7510.5!7–2753: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
337. Repeated information Saigon 50. Saigon telegram 163, July 24 (Paris 51).1 While I agree on desirability and need for additional [Page 701] French battalions requested by General Navarre for Indochina, 1 think we must keep in mind delicate state of situation here where questioning of continuation French effort in Indochina has in past month or so reached greater intensity than ever before and where critics of present government deputy are ready to jump on any doubtful act regarding Indochina which provides opportunity for criticism. In view present Parliamentary attitude, it is obviously impossible even to consider sending “contingent” troops to Indochina. While there seems to be possibility that Navarre will obtain additional technicians and officers and non-coms for training Vietnamese troops, no one here seems to think that government will be able to let him have the number of additional battalions he has requested.
In view of general French attitude on this question, we do not think we should try to force issue on having French send these additional battalions. If they should bring matter up, we could and should express our opinion as favoring such action, particularly in light of General O’Daniel’s findings. However, I do not believe we would accomplish our purpose if we urged such action on our own initiative. For government to take such action on its own is one thing, but for it to be put in position under present circumstances of having done so under United States pressure would make it very vulnerable to its critics, some of whom are already speaking of trading French blood for United States dollars.
In this general connection, high ranking French military officer has told Embassy officer that Navarre informed him at time of his departure that his demands had been generally “satisfied”.