851G.00/4–2947: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Saigon
71. Annamese businessman Canton rated fairly reliable stated Mar 18 Chinese Govt (1) not yet committed either French or Baodai and is negotiating Ho’s representative Nanking, (2) would support Ho if he guarantees abandon communism, allow eradication Chinese Communists Indochina and reaffirms Chinese rights Haiphong and Yunnan railway and economic privileges, and (3) would prefer make this deal and abandon Baodai owing Ho’s popular support.
Dept would appreciate being kept fully up date on views Chinese officials and ConGens Indochina on present Vietnam Govt and French policies and on their appraisal situation Indochina. Consider this important not only because significance position Chinese Indochina but because Chinese, who would be among chief losers should Kremlin-orientated state emerge Indochina, should prove a weathervane of trends within Vietnam connected with influence Communists in Vietnam Govt. Dept recognizes, however, that since all three extra-national elements in Indochina (Kmt Chinese, French, and Communists) would each tend naturally be engaged on separate fronts with aim eliminating other two, Chinese cannot be expected follow clear and simple policy, but Dept assumes any Vietnam Govt acceptable Chinese Govt, may be considered on face free of predominant connections Communist International. Evidence so far conflicting. Urtel 136 Apr 2985 and other reports indicate Chinese supporting Baodai in hope supplanting Ho’s Govt with one under Chinese influence, and urtel 80 Feb 27 quotes Chinese ConGen Saigon as believing Vietminh completely controlled by Communist elements whose idea of nationalist state is but prelude to eventual Communist state. O’Sullivan, however, after dinner with Tu Ve authorities Hanoi in company Chinese ConGen Hanoi, Jan 22, stated he amazed close relationship Chinese and Vietnamese. Further, report which Dept treats with great reserve quotes Annamese businessman in China Apr 2 as stating Wu Tieh Chen, Kmt secretary, promised Ho’s representative Chinese Govt would not interfere Vietminh purchases arms Kwangsi or their shipment Tonkin.
Sent Saigon 71. Repeated Nanking 526 and Hanoi 44 for action and Paris 1632 for info.
- Not printed.↩