751G.11/2–453: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
1542. Repeated information Paris 222, Hanoi unnumbered. News story written by visiting Scripps Howard correspondent Russell and filed without censorship difficulties February 1 elicited oral protest from President Tam on grounds of inaccuracy and alleged insults to Chief of State. Protest has since been confirmed in writing, with request that it be transmitted to appropriate American authorities. Article in question describes Bao Dai and his activities in singularly unflattering terms while praising Tam for his energy and honesty and singling out elections as source of recent boost in latter’s popularity, which in author’s opinion might eventually lead to his replacing Bao Dai as Chief of State.
I have replied both orally and in writing to Tam that his protest would be transmitted to Washington, while reminding him of American free press tradition. From standpoint of President Tam article is most inopportune at this moment when Bao Dai’s wounded amour-propre and ill-concealed fears of eventual installation of what has been described as “second legitimacy” resulting from elections oblige Tam to walk on eggs in dealing with his imperial master. If article is reported back to Bao Dai, with its invidious personal comparison of Emperor and President and particularly with its open implication is candidate to succeed Bao Dai, reaction in hypersensitive atmosphere of Banmethuot can easily be imagined. It will further complicate [Page 382] Tam’s difficulties in keeping Viet ship of state on reasonably even keel and possibly influence Bao Dai to give progressively chillier reception to Tam’s proposals with respect to subsequent installments of electoral machinery. My written reply to Tam’s protest will at least enable him to produce it as earnest of his own sincerity and good intentions if taken to task on this score by Bao Dai.