Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII

851G.00/5–1346: Circular telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Officers⁴²

secret

Washington, May 13, 1946—1 p.m.

French FonOff official confident ultimate success negotiations with Vietnam which may be prolonged.⁴³ Vietnam deleg France impressed him favorably but he regarded recent developments Indochina China disturbing since believed Chinese commanders Indochina openly defying undermining Chiang Kai-shek’s sincere efforts evacuate Indochina. Chinese official Paris stated⁴⁴ that Vietnam deleg composed five Communists, four non-Communists, one Kuomintang, but Communists Vietnam better organized than non-Communists and supported by French Communists, that Chinese troops would evacuate, that Chinese Govt would be neutral, would not be intermediary for Annamese seeking US support. Consul Hanoi observes⁴⁵ Chinese appear trying undermine Viet Minh party and leadership hoping leave Chinese-dominated Dong Minh Hoy party in power.

Acheson

42. At Nanking and Saigon.
43. Telegram 2243, May 9, 1946, 2 p.m., from Paris, not printed.
44. Telegram 2279, May 10, 1946, 4 p.m., from Paris, not printed.
45. Telegram 10, May 6, 1946, 8 a.m., not printed.