Elsenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file
Memorandum of Presidential Telephone Conversation, April 24, 19541
Approximately 9:50 President was called by General Smith, who said the situation in France was evolving so rapidly it was difficult to give any considered appraisal. The EDC situation has somewhat approved [improved], but the French attitude toward Indo-China has deteriorated greatly. (Background information on all this is being sent down in coded messages.)
[Page 1382]General Gruenther says he has never seen French morale so low. No one can tell what will happen—government may fall.
General Smith said Eden has grave doubts that Britain would cooperate in any activity in that area. He expressed the view that there should be prompt military consultation Washington. He did not think Churchill’s cable was related to the present situation.
French military view is that the whole thing is washed out unless we can intervene. (There was something here about “2,600 of them”—General Smith thought closer to 600–800—don’t know what it was).2
Laniel and Bidault have said that if they could have some sort of token support on planes, that they would continue to fight.
The President said that the French want us to come in as junior partners and provide materials, etc., while they themselves retain the authority in that region. He cannot go along with them on that or any such notion. He pointed out that Eden is wrong in thinking that the 200,000 soldiers there should not be utilized. President believes Eden ought to talk to his own military people—said certainly you would rather fight where you have got those troops to fight with, rather than in some place like Burma or Thailand.
General Smith said that the Consultative Group work had been held up, but he would try to see that they came up with some recommendations.
President suggested General Smith send a cable to Radford saying it would be well on his return to stop over in Britain to consult with the British staff and to ask them baldly why they would prefer to fight after they have lost 200,000 French?
President asked General Smith to have someone work on a draft of a message for him when Dien Bien Phu falls.
General Smith said the first paratroop battalion was not up to full strength.
He also said there is some argument between Navarre and De Castries.
O’Daniel has worked out a plan for the relief of the garrison, very similar to the plan suggested by the President the other day (possibility of going in from two other directions). He is a little sensitive about passing the plan up to Navarre. He is giving it to Dejon(?) [Dejean] who is sending it to Navarre without divulging where it came from.
Bidault is in his bad mental condition partially because he realizes what the repercussions will be—it will be said that the US did not go [Page 1383] in because the French politicians refused to allow them in as a member of a group.