851G.00/12–2046: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Officers82
Amb Paris states Moutet, Minister Overseas, will leave soon visit all parts Indochina confer with Ho Chi Minh after which he will go Nanking discuss Chinese relations with Indochina. D’Argenlieu will arrive Indochina same time as Moutet. Caffery says83 question French policy Indochina was important factor during recent political crisis, opinion being sharply increasingly divided on subject. Left-wing parties defended liberal policy toward Vietnam, accusing d’Argenlieu, French military, civilian authorities Indochina of sabotaging Mar 6 agreement and modus vivendi. Radical Socialists, MRP and other center and rightwing parties accused Moutet of giving away France’s most valuable colony, demanded firmer attitude toward Ho and Vietnam. In speech to Assembly, Communist Duclos spoke of need for policy protecting interests French union, maintaining interests France everywhere in world. He warned France must not make Indochina same mistakes that cost her position Levant. This moderate but cryptic statement reflects recent Communist caution re Indochina which generally interpreted as designed avoid opposing public opinion which is increasingly anxious over possibility losing Indochina. Caffery remarks Blum Govt’s decision send both Moutet, [Page 75] d’Argenlieu Indochina seems be compromise which avoids any decision betw[een] opposing advocates of firm and conciliatory policy. He doubts whether such comp can hope solve successfully serious crisis which arisen Indochina.