851G.00/8–246: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:16 p.m.]
3801. Viet Nam delegation at Fontainebleau conference yesterday broke off negotiations on ground that French have violated March 6 accord by convoking new conference at Dalat. Head of delegation alleged that French intend to use new Dalat conference (to which Viet Nam was not invited) to engineer their own statute for Indo-Chinese federation and to fix future of Cochin China and other areas claimed by Viet Nam. He added that Fontainebleau conference is not terminated but only suspended until French clear up this “equivocal” situation. Delegation will remain at Fontainebleau for time being and is prepared to maintain contact with French delegates on unofficial basis.
This decision has been received by press as a kind of bomb shell although reports had been current that conference was entering a [Page 50] critical stage and that he [Ho] Chi Minh would depart soon for Indo-China. Press reaction has followed expected lines with left-wing organs justifying decision while right-wing and radical papers accuse Viet Nam of blackmail and insist that France has perfect right to consult other peoples of Indochina in parallel Dalat conference.
Radical Aurore demands that France shall not “abdicate” in Indochina and adopts Epoque line in charging that “other imperialisms” are utilizing Viet Nam for own purposes.
Monde insists that France is playing role of impartial arbiter and must not retreat before ultimatum. Monde also takes off gloves with respect to Ho Chi Minh, recalling that he was friend of Doriot and that in 1945 he publicly expressed determination to “break off all relations with French people”.
Independent Ordre says showdown has come and France must not give in.
Among defenders of Viet Nam Communist Humanité is most outspoken. Independent’s Combat continues to stress “the flagrant dissonance” between French statements in Paris and French policy in Indochina which has recently amounted to a “provocation”. Combat expects serious repercussions in Indochina.
Caught in the middle, both Socialists and MRP are embarrassed and worried. Populaire blames Admiral d’Argenlieu for unjustifiable policy which must be repudiated by French Government. L’Aube, on other hand, takes aggrieved [stand?] and insists Dalat conference is entirely proper under March 6 accord.
Baudet, one of Foreign Office delegates at Fontainebleau, admits situation is serious but believes conference will resume in a week or 10 days. He insists new Dalat conference is only exploratory and consultative. Baudet once again indicated French officials are not particularly anxious to speed up work of Fontainebleau conference and are quite willing for relations with Viet Nam to continue under present agreement until the pacification of Indochina and particularly Cochin China is completed. He added that security situation in Cochin China is more serious than French public is aware.
Sent Dept as 3801; Dept please repeat to Saigon; repeated London as 578.