Office of the Historian

144. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1

Washington, April 27, 1955—11:56 p.m.

3837. Secretary requests addressees take no action whatsoever on Deptels 3828, 3829 and 3830 to Paris2 until further instructions. Keep circulation strictly limited to fewest.

Pending further instructions Gibson should only urge Bao Dai not take irrevocable action until we have completed urgent consideration.

Dulles

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751G.00/4–2755. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Young and cleared in substance with Dulles and Hoover. Sent also niact to Saigon and niact to Nice for Gibson.

    This telegram is mentioned in the memorandum of two telephone conversations, both transcribed by Phyllis Bernau of the Secretary’s office. The first, at 8:38 a.m., April 28, was between the Secretary and Allen Dulles; the transcription reads as follows:

    “Re Vietnam—the Sec. told Hoover to send a cable to block the cables we sent to Saigon and Paris. AWD said it looks as though the Binh Xuyen are shelling the Palace as reprisal for replacing the chief of police. AWD hopes to have it pulled together for NSC. The Sec. would not think that means we should hold up our planning. AWD said it takes us off the hook. It is better to make a change in the light of a civil war situation.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations)

    The second conversation, 9:15 a.m., also on April 28, was between the Secretary and Collins and reads as follows:

    “C. returned the call and the Sec. said things seem to be heating up in Vietnam. C. said apparently so from the radio. The Sec. said after talking with the Sec., Hoover sent out a message not to act until we had further information. We should decide during the day—apparently there is a new truce. The Sec. does not know if Diem is losing control or possibly emerging a hero. There is evidence the Army responded pretty effectively and gained control of the situation. We should study reports re altering our position. C. will be at NSC at 11. The Sec. suggested he talk with Hoover and others. C. said he had an appointment with Hensel at 10. The Sec. said he does not know if we will have adequate information at hand to judge. It might be better to put off the meeting until 12. They agreed to try to make it after NSC—I’m not clear if the Sec. included himself or the mtg. he mentioned above with Hoover et al.” (Ibid.)

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  2. Documents 140, 141, and 142, respectively.↩