851G.01/11–244
Memorandum by the Deputy Director of the Office of European Affairs (Matthews)45
According to Ambassador Winant’s46 recollection, Indochina was dealt with only briefly at the White House conversation on March 27, 1943 and in other conversations with Mr. Eden.47 In the March 27 conversation the question of trusteeship was discussed at some lengthy Mr. Eden advocating the advantages of national rather than international administration. There was considerable inconclusive discussion as to the degree to which governments other than the one having sovereignty or administrative responsibility for a particular area might properly intervene in matters involving the administration of the area or its relations with other areas. Mr. Eden emphasized [Page 778] the belief that the goal for small colonial areas should be economic, social, and political advancement and an autonomous status rather than independence, which would subject them to both economic and military dangers.
The Ambassador does not recall that the question of restoring Indochina in full sovereignty in France was discussed at the time but expressed the opinion that the French will be highly sensitive about the restoration of all parts of their colonial empire to the status quo ante and that the British Government will firmly support the French position in view of its desire for the closest possible relations with France.
- Addressed to the Deputy Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Ballantine) and to the Chief of the Division of Southwest Pacific Affairs (Moffat).↩
- American Ambassador in the United Kingdom.↩
- For correspondence regarding the visit of Mr. Eden to Washington, March 12–30, 1943, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. iii, pp. 1 ff.↩