Editorial Note
From October 13 to October 18, conversations occurred in Washington between United States and French officials concerning United States contribution to French rearmament within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty. These discussions included consideration of the question of additional United States military assistance to Indochina. The United States was represented in the conversations by Secretary of State Acheson, Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall (who succeeded Louis Johnson on September 21), Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snyder, and Economic Cooperation Administrator William C. Foster (who succeeded Paul G. Hoffman on October 1). French representatives included Minister of Defense Jules Moch and Minister of Finance Maurice Petsche. Documentation on the discussions is scheduled for publication in volume III.
On October 17, the Department of State issued a press release announcing increased aid to France and Indochina. It stated the following with respect to Indochina: “In addition, the United States Congress has appropriated for military assistance in the Far East approximately one-half billion dollars. In view of the importance of the operations in Indochina, the major part of this sum is being used to provide military equipment, including light bombers, for the armed forces both of France and of the Associated States of Indochina.
“This assistance will provide a very important part of the equipment required by the forces contemplated for activation in 1951 in France and for current operations in Indochina. Deliveries of equipment are being expedited and, with respect to Indochina, a particularly high priority has been assigned.” For the full text, see Department of State Bulletin, October 30, 1950, page 704.