian administration has been successful in that\npendence of French authority. He is reported\nhe has reestablished French prestige and\nto visualize himself as the leader of the Arab\nmaintained internal security. In recent\nworld in northwest Africa, and in Tangier in\nmonths, his military duties have become more\n1947 he made a ringing defense of the Arab\nimportant with his appointment as chief of\nLeague. His relations with General Juin are\nthe Southern European-Western Mediterra-\nstrained. The Sultan has felt that Juin over-\nnean military region under the Atlantic Pact.\nsteps his authority. He is the virtual, al-\nthough not nominal, head of the Istiqlal\nKAAK, MUSTAPHA 1893-\nParty, the principal nationalist organization\nKaak is the son of a Tunisian Government\nin French Morocco, and is in close contact\nofficial and from 1911-17 served in the Section\nwith the party leaders. Because he is aware\nd'Etat of the Tunisian Government while\nof the sparsity of capable personnel among\nworking for a law degree. He was a member\nMoroccans and because he realizes a nation-\nof the Grand Council of Tunisia from 1928 to\nalist uprising would be futile and injurious\n1934, when he was believed to be a strong\nto his position, he advocates moderation for\nsympathizer, if not a member, of the Old\nthe national movement. Genuinely con-\nDestour Party. With Old and Neo-Destour\ncerned with the welfare of his people, he is\nParty members he signed a petition in 1944\ninterested in the betterment of education and\nasking for Tunisian autonomy. He was ap-\nliving conditions.\npointed Prime Minister of the Tunisian Gov-\nernment in July 1947 at the height of his\nJUIN, General ALPHONSE-PIERRE 1888-\npopularity with the nationalists. However,\nThe present Resident General for France\nthe Neo-Destourians now consider him a tool\nin Morocco and Commander in Chief of all\nof the French and a traitor and the Bey has\nFrench armed forces in North Africa began his\non several occasions publicly shown his dislike\ncolonial career by being born at Bône, Algeria,\nfor the Prime Minister. He is believed to be\nin 1888.\nhonest and capable, but ineffective in dealing\nThe General, who is the top-ranking mili-\nwith French authorities in the manner ex-\ntary figure of France, graduated from St. Cyr\npected by the nationalists. In fact he is re-\nand joined the First Regiment of Algerian\nsponsible to the Resident General and not to\nTirailleurs in 1911. His subsequent career\nthe Bey. He has remained in office primarily\nwas spent generally in Europe and North\nbecause it has been impossible to find a Prime\nAfrica.\nMinister who could be equally acceptable to\nJuin's appointment to the civilian post he\nFrench authorities, nationalists, and the\nnow occupies took place in May 1947 when\nBey.\n66\nLAMINE PASHA BEY, MOHAMMED Bey of\nannual congress in April 1949. In the ab-\nTunis 1881-\nsence of Ali Yata, he is the actual leader for\nLamine was appointed Bey of Tunis by Gen-\nCommunist activities in the area.\neral Giraud in May 1943 to succeed Mo-\nMESSALI HADJ circa 1903-\nhammed el-Moncef Bey, who was deposed by\nthe French for his pro-German activities.\nMost vocal of the extreme Algerian nation-\nThe manner of his appointment marked him\nalists, Messali studied at the University of\nas a tool of the French, and until the death\nParis and resided in that city from 1923 to\nof Moncef in 1948, Lamine was anathema to\n1937. In the latter year, he helped found\nthe Tunisian nationalists. Since that time,\nthe nationalistic Parti Populaire Algérien and\nLamine has been recognized as the legitimate\nwas imprisoned for two years. In 1941 Vichy\nBey, his prestige has been greatly increased,\ncondemned him to 16 years at hard labor.\nand the nationalists have given him their\nHe was released but immediately placed in\nsupport. He is believed to be somewhat un-\n\"forced residence\" by General Giraud the fol-\nder the influence of his son, Prince Chadly,\nlowing year. A strong anti-Communist, he\nwho is a close friend of Neo-Destour leader,\nalso opposes the inclusion of Algeria in the\nSalah ben Youssef. Lamine has recently\nAtlantic Pact. Although he opposes taking\nshown some reluctance to go along with the\nsides in the East-West conflict, in the event\nFrench, and has opposed various decrees pro-\nof war he would probably try to trade Algerian\nposed by the Resident General.\nMoslem assistance for support of Algerian in-\ndependence. Messali regards Ferhat Abbas,\nLYAUTEY, Marshal LOUIS HUBERT GON-\nthe Algerian UDMA leader, as an upstart.\nZALVE 1854-1934\nAlthough a professional soldier, Lyautey's\nNAEGELEN, MARCEL EDMOND 1892-\nreputation rests upon his creative genius as a\nNaegelen has been increasingly prominent\ncolonial administrator and defender of French\nin the French Socialist Party since 1934, and\ntradition and interests. In April 1912 he was\nfollowing World War II he emerged as one of\nappointed High Commissioner and Resident\nthe leaders of the Party. He also has been a\nGeneral in Morocco to quell disturbances at\nclose friend and admirer of Léon Blum. Nae-\nFez and to consolidate the recently established\ngelen succeeded Yves Chataigneau as Gov-\nprotectorate. His success is indicated by the\nernor General of Algeria in February 1948.\nfact that during World War I, although the\nHis tenure of office has been renewed each six\nMoroccan interior was in effect demilitarized\nmonths since August 1948. Upon his arrival\nin order to free troops for service in Europe,\nin Algiers the Administration underwent a\nLyautey not only maintained order but en-\nmarked change from the complaisance of his\nlarged the area of French control. After\npredecessor. He returned to a firm hand in\nWorld War I, he conquered the Atlas region,\ndealing with both nationalist aspirations and\nestablished a defensive barrier to the north\nthe Communists. He has travelled exten-\nof Ouergha, and directed the final counter-\nsively in Algeria to revive French prestige and\nattack against Abd-el-Krim. Except for a\nto strengthen the psychological ties binding\nbrief period (December 1917 to March 1918)\nAlgeria to France. Naegelen is alert, intelli-\nwhen he served as French War Minister,\ngent, and personally ambitious.\nLyautey's service in Morocco was continuous\nNISARD, MAURICE 1914-\nuntil 1925. He was made a Marshal of France\nThis young Tunisian-Jewish lawyer is said\nin 1921 as a reward for his achievements in\nto be the ablest of the Tunisian Communist\nNorth Africa.\nofficials. He is one of the principal Party\nMAZELLA, MICHEL, 1907-\nSecretaries, a member of the Party's Polit-\nburo and Central Committee, and the chief\nA French Moroccan journalist and former\neditorial writer for the Party organ, L'Avenir\nteacher, Mazella was appointed Treasurer of\nde la Tunisie. He is quick and intelligent,\nthe Moroccan Communist Party at its second\nand is proficient in three languages-Arabic,\nECRET\n67\nItalian, and French. Described as agreeable\nHe is reported to be honest, industrious, but\nand well-mannered socially, Nisard has the\nsomewhat lacking in political sagacity.\nreputation of being an able lawyer. He is\nunquestionably the most competent of the\nSADAOUI, HASSEN, 1899-\nlocal Communist leaders and the \"spark plug\"\nA militant member of the Tunisian Commu-\nof the Politburo and the Central Committee.\nnist Party, Sadaoui was \"elected\" President\nHis energy and keen mind constitute an im-\nof the Union des Syndicats des Travailleurs\nportant element in the local Communist strat-\nde Tunisie (USTT) to provide the union with\negy and activity. His attitude toward the US\na Moslem president. He is a quiet but indus-\nis one of violent hostility and his editorials\ntrious labor leader of importance in Tunisia's\nconsistently follow the Cominform line in at-\nlabor movement, although he is considerably\ntacking American \"imperialism.\"\nless active politically than Georges Poropane,\nPERILLIER, MARCELLIN MARIE LOUIS\nthe USTT's Secretary General.\n1900-\nWAZZANI (OUAZZANI), MOHAMMED BEN\nIn June 1950 Perillier was selected to re-\nHASSAN 1910-\nplace Socialist Jean Mons as Resident General\nWazzani has long collaborated with other\nof Tunisia. A career civil servant of Rightist\nnationalist elements in demanding reforms\nsympathies, Perillier has had considerable ex-\nfrom the French. Released in 1946 after ten\nperience in North African affairs. He is in-\nyears' exile, he disagreed with the ideas of the\ntelligent, capable, extremely ambitious, and\nIstiqlal leaders and established a new group\nan astute politician. He is said to owe his\ncalled the Shoura (Democratic) Party, but he\nappointment in Tunisia not only to his ad-\nhas not succeeded in building up a large fol-\nministrative ability but to his friendship and\nlowing. He is reported to have close connec-\nclose association with French Foreign Min-\ntions with the French Residency, and is con-\nister Robert Schuman.\nsidered by the more active nationalists to be\nAlthough he is still in the process of be-\nan agent of the French Administration.\ncoming acquainted with his new duties, Peril-\nThere were indications in 1949 that he was\nlier apparently intends to rule Tunisia firmly\nmildly pro-Communist.\nand the reform program which he will im-\nplement will be introduced cautiously, with-\nYATA, ALI 1920-\nout relinquishing France's prerogatives in the\nAli Yata, Secretary of the Moroccan Com-\narea.\nmunist Party, disappeared in July 1948 when\nHe is reported to be favorably disposed to-\nhis arrest was ordered by the Protectorate au-\nward Great Britain and the US.\nthorities in connection with the illegal distri-\nPOROPANE, GEORGES 1902-\nbution of Communist propaganda through the\nmails. Although his whereabouts are not\nAs Secretary General of the Union des Syn-\ndefinitely known, he probably is in close touch\ndicats des Travailleurs de Tunisie (USTT),\nwith events in Morocco and directs the Party\nPoropane is the effective leader of this Com-\nactivities from his underground headquarters.\nmunist-controlled and WFTU-recognized Tu-\nnisian labor union. Poropane is a French-\nYOUSSEF, SALAH BEN 1908-\nJewish skilled worker at the French naval ar-\nThis Paris-trained Tunisian lawyer, who has\nsenal at Sidi Abdallah (Ferryville). He\nspent six years in French prisons because of\ngained his experience as a union organizer\nwith the Tunisian section of the French CGT\nhis nationalistic convictions, is Secretary Gen-\nuntil the schism in October 1946. As a mem-\neral of the Neo-Destour Party. He is regarded\nber of the Central Committee of the Tunisian\nas fiery by temperament and politically some-\nCommunist Party, Poropane is the apologist\nwhat immature. It is reported that he and\nfor Communist labor doctrines and writes the\nhis colleagues still hold the US high in esteem\nprincipal articles for the USTT in the Com-\nand that at heart he is less anti-French than\nmunist Party organ, L'Avenir de la Tunisie.\nhis speeches suggest. It is believed that ben\nSECRET\n68\nSECRET\nYoussef will not urge his followers to violence\ncause the French refused to accept an all-\nuntil all peaceful means toward Tunisian inde-\nDestour government. Although formerly a\npendence have been exhausted. It is also said\nclose associate of Bourghiba, during the lat-\nthat he has considered joining forces with the\nter's absence in Cairo ben Youssef established\nlocal Communists as a means of furthering\nhis political position so effectively that his\nTunisian nationalism. In July 1947, he de-\nclosest associates were disgruntled at Bour-\nclined a post in the new Tunisian cabinet be-\nghiba's resumption of leadership.\nAPPENDIX E\nCHRONOLOGY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS\nB. C. 525 Introduction of the camel into North Africa by the Persian conquest.\nA. D. 647 First of the three Arab invasions of North Africa.\n682\nConversion of the Berbers to Islam.\n732\nOrigin of Zeitouna University, Tunis, oldest of the three celebrated Arab\nuniversities in North Africa. (The other two are Karaouiyine in Fez\nand El Azhar in Cairo.)\n1358 Treaty with Pisa granting capitulations in Morocco; the first instance of\nextraterritorial jurisdiction in North Africa.\n1577 Agreement establishing a French consul in Tunis.\n1603\nCapitulations in Morocco granted to France by treaty.\n1665\nAgreement guaranteeing pre-eminence of the French consul in Tunis.\n1705 Inception of the Regency of Tunis under the ruling Husseinite dynasty\nfollowing the non-recognition of the Sultan of Constantinople by the\nBey of Tunis, Hussein ben Ali.\n28 May 1767\nTreaty between Morocco and France extending rights of protection not only\nto foreigners but also, for the first time, to natives in their employ.\n1787\nExtraterritorial rights in Morocco granted to the US by a most-favored-\nnation treaty.\n1814-1815 Congress of Vienna, marking the disintegration of the First French Empire.\n1827\nAffront tendered the French consul by the Dey of Algiers.\n5 July 1830\nCapture of Algiers, followed by the conquest and occupation of Algeria\nby the French.\n16 September 1836\nRe-negotiation of the terms of the US-Moroccan treaty of 1787. This treaty\nis the basis of the special US privileged position throughout Morocco.\n9 December 1856\nTreaty of peace and commerce between UK and Morocco, granting limited\ncapitulatory rights.\n1861 Treaty of commerce between Spain and Morocco.\n1871\nUS declined offer by Sultan to obtain a protectorate over Morocco.\n12 May 1881\nThe treaty of Le Bardo establishing a French protectorate over Tunisia.\n8 June 1883\nThe Convention of La Marsa modifying the Le Bardo treaty.\nJuly-August 1898\nThe Fashoda incident.\n8 April 1904\nAnglo-French general agreement known as the \"Entente Cordiale\" delimit-\ning their respective spheres of influence, particularly in relation to the\nMoroccan question.\n31 March 1905\nVisit of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Chancellor von Bulow to Tangier to insist\non Germany's interest in Morocco and full independence of the Sultan.\n7 April 1906 Act of Algeciras derived from the International Conference designed to\neffect governmental reorganization and economic reforms in Morocco.\n1 June 1911 German gunboat \"Panther\" dispatched to Agadir, to protect German inter-\nests in Morocco.\n69\n70\n30 March 1912 The Treaty of Fez establishing a French protectorate over Morocco.\n1914-1918 French North Africa emerged from World War I with French hegemony\npreserved by the untiring efforts of General Lyautey.\nMay 1926 Abd-el-Krim, leader of the Rif revolt in Morocco, surrendered to the French.\n18 November 1927 Accession to the throne of H. M. Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef ben El-Hassan\nV, present Sultan of Morocco.\n1934 Termination of successful military operations engaged in pacification of\nlast dissident tribes in Morocco.\n7-8 November 1942\nAllied landings in French North Africa.\n17 November 1942\nClark-Darlan Agreement, Algiers.\nDecember 1942-\nConquest and occupation of the Fezzan by General Leclerc's Free French\nJanuary 1943\nForces.\n12 May 1943 El Moncef Pasha, Bey of Tunis, deposed by the Allies following their victory\nover the Axis troops in Tunisia.\n3 June 1943 Constitution in Algiers of the French Committee of National Liberation\nby Generals de Gaulle and Giraud following their Casablanca agreement.\n30 January 1944 The Brazzaville Conference of French colonial administrators.\n8 May 1945 Bloody repression by French of nationalist-instigated native uprisings at\nSétif and Guelma in the Kabyle regions of Algeria.\n27 October 1946 Adoption of the French Constitution of the Fourth Republic providing for\nthe organization of the French Union.\n10 April 1947 During Tangier visit while he was relatively free from French control, the\nSultan in a politically-slanted religious speech backed the Arab League\nas a unifying influence among the Moslems of the Maghreb.\n1\nJune 1947 Escape of Abd-el-Krim while en route to France after twenty-one years of\nexile on Reunion Island.\n7 June 1947 Replacement of Eirik Labonne by General Alphonse-Pierre Juin as Resi-\ndent General of France in Morocco.\n20 September 1947\nAlgerian Statute, approved by French National Assembly, became a law.\n5 January 1948\nAnnouncement by the Maghreb Office of the Arab League of the organiza-\ntion in Cairo of the Committee for the Liberation of North Africa under\nthe chairmanship of Abd-el-Krim.\n4-11 April 1948 First general elections ever held in Algeria to vote for members of the Al-\ngerian Assembly established by the Algerian Statute.\n1 September 1948 Death of El Moncef Pasha, deposed Bey of Tunis, left Sidi Mohammed El\nLamine the undisputed native ruler of Tunisia.\n29 May 1949 Visit of Vincent Auriol, President of the Fourth Republic, to Algiers, the\nfirst French chief of state to do so since the visit of Gaston Doumergue,\nPresident of the Third Republic, in 1930.\n21 November 1949 Resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly for an inde-\npendent and sovereign Libya (including the French-occupied Fezzan) no\nlater than January 1952.\nSECRET\n11410\nITALY\nPORTUGAL\nSARDINIA\nBALEAR(Spain) ISLANDS\n(Italy)\nSPAIN\n0\nATLANTIC\nITERRANEAX\nN\nS E A\nINTANGIER ZONE Я\nE\nD\nM\nMITIDJA\nALGIERS\nBougie\nilippeville\nKROUMIRIE\nSICILY\nTETUAN\nLegales\nBizerte\nOCEAN\nSP.\nMOROCCO\nMers-el-Kebir\nArzew\nTUNIS\nCape Bon\nBo\nKelibia\nPort Lyautey\nA\nT\nS\nConstantine\nHenchir-Lebna\nE\nSouk Ahras\nRABAT\nMazagan\nCasablanca\nGap Taza\nOujda\nAin Beida\nFez\nSousse\nBou Saada\nMALTA\nMeknes\nAURES\nHaidra\n(U.K.)\nTebessa:\nTHE\nBerguent\nKhouribga\nATLAS\nHIGH\nATLAS\nS\nKasserine\nle\nSafi\nKreider\nOumach\nSTEPPE\nZem\nGentil\nMogador\nSSAHARAN\nLaghouat\nSHOTT\nSfax\nM-MIDDELAS\nREGIONI\nGabes\nTozeur\nANTIVATLASOC\nTouggourt\nBeni Ounit\nKenadsa\nALGERIA\nTUNISIA\n/\nBechar\nKSOUR\nTRIPOLI\nSidi Ifni\nAbadia\nTENT\nCape\nWESTERN ERO\nTUNISLAN\nSPANISH\nDEPRESSI\nGadames\nSAHARA\nPLATEAU OF\nTADEMAIT\nLIBYA\nZ\n28\nSAHARAN\nBrach\nSebha\nFRENCH\nWEST AFRICA\nSerdeles\nFEZZAN\nGat\nAHAGGAR\nMASSIF\nFt Laperrine\n(Tamanrasset)\nFRENCH NORTH AFRICA\n20\nSELECTED RAILROAD\nELECTRIFIED SECTION OF RAILROAD\nFRENCH\nSELECTED MAIN ROAD\nWEST\n+\nNAVAL BASE\nGENERALIZED TERRAIN REGIONS\nNAVAL AIR STATION\nAFRICA\nPlain or Lowland\nAIR BASE\nPlateau\nMountains\n20\nBASE: EUROPE ET AFRIQUE DU NORD 1:5,000,000 Sheets No. 3 (1944)\nand No. 5 (1942) Institut Géographique National, Paris\nScale 1:6,500,000\n0\n100\n200\n300\n400\nMILES\n0\n100\n200\n300\n400\nThe international boundaries shown on this map do not\nKILOMETERS\nnecessarily correspond in all cases to the boundaries recog-\nnized by the U.S. Government\n11410 Map Division, CIA, 6-50\nCIA Reproduction\nHARTY ARCHIVES REGORDS NATIONAL TRUNAN AND\nSOVERNM SERVICE\nGPO-SSO-5690"
}