751J.11/4–2353: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Department of State
niact
5644. Sent Saigon niact 224 repeated information Department niact 5644. From Dulles. Letourneau suggested to Secretary 23rd April that the French had been endeavoring to get the King of Laos to leave his capital where he was in imminent danger of capture by advancing Communist forces. Letourneau feared King would make noble gesture and refuse to leave.
Letourneau feared that if captured, Communists would set King up as Communist figurehead and be utilized as peddler of Communist line. Felt this would have disastrous results in entire area. Requested that our people make earnest plea to him to leave.
Secretary feels there may be merit in this suggestion and stated he would pass it along. For your information Secretary says he had insufficient knowledge of local situation to know whether such action on our part desirable but passing it on for action at your discretion.