851G.00/10–1946: Telegram
The Consul at Saigon (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 22—2:05 p.m.]
411. Meeting High Commissioner and Ho took place yesterday as reported mytel 409, Oct 18.62 Few details known but understand meeting most amicable with Ho unusually pro-French and even denouncing Vietnam terrorist activities. So much so one recalls earlier rumors Ho has sold out to French. If above true, question poses itself whether Ho can keep unqualified support in north, particularly in view of further reports of Communist character of that state. I still believe French Communists desire soft pedal Communist trends Vietnam for political reasons and will adopt passive attitude until [Page 62] after elections. FIC vote against constitution (mytel 40463) is believed to be vote against left and is possible Fascist reaction against theory independence for native peoples.
- Not printed. In despatch 6, October 22, 1946, from Hanoi, Vice Consul O’Sullivan reported the return there on October 21 of Ho Chi Minh from France by way of Camranh Bay, where he had conferred with Admiral d’Argenlieu on October 18, and added: “Generous gestures on the part of both the French and Vietnamese created an unparalleled atmosphere of public amity and cordiality between the two groups.” (851G.001/10–2246)↩
- Telegram of October 15, not printed; it reported that preliminary figures in the referendum vote in Indochina showed an overwhelming majority “voted no” (8333 to 1701). (851G.001/10–1546)↩