851G.00/4–1846: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Hanoi (O’Sullivan) to the Secretary of State32
priority
[Received April 18—8 a.m.]
2. Despite many questions which are still in fluid state, conditions in Hanoi are surprisingly quiet. French Annamite and Chinese troops are in city in varying force but with comparatively little friction.
French troops under General Valluy, composed of elements of Second Armoured and Ninth Colonial Infantry Divisions, are making strenuous efforts to avoid antagonizing Chinese.
[Page 36]Fifty-third Army with scattered services are only Chinese troops which remain in vicinity of Hanoi. Date of their withdrawal is unknown here.
Repatriation of Japanese soldiers and civilians north of 16th parallel has been taking place during past 2 weeks. Approximately 30 of 35,000 have been shipped. Remainder are scheduled to leave in near future.
French appear to be exercising no civilian functions here. Vietnam is de facto government of Hanoi, running police and administrative, services. There are indications that no effective central authority exists outside of city areas although natives are said to be bitterly anti-French. Passage of recent French convoy from Haiphong to Hanoi, for example, was resisted by barricades (but apparently not by rifle fire) in villages along route.
Negotiations now opening between French and Vietnam at Dalat (Dalat is hill station in Cochin China) to implement preliminary agreement to March 6th. Most important immediate question appears to be status of Cochin China.
Food situation generally better than last year. Reports indicate there should be no famine in northern FIC in near future.
- This telegram was summarized in a Department circular telegram of April 19, 1946, noon, to Bangkok, Batavia, Chungking, Manila, and Paris.↩