751G.00/6–1750: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
2940. I am frankly disturbed by Gullion’s preliminary report of his conversation with Bao Dai and am cabling accounts of Heath’s and my talks with Auriol and Schuman in hope that discreet use thereof might be useful in changing Bao Dai’s present attitude of cynicism of French intentions. Nobody who knows the characters of Auriol and Schuman could entertain serious doubts as to their sincerity in regard to this matter. Nor could anyone familiar with the political and financial situation in France fail to realize that the great drain on her resources of men and money occasioned by commitments in Indochina is one that they would like to bring to an end as quickly as possible. If Bao Dai is ignorant of the atmosphere now prevailing [Page 823] in France in this regard he should be enlightened. If he is not ignorant of it then his sense of logic should advise him that to use the threat of not returning to Vietnam to extract further concessions at this time when neither he nor his people have yet demonstrated the administrative capacity and determination to carry out their present responsibilities is not going to make his representations forceful in France. There is much to be said for Sulzberger’s admonition that he cease being photographed hunting tigers, and become a real commander-in-chief of a native army, the recruitment of which he should stimulate instead of clamoring for paper digities at a time when the newspapers of France are filled with photographs of Frenchmen who have died in Indochina and which are also likely to be filled shortly with accounts of his activities on the Riviera under conditions which will contrast vividly with those of jungle warfare.
Department pass Saigon. Sent Department 2940, repeated information priority Saigon 145.