751G.00/4–2354: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Department of State
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Dulte 7. Eyes only for Acting Secretary from Secretary. Please inform President and Radford urgently that Bidault received in middle of afternoon Council session1 copy of message from Navarre to Laniel which he gave me to read.2 He will talk to me further on subject at dinner tonight but in brief situation at Dien Bien Phu is desperate. Attempt to regain Huguette has claimed last reserves. Only alternatives Navarre sees are (1) Operation Vautour which would be massive B–29 bombing (which I understand would be US operation from US bases outside Indochina) or (2) request for cease-fire (which I assume would be at Dien Bien Phu and not throughout all Indochina.)
I told Bidault B–29 intervention as proposed seemed to me out of question under existing circumstances but that I would report all this urgently to the President and that I would discuss it with Admiral Radford immediately upon latter’s arrival in Paris tomorrow evening.
Bidault gives the impression of a man close to the breaking point. His mental condition at this morning’s session was greatly improved over yesterday, but it has been painful to watch him presiding over the Council at this afternoon’s long session. He is obviously exhausted and is confused and rambling in his talk.