Office of the Historian

751G.00/2–554: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy at Saigon1

secret
Washington, February 5, 1954—7:32 p.m.

1400. For Ambassador. All aspects Indochina situation being given top level consideration here in atmosphere serious concern and desire find ways be helpful. Would appreciate your current views urgently on general situation and specifically with reference following:

(1)
Are there any further political measures which French could take to increase local support for war effort. Would declaration granting self-determination as to membership in French Union be helpful locally (effect in France would of course be a factor in reaching decision).
(2)

Would it be possible secure more active and dynamic conduct on part Bao Dai and possibly other Vietnamese leaders? Department aware your concern this matter. Department wonders whether perhaps suitable communication from President Eisenhower might be helpful in energizing Bao Dai.2

Department assumes you are aware recent military Attache estimates military situation and prospects.

Smith
  1. Drafted by Bonsal of PSA. Repeated to Paris as telegram 2766.↩

  2. Telegram 2892 from Paris, Feb. 8, read as follows: “Deptel 2766 (Saigon 1400) February 5. Re specific suggestion paragraph (1) reftel: In Embassy’s opinion the risk of further reducing French support for continuation of military effort in IC this critical juncture outweighs any advantages IC that might be derived from issuance of declaration granting self-determination as to membership in French Union. Additionally, insofar as Embassy has been able to determine, solution [relation?] Vietnam to French Union should not prove insurmountable problem in course forthcoming Franco-Vietnamese negotiations at Paris.” (751G.5/2–854)

    For the comments of the Embassy at Saigon on both point 1 and point 2, see telegram 1417 from Saigon, Feb. 10, p. 1030.

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