In order that you may be kept fully informed on developments in
relation to Indochina, there has been prepared the memorandum
attached hereto.
[Annex]
[Washington,] November 2,
1944.
Recent Developments in Relation to
Indochina
The following are recent developments in relation to Indochina:
Colombo48 has reported that:
The British staff at headquarters of SEAC has protested to the
British Chiefs of Staff in London against the inclusion of
Indochina in the theatre under the new United States Army
Commanding General in China, urging that Indochina be included
in the SEAC theatre.
The French Military Mission, which is large, has arrived in
Ceylon and has received American approval and is now recognized
openly and officially. Apparently, General Blaizot has not yet
arrived. Baron de Langlade who parachuted into Indochina some
weeks ago with a letter of introduction from de Gaulle is also
in Ceylon. He spent twenty-four hours with French Army officers
in Indochina, and stated, upon his return that a basis for a
French resistance movement exists
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there, but reportedly declined to say more
until Blaizot’s arrival. Blaizot, a Lieutenant General, was
formerly Chief of Staff in Indochina. He is a “colonial”
general.
Although SEAC was advised specifically that only military, and
not political, questions might be discussed with the French
Mission, political questions are in fact under discussion.
The British SOE49 which is actively engaged in undercover
operations in Indochina has recently received orders from the
Foreign Office that they should have nothing to do with any
Annamite or other native organizations in Indochina, but are to
devote their efforts to the French.
The OWI50 representative at New Delhi has received
indication that the British wish OWI activities directed at the
native populations in Thailand and Indochina be eliminated so as
not to stir up native resistance to the Japanese and so incite
the Japanese to send more troops into those areas. Colombo
states that it is apparent SOE desires severely to restrict
OSS51 operations in the SEAC theatre and to give
SOE preeminence or, failing that, to establish combined SOE–OSS
operations.
British propaganda agencies are emphasizing the recent appeal by
the French War Ministry for recruits to participate in the
campaign for liberation of Indochina on the ground that news of
any French military efforts to recover Indochina would encourage
the French in Indochina. OWI has so far refrained from
mentioning the French appeal or other phases of French
preparations for military participation fearing the adverse
effect on the native populations in Indochina and elsewhere in
the Far East on the restoration of the status
quo ante which such preparations would appear to imply.
OWI has specifically requested State Department guidance on
United States policy in this regard, and have been advised to be
silent on the subject despite the anticipated British
broadcasts.
General Donovan has submitted to the Secretary of State a report
from the OSS representative in SEAC reading in part:
“There can be little doubt that the British and Dutch have
arrived at an agreement with regard to the future of
Southeast Asia, and now it would appear that the French are
being brought into the picture. …52 It would appear that the strategy of
the British, Dutch and French is to win back and control
Southeast Asia, making the fullest use possible of American
resources, but foreclosing the Americans from any voice in
policy matters.”
