751G.00/5–3150: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
2585. For Department only. As seen from Paris, consequences of Secretary’s talks with Schuman resulting in announced determination of US to assist in effort to deny Indochina to Soviet, present us with problem of which following are controlling elements:
Success of policy depends upon encouragement and support of both local nationalism and French effort in Indochina. Should either of these forces fail, i.e., should popular support be lost to governments of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, or conversely, should French relax or abandon effort which Schuman so aptly described as military and financial hemorrhage on metropole, area would fall without delay to Viet Minh. US, therefore, finds itself supporting joint effort of France and non-Communist nationalists of three associated states. Yet these two forces, brought together only by common danger of Communist imperialism are inherently antagonistic and gains of one will be to some extent at expense of other. Therefore, implementation of US policy, more particularly by US Government officials in Indochina, is highly difficult and delicate. Both French who must retain feeling that they are fighting for something, and natives, whose principal [Page 820] emotional preoccupation is to rid themselves of French presence and influence, will inevitably seek to utilize American officials in Indochina for ends which by increasing inherent antagonism between two partners, will be detrimental to success of undertaking.
It seems to us that under these circumstances the Department, in connection with the organizational problems presented by the expected presence in Indochina of missions including personnel drawn from several government agencies and private life, will wish to consider the necessity for a centralized system for complete and thorough briefing of all officials proceeding to Indochina on basic aspects of situation and US policy to furnish guidance for a line of speech and action, official and unofficial, reflecting that policy. Such guidance would also be useful for us here in dealing with French officials.
Department pass Saigon. Sent Department 2585, repeated information Saigon 121.