851G.00/1–2247: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
122. During course of a call by Embassy officer on Foreign Office official in connection with another matter, latter vouchsafed information that French in Indo-China had felt out Chinese officials there regarding possibility of a new regime headed by Bao Dai42 (reported to be in Hong Kong) in executive capacity with support of Annamite Nationalist Party. Foreign Office official indicated any revival imperial idea in this area would be unsatisfactory to China.
Informant also gave his opinion that French were determined not to treat with Ho Chi-Minh, and that calculated purpose of Moutet’s recent mission to Indo-China was to retrieve French position by rupture of agreement with Ho, which Moutet had signed.
- Former Emperor of Annam, known also as Nguyen Vinh Thuy.↩