751G.00/5–1954: Telegram
The Chargé at Saigon (McClintock) to the Department of State
priority
2468. Repeated information Paris 873, Geneva 134. Last night General O’Daniel and I had a conference with General Ely and DeJean at request of French. Topic was what US could do to train Vietnamese and Cambodian national armies.
O’Daniel set forth his concept of training by American advisors who, as in Korea, would be attached to battalion, regimental and divisional native commanders and laid great stress on need to reorganize Vietnamese and Cambodian armies in divisions, not battalions. He felt that if his strategic concept met with acceptance, Vietnam by October could have an army of perhaps nine divisions which would start in south, and as this army moved north it would gain experience in combat, eventually reaching delta as a battle hardened force. O’Daniel said he had just returned yesterday from visit to officers training school in Cambodia, and talked to Defense Minister Tioulong, and felt that in Cambodia army of three divisions would be created by autumn.
General Ely said that he accepted concept of US training for Vietnamese national army. He likewise agreed that US military advisors should be placed in Vietnamese units. He said, “The sooner you get into this war, the better we will like it.” However, Ely did not give open assent to O’Daniel’s insistence on divisional formation, and he emphasized strongly necessity of unity of command which would remain in French hands. There would be no US participation in operational planning.
I said that acceptance on one hand of US advisors and on other hand to insist there be no US participation in planning might lead to anomalous situation, as in actual fact, particularly under combat conditions, US officers attached to Vietnamese battalions, regiments and [Page 1583] divisions might be compelled to offer advice which would amount to operational decisions. Ely admitted that this might prove to be case, but felt, so long as top command was French, arrangement could be worked out in field.
It was agreed that second meeting will be held May 21 upon Ely’s return from Tonkin. He and O’Daniel will agree on text expressing their understanding and Ely will submit this draft for approval to his government, O’Daniel at same time submitting text for approval of Defense Secretary Wilson in Manila.
It is a pleasure to report this morning DeJean said General Ely had been most favorably impressed by General O’Daniel’s obvious sincerity and singleness of purpose.