396.1 GE/4–2854: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Department of State
Secto 30. Repeated information Saigon 7, Paris 136. Bidault and French delegation concerned at Bao Dai’s attitude and action in going off to Cannes at this point without delegating authority for decisions to any of his people in Paris, or sending any representative to Geneva. Jacquet, who was to have come here this afternoon, has been despatched to Cannes to talk with Bao Dai en route.
Margerie states French, in view of their agreement to discuss participation further with Vietnamese should Communists insist Viet Minh attend in same status, cannot now discuss participation further with Molotov without talking to Bao Dai. Jacquet is to inform him of developments and ask his views, adding that unless he has definite views to express either immediately in person, or almost immediately, through representatives in Paris, or Geneva, French will feel free to take such position on participation as they think best (i.e., Associated States and Viet Minh).
Margerie commented that Bao Dai was blithely confident that French would continue to defend his country with Americans paying for it and that if French stopped, he could look to America to take over this defense.
Bidault made suggestion Ambassador Heath talk with Bao Dai and we are endeavoring to arrange this.