FALSE CALM IN MOROCCO

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27750, 30 August 1955, Page 11

FALSE CALM IN MOROCCO

More Terrorism Feared

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) PARIS, August 29. A false appearance of calm was reported from Morocco today as the French High Command, aware of underground agitation, moved reinforcements into all strategic spots throughout the country. In all towns and medinas (Arab sections) the French and Moroccan populations were awaiting anxiously the vital decision to be taken by the French cabinet, due to meet again today to discuss Morocco's future. A recrudescence of terrorism was reported from many parts of Morocco in the last 48 hours. European residents fear new bloody demonstrations tomorrow when Moroccans celebrate the feast of the Moslem new year. New restrictions have been imposed on the 20,000 United States airmen and relatives serving the three big air bases in Morocco.

An order from Major-General Frederick E. Glantzberg, commanding the 17th Air Force, said that tension in the protectorate “will probably increase during the next two weeks.’’ Everywhere in Morocco crops were reported set on fire during last night. About 1500 suspects were detained bv French forces in the Oued Zem, Khenifra, and Khouribga areas, and 750 rifles were seized-

The French Cabinet met yesterday in an attempt to overcome the remaining obstacles to a “New Deal’’ aimed at bringing peace and partial independence to Morocco. The Cabinet heard a report from the five Ministers who took part in last week’s negotiations with the Moroccan leaders which ended at the a ]pine spar Aix-les-Bains yesterday. The French plan is believed to have been agreed in principle, but with certain conditions oy the Moroccan leaders, whose co-operation is needed for its success.

The French Prime Minister (Mr Faure). anxious to avoid further bloodshed, is making a determined effort to win over the more reluctant among his conservative Cabinet colleagues in support of the proposed settlement. This is believed to involve the formation of a Moroccan Government by September 1?. Regency Council Plan The proposed settlement provides for the replacement of the. aged Sultan Mohammed Ben Arafa by a Regency Council, which would appoint a representative government. This government would then negotiate a new treaty with France to give the territory a large measure of selfgovernment

The Resident-General (Mr Gilbert Grandval) urged a similar plan 10 days ago, but his proposals were rejected, and a bloody wave of violence which followed caused the death of about 2000 Moroccans and Europeans before comparative calm was restored.

Now, in what observers in Paris regard as a paradoxical turn of events, the plan is likely to be accepted only if the Resident-General is offered as a sacrifice. The man whom most Nationalist Moroccans see as the best suited to carry through the “New Deal’’ is expected to go. if not today, then not later than next week. Yesterday, as Cabinet discussions attempted to obtain agreement, the Resi-dent-General was already reported to have submitted his resignation to the Government.

His personal position is virtually untenable because of the attitude of the die lard settlers in Morocco, and he has been abandoned by a number of his advisers and officials. But he has become the symbol of reform for the hundreds of thousands of Moroccans packing the Arab quarters. and his departure might lead to a violent reaction.