851G.00/12–2846: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:02 p.m.]
2186. Embassy found occasion to inquire informally regarding subject matter London’s 10255 [10245?], December 24, 1 p.m.90 which apparently arose out of pressure of FonOff from local Chinese organizations and individuals of the Hanoi-Haiphong area to take action to ameliorate conditions. FonOff maintained it whittled down original proposal to mere instructions to Embassies in Washington and London to suggest that British, American and Chinese Consuls at Hanoi should make joint and simultaneous representations with a view to moderating the extremism afoot and that it entertained no idea of intervention per se. However, it could well be that the initial instructions were worded strongly, and FonOff is now diluting them. Fonoff also went out of its way to point out that Vietnam regime is definitely Communist, but that intervention at this time would presuppose support or opposition to a Communist regime but that Chinese Govt had no intention of transporting internal Chinese difficulties to Indo-China.
Sent Dept 2186, December 28, 10 a.m. Dept please repeat to London.