751G.00/5–1254: Telegram
The Chargé at Saigon (McClintock) to the Department of State
[Received May 13—2:45 a.m.]
2354. Repeated information Paris 821, Geneva 90. Former Prime Minister Tam called on me yesterday evening. He confirmed previous reports reaching us of increasing political disintegration, particularly in South Vietnam, and seemed very dubious if much could be done to redress situation. He dismissed recent published pronouncements by splinter parties and religious sects professing fealty to Bao Dai and announcing forthcoming visit to France of self-appointed “councilors” to His Majesty as a typical stratagem of Nguyen De. Tam said, “Nguyen De brings these people to Bao Dai and they all agree that they prefer bright weather to rainy weather. This is then proclaimed as new evidence of union around Bao Dai. Furthermore, in this case they get free trip to France”.
Tam said that just before Bao Dai’s departure for France, Giao, Governor of Central Annam, had sent a Viet Minh emissary from Nhatrang to Dalat where he had secretly conferred with Bao Dai presumably on possibility of making arrangement between Viet Minh and present Vietnamese Government. Tam said that at first he was incredulous when this report reached him, but he had checked through sources in Dalat and could now assure me that meeting did, in fact, take place. (However, reliable French source close to Giao assures me that he could under no circumstances have arranged such a meeting since he is anathema to Viet Minh.)
Tam admitted that his son Hinh had dictatorial aspirations and said that he himself had been advised “by certain French sources” to overthrow Bao Dai and assume supreme power himself. However, he had refused to take this step because he was not certain if higher French authorities would countenance such action.
[Page 1545]As for future, Tam was unreservedly gloomy. He saw no hope of overcoming sectarian differences or of incorporating religious private armies into National Army. He said, for example, that recent skirmish at Sadec (Embassy telegram 2353 repeated Paris 820)1 was an open battle between Vietnamese National Army and forces of Hoa Hao. Furthermore, to intensify forces of division complete absence of control by national government over power of appointment of key officials such as regional governors and even prefects of cities—these nominations stemming exclusively from Bao Dai-made it impossible for any Vietnamese Government to administer the country as a responsible government.
Under these circumstances, Tam’s present thinking tends toward acceptance of partition on 16th Parallel and hope that Cochin-Chinese Republic may be formed.2 As for national elections, he said he could win them provided that, when country is disarmed following cease-fire and armistice, sufficient rifles and revolvers are left in hands of his adherents. He said calmly that he had won many elections that way.
- Telegram 2353 from Saigon, May 12, is not printed. (751G.00/5–1254)↩
- In telegram 2387 from Saigon, May 13, the Embassy reported having received information indicating that a movement was under way, involving Tam, to establish a Cochin-Chinese republic. The Embassy said that while not favoring movements leading to the further disruption of the Vietnamese state, it intended to watch this development closely, since a separate Cochin-Chinese state, possibly controlling southern Annam as well, might prove to be one method of holding an area in the south even if the north were lost to the Viet Minh. (751G.00/5–1354)↩