Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file

Memorandum of Presidential Telephone Conversation, Monday, April 5, 1954, 8:27 a.m.¹

April 5, 1954, 8:27 a.m.

Secy. Dulles called—

He received cable from Amb. Dillon (?),² about Radford’s mention of possible U.S. naval & air support at Dienbienphu, going on to describe extent of Chinese Communist intervention. They are regrouping & reorganizing, in attempt to throw in all their forces. DDE supposes Radford thought he was talking to someone in strict confidence—but says he should never have told foreign country he would do his best because they then start putting pressure on us. Dulles said in talks with Radford and Ely, feeling was unanimous & strong that we must not & could not enter into fight until we had political aspects cleared. Radford did not give any committal talk. Cannot risk our prestige in defeat. DDE said such move is impossible. In the absence of some kind of arrangement getting support of Congress, would be completely unconstitutional & indefensible. On the other hand, we satisfied every whim they ask for—they were talking about more ships that would fly with their pilots off our fleet. Radford & Dulles talked about it early this morning. Radford quite reconciled to fact that it is political impossibility at present time—has no idea of recommending this action. DDE suggests taking a look to see if anything else can be done—but we cannot engage in active war.³

1. The drafter of this memorandum has not been identified. A memorandum of the same telephone conversation, prepared by Phyllis D. Bernau of the office of the Secretary of State, is in Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”.
2. Reference is to telegram 3710 from Paris, Apr. 5, p. 1236.

3. The Secretary’s files include a memorandum of a telephone conversation with Admiral Radford at 8:31 a.m., which read as follows: “The Sec. called and said he spoke to the President, who feels we have to say we cannot commit an act of war except under the kind of program discussed with Bonnet on Saturday, and the Sec. said we are pressing for it. The Sec. asked if he could think of any alternative. Radford said Carney said he has seen messages there are pilots in France, and we could get planes there in a week for these pilots. Radford will check on this.

   “The Sec. asked if he thought the intelligence about Chinese intervention could be mentioned on the Hill either openly or in disguised form. Radford said he felt it could do no particular harm.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”)