Office of the Historian

851G.01/20: Telegram

The Consul at Saigon (Flood) to the Secretary of State

Saigon, June 24, 1940—7 p.m.
[Received June 24—12:50 p.m.]

British authorities here expect that their Government will cooperate with Indo-China as closely as possible and that in any event French and British naval units in the Far East will work together. However, they believe that because of existing commitments the additional obligations which Great Britain may feel capable of actually assuming with regard to Indo-China will depend to a considerable degree on the position of the United States. Any positive statement or move by the Government of the United States would make possible a stronger stand and would be welcomed by both British and French authorities.

Sent to naval radio Cavite for repetition to the Department, Chungking, Hong Kong, Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.

Flood