751G.00/6–1853: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Sturm) to the Department of State
836. Repeated information Saigon 658, Paris 390. Governor Tri said today that he and various of his close political associates have during recent weeks become increasingly disturbed by indications that French might under certain circumstances be led to undertake negotiations with the Viet-Minh in an attempt to end the war here and pave the way for their own departure. Long-standing fear that French might make such attempt has been heightened by armistice negotiations in Korea which appear be approaching successful conclusion, by fact Mendes-France was narrowly defeated in bid for French Premiership, and most recently by visit to Peking of French business group, widely reported locally to include Sainteny, traditional French contact man with Viet-Minh. Tri said he brought subject up in order inquire what probable US reaction would be if French do in fact attempt reach agreement with Viet-Minh; he feels that US moral position, if it intends resist any move by French in this direction, may have been compromised by its apparent willingness admit UN agreement with Chinese Communists which perpetuates a divided Korea and the presence of foreign troops on Korean soil.
I attempted assure Tri that situation here is not analogous to that in Korea saying: UN goal in Korea had been to resist aggression and that UN would require guarantees against renewal of aggression; no territorial division similar to that which has existed de facto in Korea since 1945 is possible here; strategic interest of US in Indochina extends to all Southeast Asia; US could not contemplate any arrangement by French which would lay this vital area open to Communist domination by conquest or otherwise.
[Page 613]Tri remained sceptical that US could exert enough pressure to force French remain here, assuming certain political combinations in France, but hopeful that it would attempt to do so. Problem he and his political friends now face, he said, is posture to assume it if should be established that French intend undertake negotiations with Viet-Minh. They are determined resist such negotiations at all costs but are undecided how best make their position unequivocal.