751G.00/7–954: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
[Received 6:13 p.m.]
109. Repeated information London 25, Saigon 10. If National Assembly should authorize dispatch of conscripts to Indochina in the event there is no settlement by July 20, we believe that such vote would have entirely different significance now than it would have had one or two months ago. Principal purpose, as Mendes-France has said, would be to safeguard security of the Expeditionary Corps, “Frenchmen coming to aid other Frenchmen.” There was no implication of prolonged continuation of the war to stem Communist aggression or to safeguard any specified portion of Vietnam, despite warning that France would not capitulate.
We believe chances of Assembly approving dispatch conscripts after July 20 depend entirely on position Expeditionary Corps at that time. If their lives depend on it, it will probably be approved, but it is doubtful if it could be passed for any lesser reason.
If there is no settlement by July 20, and Mendes-France falls after having obtained vote on conscripts, it is our belief that successor government would be under same pressure to come to terms with Communists as was the previous government, and in fact under greater pressure. For majority of those voting for dispatch of conscripts would do so only in belief that it would facilitate return of the Expeditionary Corps, and fact that conscripts would be involved would inevitably further heighten pressure for an early end to the war.