851G.00/12–2346: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Hanoi (O’Sullivan) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—1:35 p.m.]
154. Reasons why Vietnamese attacked French December 19 unclear.
However, theories here are: (1) Result orders from Moscow (a) possibly simply to upset Southeast Asia, (b) possibly to give French Communist Party, should it take power when present Blum Government goes, opportunity to make quick favorable settlement with Vietnamese thus enabling French Communists to pose as “protectors of French interests” thereby increasing CP strength in France; (2) Result settlement Javanese obtained from Holland by fighting while negotiating as Vietnamese apparently lost all hope satisfactory settlement when return d’Argenlieu announced.
Repeat to Paris.