851G.00/12–2346
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Vincent) to the Under Secretary of State (Acheson)
The serious implications of the fighting between the French and the Vietnamese which took place in the Tonkinese towns of Haiphong and Langson during the week of November 20–27 were noted in a memorandum to you of November 26.86 It was feared at that time that a showdown by force was in the making. This now appears to have eventuated. For the past six days, open war has been raging in Tonkin and at several points in Annam. The Vietnamese Government [Page 76] has fled Hanoi and the French are endeavoring to clear the city of remaining Vietnamese guerillas with planes and tanks. Vietnamese casualties during the past month are probably now well over 2,000. Although French casualties have been far lighter, Sainteny (Commissioner for Tonkin and northern Annam) was himself seriously wounded four days ago.
You may wish to make the following points when you see Ambassador Bonnet this afternoon:
- 1.
- We are deeply concerned by the outbreak of war in Tonkin and Annam and by the apparent severance of most of the contacts between the French and the Vietnamese and are fully aware of the unhappy position in which the French have been placed;
- 2.
- We are gratified by the news that M. Moutet (Minister for Overseas France) is proceeding immediately by air to Indochina to obtain first-hand information on the situation;
- 3.
- We are aware that such unsettled conditions as now prevail in
northern Indochina offer provocation to outside interference and
are disturbed lest:
- a.
- The conflict be brought up before the Security Council as a threat to peace;
- b.
- Other powers attempt some form of intervention, in which connection it may be noted that the Chinese press has reported that the dispatch of Chinese troops to the area is being considered owing to the heavy losses sustained by the local Chinese in the November fighting;
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For your information:
Although the French in Indochina have made far-reaching paper-concessions to the Vietnamese desire for autonomy, French actions on the scene have been directed toward whittling down the powers and the territorial extent of the Vietnam “free state”. This process the Vietnamese have continued to resist. At the same time, the French themselves admit that they lack the military strength to reconquer the country. In brief, with inadequate forces, with public opinion sharply at odds, with a government rendered largely ineffective through internal division, the French have tried to accomplish in Indochina what a strong and united Britain has found it unwise to attempt in Burma. Given the present elements in the situation, guerilla warfare may continue indefinitely.
In connection with the possibility of Chinese intervention in Indochina, the Chinese Embassy in London has approached the Foreign Office to propose joint Chinese-British intervention in Indochina and the Chinese Embassy in Paris has approached our Embassy in Paris to propose Chinese-British-American intervention. It is believed that the Chinese Embassy here may approach us to the same purpose. If [Page 77] so, it is considered that we should reply as the British replied, to the effect that Moutet is en route to Indochina to review the situation, that the French line in Indochina will probably be clarified as French internal politics emerge from their present confusion, and that an offer of mediation at this time would probably be resented and rejected by the French.
- Not printed.↩