790.5/4–2454: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at Geneva1
priority
Tedul 2. Re Dulte 32 requesting my reaction proposed secret military appraisal by military representatives US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, to determine how bolster Thailand against Communist aggression if French resistance should collapse Indochina. I comment as follows:
- 1.
- Secret military appraisal undertaken by military group excluding French seems impractical and would become known to French whose reaction probably adverse. Furthermore exclusion arrangement would probably diminish and perhaps extinguish any hopes French participation in defense Southeast Asia.
- 2.
- If French resistance should collapse Indochina it is safe assumption that thousands of French officials and civilians and Associated States subjects associated with French will flee for refuge Thailand. [Page 1394] Presence these refugees Thailand would be incentive continued French resistance. French participation in proposed military commission would facilitate handling.
- 3.
- Grave deterioration military situation Indochina coupled with growing French spirit defeatism and fact you have initiated program calling for “united action” point to necessity appraise military situation and examine possible course military action aimed to hold remainder Southeast Asia. I believe action should be initiated immediately.
In connection foregoing Staff Planners to military representatives five powers (US, UK, France, Australia, New Zealand) have had several meetings to exchange intelligence information regarding SEA and to formulate recommendations concerning military situation for presentation respective governments. This working level organization could afford starting point for constitution high level military commission including military representatives five powers Thailand. Such commission might meet Bangkok and should be given adequate responsibility formulate lines action capable protecting Thailand and remainder SEA from Communist aggression. To avoid further depressing French morale terms of reference of group should be based on assumption loss of Indochina not inevitable and should include explicit statement that planning will include measures for defense of Indochina.
I so recommend.
- Drafted by Everett F. Drumright, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, and Kenneth P. Landon, Officer in Charge, Thai and Malayan Affairs. The views set forth in this telegram were presented to Acting Secretary Smith by Drumright in a memorandum of Apr. 23, titled “Establishment of Military Commission To Appraise Military Situation in Southeast Asia.” (790.5/42354)↩
- Dated Apr. 22, p. 1362.↩