A group of Arab nationalists has confronted the U.N. General Assembly, convening in New York this week, with one of those practical moral and political problems which, from time to time, make the U.N. a genuine world forum. Since the U.S. will have a decisive voice in the debate, the problem is one for all Americans: What is the U.S. attitude towards modern colonialism?
Arab Rights. The specific issue is the right of the Arabs, claiming to represent 90% of the population of Morocco and Tunisia, to sovereignty in those countries. Both Morocco and Tunisia are French protectorates (i.e., colonies) administered by French Residents-General under treaties imposed by force on the
Moslem sovereigns, the Bey of Tunis (1881) and the Sultan of Morocco (1912). Last week the French cabinet decided that it would "accept no [outside] interference in these questions which relate essentially to the national competence of France."
The French were basing their case on the U.N. Charter, Article 2, paragraph 7, which provides that the U.N. is not authorized "to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state." Great Britain, also a colonial power, announced that it will support the French. But 14 Arab and Asian countries propose that the problem be discussed by the General Assembly. The U.S., which has supported France in its noninterference position, is now wavering. Members of the U.S. delegation recoil before the accusation from the small nations (and the U.S.S.R.) that the U.S. is refusing to let a complaint even be heard.
French Systems. The essence of the problem lies in the nature of modern colonialism. This is illustrated in the systems of control developed by the French in their three North African territories:
¶Algeria (pop. 9,000,000) : an area more than three times the size of Texas, mostly desert. Algeria is now an integral part of metropolitan France, has 30 members in the French National Assembly, 14 members in the Senate, and 18 counselors in the Assembly of the French Union, which meets at Versailles. There is universal suffrage for all over 21, except for Moslem women, who by tradition take no part in public affairs.
¶Tunisia (pop. 3,250,000): an area about the size of New York State, dominated by the Mediterranean city of Tunis. Since Tunisia is not a member of the French Union, established in 1946, it has no representative in the French National Assembly or in the Assembly of the French Union. The French community in Tunisia, however, has two members in the French Council of the Republic.
¶Morocco (pop. 959,000): an area somewhat larger than California. Like Tunisia, Morocco is not a member of the French Union and continues to be administered by a French Resident-General. The French community has three representatives in the French Council.