Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

751G.00/4–2354: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at Paris¹

top secret
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Washington, April 23, 1954—10:58 a.m.

Tedul 5. Eyes only for the Secretary. The following is a message from the President:

“Dear Foster: My first reaction upon reading your report on your initial conversation with Bidault² is to assure you of my full understanding of the feeling of frustration that must consume you. I refer particularly to our earlier efforts to get French to ask for internationalization of the war, and to get the British to appreciate the seriousness of the situation of Dien Bien Phu and the probable result on the entire war of defeat at that place. There is little I can say now to help you rally the spirits and determination of our allies, but I am so confident of the unity of convictions you and I hold on these and related matters that I do not even feel the need of assuring you again of my complete support.

“I do suggest that you make sure the British Government fully appreciates the gravity of the situation and the great danger of French collapse in that region. The British must not be able merely to shut their eyes and later plead blindness as an alibi for failing to propose a positive program.

“Winston has cabled me asking to come over here about 20 May.³ I have no objection to a full and frank talk, but I am bound to say that I see no profit in it unless they are ready to look facts in the face and take and support obviously necessary decisions. I shall not answer him until I hear from you. I shall not be back in Washington for several days.

“In the meantime, I am thankful, on behalf of America, that we have in you such a skilled and devoted representative to support our interests in these fateful days.

“With warm regard, D.D.E.”

Smith

1. Typed from a message from the White House.
2. See telegram Dulte 2, Apr. 22, p. 1361.
3. The message from Prime Minister Churchill has not been identified. For President Eisenhower’s reply of Apr. 26, suggesting that no plans for a meeting be worked out until Secretary Dulles returned to Washington, see volume vi.