Office of the Historian

Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file, Dulles–Herter series

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the President

Washington, August 2, 1954.

Subject:

  • Indochina Statement1

I have given considerable thought to the possibility of issuing a statement about certain heretofore unclarified aspects of the Indochina matter.

I got together a large amount of documentation which I studied over the weekend.

I came to the conclusion that it was not possible at this time to issue anything like a full “White Paper”. This would require the consent of other governments to publish exchanges of notes, etc., which consent would surely be unobtainable at this time.

I composed the annexed, which is limited to two aspects: (1) the French suggestions for U.S. air action in Indochina; and (2) our efforts for “united action.”

I think that something along these lines could be published without impropriety so far as regards foreign governments, although probably [Page 1899] the proposed texts should be submitted to Aldrich and Dillon for their observations in this respect.

The statement would have the advantage of dispelling generally accepted rumors such as the United States proposed an air strike to save Dien Bien Phu, and the British vetoed it. The statement would have disadvantages. It might reopen controversy between Britain and France, although I have tried to avoid any provocative statements and have toned down differences. Perhaps more important is that it gives the Communists a “case study” of how we operate in these matters from the standpoint of our own Constitution and our desire not to “go it alone.” This might tempt them in the future to try to make some close calculations—perhaps miscalculations—to our disadvantage.

I submit the matter to you for your verdict.

John Foster Dulles

  1. At his news conference of July 21, President Eisenhower stated that the United States might possibly release a history of its role in the Indochina crisis. (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1954, p. 648) Secretary Dulles received confirmation of the President’s interest in such a statement during telephone conversations with Press Secretary Hagerty on July 21 and with the President on July 26. (Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”) Drafts prepared in the Department of State with the active participation of the Secretary, and related material, may be found in file 751G.00; PPS files, lot 65 D 101, “Indochina”; Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Indochina”; and Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file, Dulles–Herter series.

    This memorandum was accompanied by a draft statement which is not printed. According to notes filed with the source text, the President read the draft on Aug. 3 and made certain corrections. For the text of the statement as approved by the President, see telegram 689 to London, Aug. 3, p. 1915.

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