751G.00/6–1750: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
2939. I took Heath to call on Mr. Schuman last night. The Foreign Minister said that his government was absolutely resolved to implement [Page 822] the terms of the March 8 agreements in a liberal spirit and regarded them as a minimum of what it intended to do toward advancing the establishment of independent states in Indochina functioning within the framework of the French Union. He said that neither he nor any other member of the government would permit any deviation from this policy which its executants had been advised should be loyally observed and carried out by them and if they failed to do so they would be summarily dismissed. He added that in the event of the defeat of the Communists and the pacification of Indochina, the French would continue their efforts to aid in the strengthening of the authority of the associated states and would have no disposition whatever to alter their desire to withdraw from their present commitments there.
He said that of course he was fully aware that there were minor functionaries and colonists who dreaded the diminution of French influence but that they were energetically weeding out the former and that through Carpentier and Pignon on the military and civil sides respectively they had succeeded in staffing the higher posts with officers wholly faithful to their instructions. He spoke appreciatively of US aid to Indochina, of our comprehension of the problems there, and washed Heath of whom he had received most flattering accounts the greatest measure of success in his mission.
Sent priority Department 2939. Department pass Saigon. Repeated info priority Saigon 144.