851G.00/2–646: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 7—12:45 a.m.]
595. Dept’s 564, February 4. While I have not as yet detailed information on the differences of opinions between D’Argenlieu and Leclerc on French policy toward Indo-China all indications in Paris point to the fact that the French Govt at this time favors a conciliatory and moderate policy. The Foreign Office has been stressing to the Govt the fact that in the light of the evolution of events in the Far East and Southeast Asia, French interests can best be safeguarded by a liberal and progressive colonial policy in Indo-China. The Socialist Party, which at present is in a position to exercise much influence on French governmental policy, is also in favor of such a policy as is the present Socialist Minister of Colonies, Marius Moutet. This does not mean, however, that they are thinking in terms of independence for Indo-China for no Frenchmen appear to be thinking in such terms.
While it is, of course, impossible at this time to gaze too far into the future, present evidence would seem to indicate that the present Govt will try to follow a conciliatory and moderate policy in Indo-China and will be more progressive in its outlook than the de Gaulle [Page 25] Govt.16 As the Dept is aware, in the latter. Govt the influence of certain old-line military leaders sometimes had an unfortunate influence on French colonial policy.
- Ambassador Caffery reported in telegram 849, February 21, 1946, 3 p.m., that the French Government had decided to give Admiral d’Argenlieu, then on a visit to Paris, “general authority to endeavor to reach a solution with the native elements, meeting them much more than half way”. (851G.00–2146)↩