751G.00/4–2451: Telegram
The Minister at Saigon (Heath) to the Secretary of State 1
188. Legtel 1871 rptd Paris 778 Apr 22.2 On my return from Hanoi3 Huu asked see me. He was anxious learn my reaction his speech at Vinh Yen and to discuss problem finding suitable Viets min for Wash.
I told him I personally regarded his declaration in which for the first time unequivocally denounced the VM as enemy of state and announced police measures prevent infiltration between VM and Viet controlled territories as timely act of courage and statesmanship. Huu said he had heard no criticism his statement beyond observation from Bao Dai who thought speech wld be well recd in Tonkin which had suffered from and hated VM but it wld not have as favorable reception Cochinchina which had not particularly suffered or realized character of VM. Huu said it was surprising none of “fence-sitting so-called intellectuals” in South Vietnam had yet intimated any criticism his statement.
It wld be difficult and matter of some time entirely close lines between VM and Viets controlled territory and to eradicate VM terrorism from villages and cities. He had left Interior Min Tarn4 [Page 417] in Hanoi to study problem. Tam was mtg with steady success in his campaign to rout out terrorists in Saigon. Many businessmen and enterprises in Saigon had been forced pay tribute to VM to preserve their lives and property from attack. Now they were increasingly informing police of attempted VM levies and placing their business premises under police protection. Recently VM ordered owner of largest Saigon pharmacy to pay sum of three million piastres (dollars 150,000) to guarantee his life and business. He had balked and Saigon police were effectively guarding him and his drugstore.
I inquired whether his efforts promote defections from VM were mtg with success and whether his offer of amnesty wld have any effect. Huu said that it was possible they might be able obtain some defections in Cochinchina but it was doubtful under present circumstances in view effective Commie surveillance of potential defectors. Various negots had been in progress for months but without result. It wld be necessary organize “real fifth column in VM territory” but this wld take time.
Huu said he was confident Chi5 wld be successful in establishing the popular and respected govt in Tonkin since he was wellmeaning, impartial and honest. The Catholic provinces had given Huu enthusiastic welcome and come over unequivocally to the govt although they had resisted Governor Tri and Dai Viet’s attempt exert authority over their areas (comment: when in Hanoi I heard confirmation of this latter statement from various sources). People were delighted to be relieved of Dai Viet control, which had forced all govt employees to become party members and contribute to party coffers. For example, Huu declared, Governor of each province was supposed pay 30,000 piasters for privilege of retaining his job. It was impossible for provincial governor pay any such amt without extorting graft from the population under his control. He said he had recd letter from an “old Dai Viet” who had applauded his action against party saying recent Dai Viet leaders were merely profiteers and did not represent real party. At same time he had been magnanimous where Dai Viet members showed real intention bow to govt’s authority. Thus he had kept his promise to Le Thang of permission publish Fr language newspaper in Hanoi. It had been mistake let the Dai Viet establish polit monopoly in Tonkin. Bao Dai had not however wished disturb this monopoly as long as it was giving effective govt under Governor Tri. Dai Viet had however, some time ago sent word to Bao Dai that if he attempted break their party’s hold in north they wld turn against the monarchy. Bao Dai had then realized they cld no longer be tolerated and had encouraged Huu break up machine.
[Page 418]Huu admitted formation Vietnam natl army was not proceeding as rapidly as he wld have liked. He asserted there was no longer any dispute between him and Bao Dai as to who wld have direct charge of formation of mil forces and also asserted Bao Dai had asked him keep Defense portfolio in his own hands. Difficulty was in finding some capable person act as state secy def. He had been unable do so to date nor with his other duties been able devote sufficient time to the army.
Sent Dept 188 rptd Paris 787, Hanoi unnumbered.
- This telegram was transmitted in two parts. Section 2, which dealt exclusively with Vietnamese politics and personalities, is not printed.↩
- Telegram 1871 is not printed. On April 19, both General de Lattre de Tassigny and Prime Minister Huu delivered addresses at Vinh Yen. For text of de Lattre’s remarks, see Folliot, Documents on International Affairs, 1951, pp. 670–673. The texts of the two addresses were transmitted to the Department as enclosures to despatch No. 144 from Hanoi, April 23. In that despatch, Consul Blancke stated the following: “President Huu’s speech has been voluminously lauded and commented on by French leaders, both in personal conversation and in the press, as a declaration of war against the Vietminh; and it does appear that Huu has finally come out without equivocation on the side of the French and has recognized that the world is divided into only two camps. To the Consulate’s knowledge this is the first clear-cut recognition by a Vietnamese leader of this simple fact, considered by most Americans to be self-evident.” (751G.00/4–2351)↩
- Minister Heath conferred with General de Lattre de Tassigny in Hanoi on the evening of April 21, They discussed U.S. economic aid, Chinese Communist incursions, the military situation, and other subjects. Telegram 598 from Hanoi, April 22, which reported on the conversation, is not printed. (751G.00/4–2251)↩
- Nguyen Van Tarn.↩
- Dang Huu Chi, successor to Nguyen Huu Tri as Governor of Northern Viet-Nam.↩