740.0011 P.W./3–1245: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 15—7 p.m.]
411. French Ambassador told me last night he had information that Langson had been captured by Japs, that there was street fighting progressing in Hanoi, and that in Moncay a French garrison of 1,000 with 20 officers was still holding out. (ReEmbs 403, March 11, 11 a.m.3) He said he did not yet know whether any French troops had endeavored to cross into China. Some time ago he had approached the Generalissimo with regard to that possibility and Chiang had said that French troops would be welcomed and assisted. Ho Ying-chin has recently made a similar statement, but he himself was doubtful whether any definite plans for receiving French refugee soldiers in China had been worked out or would prove very effective.
- Not printed.↩