751G.00/3–354: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Achilles) to the Department of State
3171. Repeated information Saigon 350. Limit distribution. Maurice Schumann states that in Cabinet this morning Pleven spoke in only general terms of military situation in Indochina although he would discuss it more fully prior to his appearance before national defense committee. Although relatively optimistic on military situation, Pleven had stated anything approaching satisfactory military solution could not be expected within three years which had been blow to Cabinet. He had stressed adverse effect on morale of fighting forces of rumors of possible negotiations with Ho but had said on other hand that prospects of big power negotiations, such as Geneva, had beneficial effect.