Office of the Historian

851G.01/6–1449: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1

secret   us urgent
Washington, June 14, 1949—7 p. m.

2044, For Holmes2 from Butterworth and Hickerson.3 We have asked Graves4 of Brit Emb (now en route London) for current Brit views on Indochina particularly policy Brit intend to pursue vis-à-vis Bao Dai Govt. We pointed out that at present Bao Dai solution only existing alternative to Communist domination and therefore in interest US, UK and other democracies that Bao Dai succeed.

We told Graves we intend issue statement welcoming formation of new Vietnam state and are now also considering how best exert influence on both French and Viets during crucial initial period of first several months and what position we should take (1) when faced with question of de facto recognition (2) should French and Viets request economic or military assistance.

We also informed Graves that we believe support of neighboring SEA countries—India, Siam, Burma, and Philippines—of great importance in contributing to possibility success Bao Dai experiment; that these countries, particularly India, should be induced to take lead [Page 50] if possible in supporting ex-Emperor, that if US and UK played too prominent a role it might prove “Kiss of death”. However, before consulting SEA countries, we wish obtain British views.

Please approach FonOff at appropriate level and cable us Brit thinking and whether they plan to issue independently a statement such as outlined in para 2 above which is of course designed to gain support for Bao Dai in Indochina.

You may point out to FonOff that Dept recognizes (1) Mar 8 agreement leaving French in substantial control Vietnam foreign policy and army may not satisfy all demands Viet nationalists, (2) this agreement represents concessions beyond which French not prepared go at this time.

Webb
  1. Repeated as 2094 to Paris and 95 to Saigon; sent in 419, June 15, 8 p. m., to New Delhi.↩
  2. Brig. Gen. Julius C. Holmes, Counselor of the Embassy in the United Kingdom, with rank of Minister.↩
  3. John D. Hickerson, Director of the Office of European Affairs.↩
  4. Hubert Ashton Graves, Counselor of the British Embassy; memorandum of conversation on June 10 not printed. (851G.00/6–1049)↩