851G.00/5–647: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Hanoi (O’Sullivan) to the Secretary of State
151. ReDeptel 44, May 3, 1 p.m.86 Mytel May 3, 11 a.m.,87 explained attitude Chinese Consul General immediately before his departure for Shanghai.
Chinese Consul General here (Yuen) apparently has always been considerably less disturbed by activities of both Chinese and Vietnam Communists than his confrere (Ing) in Saigon, which may account for discrepancy in official Chinese attitude here and that in Saigon. However, Chinese circles here state that Yuen is higher ranking officer than Ing and that Foreign Office has given Yuen very wide discretionary powers re Chinese policy here.
Yuen, who has been here since October ’45, has never waivered in his support Vietnam Government against French. He has stated over and over again during past year that one people should not hold another in bondage (conveniently forgetting Chinese presence in Sinkiang). He believes March 6 agreement reached simply by desire both French and Vietnam to rid country of Chinese armies occupation. But he maintains that Vietnam, even though it be Communist dominated, should be given its independence. He reasons that if Vietnam were independent and began to play Moscow game too strongly Chinese would be able to handle situation. However, he has expressed fear of results here if France retains its place in Indochina and French Communist Party subsequently gains control French Government. Under such circumstances he believes Chinese Government would have much more difficulty in containing situation.
He considers: (1) French wish reinstall same regime as previous to war; (2) Ho has almost complete support of people; (3) French have insufficient troops and material to reach military decision here; (4) French do not understand world has changed in past 7 years.
It should be recalled in appraising Yuen’s attitude that [area?] with 100,000 Chinese in Tonkin he has probably more and better sources of information than even French. His attitude toward French seems conditioned by trying to prove that China, not France, is fourth of Big Five.
Repeat to Paris.