751G.00/6–2254: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy at Saigon1
8. Saigon’s 2873 rptd Paris 1021 Geneva 259 Hanoi unn.2 If Vietnamese authorities inquire possibility US assistance evacuating sizable elements civilian population Tonkin you should say that if the question were to arise on emergency basis as result of continuing military operations, as distinct from peaceful settlement by which Tonkin would be left in Viet Minh hands, we assume evacuation would have to be by sea or air and that under these circumstances it would in fact be most unlikely that sea or air transportation facilities which we would have available or be able to assemble in time would suffice for movement of any sizable number. For your information all available shipping would presumably have to be used for troops and next priority accorded to French and selected residents delta.
Re fifth paragraph your 2932 rptd Paris 1041, Geneva 271,3 if Geneva talks result in agreement which would permit peaceful mass evacuation Tonkin population we assume arrangements would encompass means whereby evacuation would be accomplished and that some of people would move overland. See in this connection item 6 of communication to French Government set forth Deptel 4853 to Paris rptd Saigon 2748.4