On 5 February 1952, His Highness the Bey of Tunisia sends a letter to Jean de Hauteclocque, French Resident-General in Tunis, in which he emphasises the extreme severity and disproportion of the repressive measures imposed by the French authorities in the country, which are jeopardising the safety of people and goods and the exercise of Tunisian sovereignty. Since early 1952, the country has been facing a serious political crisis, coupled with violent clashes between those in favour of independence and the French army.