751G.00/5–254: Telegram
Dulles–Eden Meeting, Geneva, May 1, Evening: The Secretary of State to the Department of State
Dulte 42. Repeated information London 107. Limit distribution. London eyes only Ambassador. After Palais meeting yesterday, I asked Eden if British would not reconsider decision and agree now to participate in ad hoc group of ten, informal talks starting promptly in Washington. I told him of Bidault’s press conference with selected group Americans previous evening, of which he was uninformed. I stressed that as matters stood, French literally had no alternative to disguised surrender. Eden indicated he would give matter thought, but closed conversation with remark he had congenital dislike for giving public impression of talking about something which he was not prepared to do, i.e., intervene militarily in Indochina.
[Page 649]After dinner I gave last night for Eden, General Smith1 and I hit Eden (with Reading present) again on this subject. I made point we were seeking some form military support of French in Indochina which would reduce drain on French manpower without calling for replacement by Allied ground forces. I said I did not believe this was beyond the military wit to devise. I then said what we sought was British support and if military support was not available then at least moral support in the common endeavor to prevent loss all of Indochina. Failure of British to rally to our side would almost certainly produce consequences extending beyond that area. Between General Smith and myself, I believe we gave Eden far clearer detailed picture of our intent and purposes than he had had before. I feel that Eden was definitely impressed and during course of prolonged conversation indicated he recognized distinction between fighting in Vietnam on one hand and aggression against Laos and Cambodia on the other. He also tentatively indicated willingness join coalition which would fight external aggression in area to include Thailand and Burma (which he was hopeful being able persuade to join) as well as Malaya.
- Under Secretary of State Walter Bedell Smith arrived in Geneva on May 1; on May 3 he succeeded Secretary of State Dulles as head of the U.S. Delegation.↩