851G.00/1–3046: Telegram
The Assistant Chief of the Division of Southeast Asian Affairs (Landon) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 30—3:15 p.m.]
[War Series Saig 597.] Following based on conversation with De Raymond who is Admiral’s political adviser and inspector of colonies. Gist of French-Cambodian agreement: Should be understood against background that Cambodia is small country of 3,000,000 squeezed between two hostile nations, namely, Annamite and Siamese. Also fear of Annamite minority. Cambodia requested and received protection of French. Before the war Cambodia was in principle an absolute monarchy. Present government is modus vivendi awaiting completion of new federal constitution and agreements with other states. If other states receive more liberal treatment then Cambodian agreement will be broadened to match. Principle of present agreement is that all internal affairs will be strictly under Cambodian management. All federal affairs concerning Cambodia will be joint responsibility of Cambodians and Federal Government.
- 1.
- There will be two assemblies. Firstly, that of the states consisting of three representatives each for Cambodia, Laos and Cochin China and provisionally three each for Tonkin and Annam. Later, however, Tonkin and Annam may become single state. These representatives will be chosen by governments of the various states but in some cases where government not yet functioning they will be provisionally appointed by High Commissioner of the Republic for Indochina. Secondly, the popular Cambodian Assembly, to be elected by the people by system of suffrage, not yet agreed upon.
- 2.
- Prime Minister and Cabinet will be Cambodian. At first they will be appointed by Emperor. Later will be responsible to popular Assembly. Governors of provinces will also be Cambodian.
- 3.
- There will be one French High Commissioner for Cambodia (at present Gen. Allessandry). He is appointed by the High Commissioner of the Republic for Indochina. He will have no control over internal Cambodian affairs, only federal. Certain other Commissioners will also be appointed by High Commissioner for Indochina. These Commissioners may be either French or native but will be responsible to Federal Government. These Commissioners are to deal only with federal affairs in Cambodia such as federal finance, federal communications, roads, railways, waterways, post and telegraph, large public works which require inter-state agreement or federal financial assistance.
- 4.
- There will be Cambodian army consisting of eight or nine battalions commanded by Cambodian officers assisted by French if requested. Also purely Cambodian police force. Also some federal troops and federal police.
- 5.
- Governors of principal provinces will have French advisers who will have no executive functions.
- 6.
- Cambodian ministers may also have French technical advisers if they want them.
- 7.
- [Apparent garble] one of two systems will be followed, probably the second. Firstly, Cambodians may collect all taxes which will then be split percentagewise between Cambodia and Federal Government. Secondly, direct taxes would go to Cambodian Government and indirectly to Federal Government.
- 8.
- In all it is expected there will be less than 50 French functionaries in Cambodia as against several hundred prewar. Comment: In my opinion present French administration wishes to give Cambodians a square deal. For good reasons it is impossible to make specific and complete agreement now. Present modus vivendi is necessarily incomplete, tentative, vague. For this reason, French not willing at present to publish it. Everything will depend on how French administer it. French also have problem in that a few wealthy Cambodian families are only persons qualified for high positions. Danger is they may misuse power. If Admiral has his way it will be administered fairly and liberally and be real step toward native self-rule. If reactionaries get hold of administration, there is nothing to prevent their putting Cambodia right back where it was before.