memos by george abbott, u.s. consul in saigon (pp. 154-189) · cu'0261 docune:·it from u. s....

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CU'0261 DOCUNE:·IT FROM U. S. OF OEFE:!SE PE:JTAGO:I PAPEaS u.s. HOUSE OF REPRESE:!TATI'JES EDITIO:I (Document dec1assined September 20, 1971) ny' FILE I-- , .. _-_. 0'; TE Abbot, Consul, reviews the entire Indochina situa- tion (foT -:hc Delhi Foreign Service Conf'erence, 1949) the State Department. uTbe alterna- t.o t.he Ea.c Dai solution are either continued costly colonial wz.rfare or French withdra'hal leaving a cO=lL"list- cont:-012ed go"';-e!"!"'...!:1ent. in a strategic of Southeast A:;ia." Ab"!Jctt desp.s..tch 93 to SccState, 5 1949- ....... I I

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CU'0261

DOCUNE:·IT FROM U. S. DEPA~THE;!T OF OEFE:!SE PE:JTAGO:I PAPEaS u.s. HOUSE OF REPRESE:!TATI'JES EDITIO:I (Document dec1assined September 20, 1971) ny'

ru~,.... FILE I-- , .. _-_. 0'; TE

f-~! Abbot, SaiGo~ Consul, reviews the entire Indochina situa­tion (foT -:hc !~ew Delhi Foreign Service Conf'erence, l*~£bruz.2"Y 1949) fo~ the State Department. uTbe alterna­·~ives t.o t.he Ea.c Dai solution are either continued costly colonial wz.rfare or French withdra'hal leaving a cO=lL"list­cont:-012ed go"';-e!"!"'...!:1ent. in a strategic are~t of Southeast A:;ia." Ab"!Jctt desp.s..tch 93 to SccState, 5 I·~ay 1949- .......•

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to r-iS t!:1 (J11J~~ic:1:'3 ·Gr;~~d'...ll~~ for }~p:-il' 10 "'rl\,;~\ (\ hep:: "to bloc;·: ·tho '";'0';1) ro:-' r.u':;o:!o:>:::: or, n:.::-o li~:·~ly, thn. 'iC/:"J fo:: U:1.iC:1 i'ri~':':l !.;.;;.)

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j)C:::.~,~. rot.:. ~,;'.:i..~l:; i'.:l t'.a~.;":!c::"\\),~ ~ Co (,:1.i::c::'i~~.... c.::e.'.:n. }';r(::--.:;h co:'~''cr~l * ) :'~ r .. ,., ~~., .. \.,~,,:.. .. ~ !:n.'i~1i n.l~o i"C:'-:l r'. GO-:··;:·:-...-.·;:;: .. ..,; c"!. :!1:; ru";m':l -• ..-it:;" :~:lC:l no:":)~. J __ '-'

Co.~!d :",-;.'~:-.o:;i·.Jy "(.?"~'-"""!. .... !::.:: prr;::;r:~:"t. Xi.~l:.:; rc;;i::.h

l!O·;;J¥:.J:!"~ if "t!1J fl!.11 t,:;:~:- of .;.:~:) :'.5r'or.:::-::; 01 1,::.:,c:' 8 ~\:..:l rupi!.,);:,)::~".lry a";!'(;C;-:;:~~3 fa:: its ir,?l(1:.~~:·rt.~.t;icc. !IF?:·.\!' to c:'l:--."t:~i::. r~

.... --_ .. -.

-. l"e~ ... ~o.'~.t!:; ~~~-,::: fc.·;; :;:~i:,,!':y~:-...~'~ i:;:',.' i.~{:.'.l: .. t:-:~ d:l:::\:.'.cl~ (.,f th.) 'yi0t::':'.: :':;;;0 n!.l:~io::~,'!..i st.s;!, .:"'.~'\.~\ if "',,;h.:::· c';::·J!' r,l~;)·.·,-.-·:-.'.·)~l;';i(;:t_::d co:'c:i';;:io:::; :-"::"'3 n.:,!;" i-i;

ir:: b·;J.i,:,\··~::' r:LO D~:l ;":ill J1 ~7;"! r\ f:'\ir c: ... c~::r.:~, to r.UCO-::·::d. i~ ill!i plC'.:l -'::0'

5"p.lr~~ .. ~; -:.r..!1 ~·o:·.-Co::.::.ll..""!.is-~ cl(.r:::1.'l;!::." of ih'J re!31stn:tc" !'l'O:-~ ".;!!.~. Vi~;",;; l.aM. ...!. lc.y;~l (>1'.d lib"::-:ll (\-:-;t.i~::dfJ by bo~,;h r:iuQO c.m:i:'!~ "~ii'J critic'll P':::";lO(1 ci: C:1J.::r;O ov::::- !':"'~ f:<~·::<!:l. to Vi:::t:".:.n u.01·.uni(;t;r~,:ti.y.1. .. rill t"J', n v5:tr.l .fnc~.;o:- j::-l d'.::tC'rcini: .. ~ the Ch~l:!'lC;:'f) of succ:=:;::: •

. This ra.i=o.:l th·;) _qtv:::t;"io:~ or 't:!1'J :;.'ttittvl'J 01' tllo t':1,5.tc1 S·';:ltCl5 bovornn'!::~:t to',::,U'UfI th:l ?lo..:to 'l~~ ·h!J.:J b':J'::':~ h:.ti;'I~"';;Od. to t1-..') FrC~lC~1.· tl t ......... ,., .,. . .. .,..., ··t .... -- .. '~ ~ 'i- r .... ' .... , ........ ~~. h'" .. ~""d ~ . • HI. " •• :).~ ~,n ..... t:rO .... "',.l~. ..;).5.: ·.;~,c.!Ctt .1 ..... QOC.l __ ., ~, •• J.c ........ ?P ... Ul v 1,00

l:!.QC\i -c.h~ r..inii.-:u..'7:. CO;.ll"!.::\QS of t!:..1. Vi-c't::.1.::'..u nc.:·(.:i~:~,:,.li:::"t~ c~:.\d·""o h'l"~) ~ . r';!~ :;CI~~~ bh) . e~1"!:.\C~ of CUCCI:' ::c·l:.'l.t;1' ,',:; -;;ol!lo. hJ propr-.l"·:)(l. ·to i:!cic:'l.t':l

oific.if"\.l1y 0\\:'-.' npp:-Cov.'.l n:'"ld sup;)or"t" rmd. ... ,,~). cO:1tiid:::r- dil"'03C~';; c.lloc:\­tiC:l or J~!lr.;i:::.ll ?l~:'l funds to !:u1ochin:;-!. t:.:~d p';):i'h~ps othor ocono::tio

. ·c.id •.

It in b!!lioywd t!~D.t thiti policy ~11o-uld 1·., ir::plr.'!.:.c:ltccl (';~ .tho. cc.l"lico-;:; ponsiblo :\O:'.'):lt n1'tor· tho cssC::1.tinl c.,:):"ldi'tic!~.;; !·~.:l:1."tiO:l~d in tn', p::"c7iou~ p~~I .. '.g:'''1phs h!\";') :c-'.)c;·~ !.'..'::~o !~:>.ti..1r;:-.ily· if 1'),0 D~i f!'.i.lc~. nftor Ctu' tU.2~)o!"t htl.3 b::O!l 't~lnOl",::lC')~, th':l proJ:)>;.iso. of."thc U::J:tc::;' St~\'t(;:; cu!'fo!"~ ". cc:-icns blo';{a . 0:.1.t}n otho:," h.i.ncl., th'J,.lnc:{ or OU:"'

~t1?POl·t "';QuId,i.e a h~J.v)"·.c.c.:l(lic.:tp ·.-:hic~i !".ft.igh"!: ,roll ol~tin!'l.t<j a:!y ... cn!'.rtCI) of :::UCC:l:'l;ja Th:). a.ltt)r,'\::.ti;-.)::; to ti:c E'lo D.:\i .c.olutio:~ !loro . oithor cO'-J.ti."'1.ucd COGtl3" colo:.lial ·~.;.'C\rtn.rc· or Fronch i·;i .. ..:;'hc:r.:-:·.1::l1 lc?-'\"i:}S n Co:.r:',.:.r,dst-co:ltl'olJ.o::c GOy;,:-:-::.."":";;;:t i~ h !j'Vr:n::c.Gl c ·n:a",:n of S0l.1~';:1':;J,O·~ '.

Ar.i"" !;{;itilcr of th-:s·, 'would npp.car to bo to our i:ltorcst"

!!o. 34

:~ .'

1 h~vc the ht:"lIor "..:.0 r~f~r' -to th.,;; ~(..iY~l't':i",:j1V s ci.rcub.r to}".iGro.r:l of .. l~.!l"":~;Y 12, 19~9J 3:00 r, ....... ,· ~_l!d to i..:r~.n:;";I~~ h,o:);c'.".'ith fi~ ... e copies of the ):.':':~0rn!lt:um pr':':F~!··:d bi t~l::~'; off~c(: fo'!' t:l':'~ i!c·,'t Delhi Rq:;ia:l~l Forctb.:: Servico Co!',f.cro1~co. Cor>ics h~vc '(,con forw:l.rdcd to other i!1-tcrcs~,;;.::d posts cs i!i5tructC;(~1

Ror.p:.:ctful1:{ yours,

,

Enclosure:

EC:lor:l:.dt.: ... , 0:1 I:Aochi:n for !-:c,::; Dolhi Foreign Zcr-d C0

CO:1fc~'c;-t~cJ dtd reb. 12, 1949

Orir;in~l ~nc! oZ:llid tc Dopr.rtr;,cnt Copies to: l:..~[;nb:·.ssy. P~':1coon

A"!1c:r.b~.5sy, C:\iro A.':1C!:l.b:1.s:y, lie .. '; Delhi J~cr;)bas.::;y J Tchr~:1 Ar.oemb.:l..ssy J K~i·r-.c!li A"!l.:,:ubc.ssy, :b.r.:l~

li:n,:~~o:'. S sy J E:l.1:C~,:d:

A:..oricn.!l C-:-,;;"zltl~\tc G.J~1':lro.1J A.'7.cr i c ~':"l CC~5~J1::.tc C'3':1:: !"'ul , l·j;'.~ricc.::1 Cc~:;ulc.~o G(;nor~l,

Ar..oric~n Co:u;~~l::.tc GC~lur;:~l , 4\r:1.cric~n. CO: ... S'': 1 ..... tc Gcr:.JT;.l, l ... ..,...cric-::.l1 :o:u;ul~tc Gc~.C::::1.,

;~:~ric~~"'. CC~:;'1;1-:\tiJ G(;r-~or:::.l ~

l~:;,oric::'..n C01H;-'J_l~tc G.:::nv, r':1. 1 , ti3?):.~·~!) , 1'0:'::/.,

3).0

GeorGe ;'. Abbott Ai.\oric-'lr:. Consul G~nc:l'=tl

Color-bo Eor:'.r.:-.y C:tlc~tt~ (2) !.:":'..drnn :3o.t:nvio. l::-,ho!'v Si!".r;f',)oro Ct.n~o:1

C; ::lbbott. !:J~Colcb.;·ook: 1i?C; .. lr~nil2t~l'f!r:l:D:~CG or:./j1'

- _ .. - .. ,

--- "'-.

St\igo~, Inci.ochir.{tJ Fc1ru~ .. ry 12J 1!J~9.

In:;er:'':'ll Poijtical Situation in the Vietnar'.

_1. !L0r.?rc.l •• ~i_t_t~:.+:;':.?n.. - Po:.;J.,;~·.'ar dc-.;o).op':1.or:t:s ::-, the Amm:::l t·J pr'Jvinc(:~ of l:·.docl:):"!.";.;. .. kr.:"::!l ::is the: V:i.f.:t::r~j;1, ore fl.:!"",·':n.H~~;Ylt£~lly slmilr:..r to tho~e in nth'),; :"hr"'~~ of' _":.:;i~, :'!1 t~at 1..h::::)' st<J;::' fror:' f. ?~i;:el'f'ul up~urCQ o~ n:}tio:i1~l­

isr.:. '.i'i.a Vict::':<::t ~tc.:::ds ou!; f:'o:r: ot!1':n' n:Gi~:15 i~ th.'lt COiIi:'.m:S;"1 r.!tS

g~i!lt~d cl)~lt!"~l of' .Iv !":e !·!~tio.l.~~lif;t ;o>o·,r'::".:m·t n:;d cr,)~.t~d n sit.u!ltion ",';hich is t~ cl~ssic cx:.:.:..;.:i.o IJf 'i:;h(~ rlJ"::('03s~:f"!.lJ.. [lpl-'l~ c;:tti~n Gf CC:::'::'l.I.mi:::t s:';r"".te~y ir.. n colonS.::.1 ~l~·C.'~. i~ 5:-,1-=-.11 ~:;o~c'J':: IlLC1 Chj!".cf,~) -\;r;;1).llcd Erou.p h~lS s0izcd lc:a.d·::"!"~hllJ o.:ld. cc.n·~:;·-Jl of ~~10 st,lO::'G f~r:1 a"l..ll:o;;t; ULjV"::l'HIUy supportc.d ir..dcp~!Hl.:::-.l.c~ J""'"lI.m:;ll"':.. '2'hc cO·..t.n~~j" ~{\r. hC"):l ~{")rt j.r~ c. S·!.:'J.tc of strife r.nd

. co!·tft.:$~.or. fe~ t}:!"·:::: y·J~rs. On::: h·..l.:lc.::.--CC: tl::.:>us~; .. C: Fr~!1cll troc.ps nrc pil" .. "1cd cov:n i::1 I:-.ciochi!"m r.~li..! ~~, .. ~ !l.· .. c.::.l~Jbl.:: 1:1 ZUTC;JC ~ T!1o £'.1',:.,\ is c. sc::--io'.t:J ~!'a.:;'~ or: l~n.~jc-::! s J'l.!:ol.lrcC's i!lS+;~..l<.1 of a 50'.:rcO; of " .. ;.:::tl-':h r.nd rr.:x; r...:.tc­ri'11$ ::'c!"" FnJ,,~cc ~mG tho) \':orld. F:'n~ll:t thuc is 0. :'nir c};.:iUCO thnt the Fr.Jnch r._'!.y bo dri von out n.nd ~hc; first Co .. ~ru:li~t outpost in Southeast Asiu established.

T}-.o l"rcnch h'l',o :)~l~ .. tcdly cor.-:·:: to 0. p~;~..;i~l \lnd:~rstc.r.d.inz: of' t~c situa.tion ',':itt: -"lhir.~ t}';'J/ ... .:.re i"c.:c r! c.:'.~! t.:·~ c~l:":c:t':cri!lr; to cr~o.t a. :-:.on-CO~":;'.l!1i::;~.:.

l~D.o DAr. Union end

!l:~tO!1C;','J'.~$ f;c· .. ·.:;~·.1~.,;::::-lt '..In,·leT t:-,c: lC::l::.:::rsLip o~ fOfI::'Jl" E:,;.pcror ihey hc.)-o to rct~:;.n "t}u:, Vir;tn~.l';, ... ·:iVlin th~ r.0"c;";'llctis Fr.;.;nch r.;l il1tr. in. Frcr.c:" 17I.:'1i ~;r. r:' Cl.::1a ~CO:1C~:. c ?OS it i O!~3 t

2. B~.c~·f:rc-:.:r:-! - To u::d(:r!')J':['..~1:l h: .. 1'.1 "d:.c rr0SC!'~t sit"Hl.J..;ic-n fSOSC [" brief' rovic·:;·oi"' ~ic hi5"';ory 0 1-:' t:'0 co) O!i.'J i~ n,cccs~:.·y. lr_doc!li::.i'l. co.1:10 under ·=:'..:.!'op.::::.n dO:Jin:..tio!1 co!:':;iCoTr-.. bly b.tcl' tLc..n I?1::'o~csie:.J !ndin, or tho P;liE~r>i~Q::;: the Fr~!1C;1 firs~ oC~Upyi;1C p:,.T~ of Cochinchi!c. in 1851. Th,J o.rc~ cf th~5 co10!:Y \':;).5 c;~o.ndcd ~'/bi1,j protc::::-to:--o.t.:-s ""loro cst::tblishcd over tr.o rc:~,::,;ininf; PUTts of thr: !>0ni::.Sn~a c!ur;;'r:g 5U:'SCquCl1t years. 'l'ne t..dmi;}istr~~~ic:l t:::n~.::d to bCCO;'l~ more c:::l"l::r;:~lizcd and evo:1.tt1:l..11y evo1v.Jd into l! tightly knit !",oliticr..;.l nmi cco:;:.o!:~ic fCGc!"utio:r: iI: '":,.rl:ich th'3 rigr.ts o.nr! po·,';.::-rs ?f -:.nc E::-Qt;r~r of A!"' .. """l::::..m, Ki:1.'"; of C~~=.:'oc.i:l, nr.d Princes of L!"~os r.c..<l p:-::.c~,;ic~,11:.· di~'!?pc~rcJ. Th.:::rc W:J,S little c.'JtO:'lOi7'.~~ or self go~!Cr!l­m·:m"t ;;;v·.:r~ ":'~-;.; tho lee:.l l':,v~l r.r:d little pl:-.cc fo!"" n~·.:Jd""os in th'") n1n.i!1is­t:-<!tion c7.cep~ .. i:1. !:':inc·r or css-:...:--.tia.1!y hO:1-:: l'o.ry 2osts.

Tho' F!'·::r~c~ nrc; jus·tly p!"'ouc of the t~s!~ -:,':h:'ch tl:cy -:1cco,r.;-lith'.JG in bu.iLli:l.~ rc·:.c;, c,n'! :r:.il:·o:',·:'r., dC':iJl~?i:1G por:'s, cc:v!..1Ttinr; tho s·;:::.'.rr.ps of tho:: C-:. (;Ll~ nc:.in.:: ~e de :t~ s Ll t·') ric.:' l~,:,!!·:l.;" !'.~id· dC~iC lopi "r!Z tha ;.,i:1(:1':11 r0S'jll"C'::~ 'lJf TcrJdn. 'i"h.-;y ('.15(;- r.:'.~0 cv:--.:;ic.,~;r~~ulr: prog:cs,:; in i!:"lpl".r:.ting

~;~ ~~~~~[It.~.~::;,~~~r~ .)~!i~::,. ~·t ;.~~l~~ t~~~~~~~~h i~~~~~l ~"i~~:!:~;,~'J n~;~~~~;1 id1 (~~~.~~~ PGr>'...!J!".t':'r~j :r:·'"l.rJ:; roll ':'::.hcJ."':.';'':;' ;~!1-::':.::-.;::s..::: ::;p:j~~~: S;::::G F'rc!"lch.

,?;,.? o~~;.l?~ti( ... ~! [.:~d p~c5 r':c:l.tion 0:."' t:1C Cc,u:1try ',':o.s ;not. nccor.·"­.pli~h0d \:itho'.rt :1U~';l':;lS n.;\'")lts '\":"hich \'.'·.;rC'.pl!t CO';';!: ... ·;ith erct'.~ sO':l3rity_ The I:~:t.:(;".r.:"'.list :=l'J;;"~::-'C:1t, hO·::'.-;·'Jr. \·~[".S r:"'!Vo"'" ""'"7.?lotcly s'''pprrJS.:i'?d o.nd

.. ~ ...... " ... .,--- ~

developed particularly rapidly in the period behrcen the b'TO <Horld ,·rars. The COllu'1UTlists early became influential therein although never UllJUCrous. The Trotzk,yist faction was strong and at one time controlled the Indo­chinese Communist party.

The shatterin~ defeat of France by Germany and the ir.;l)lediately following Japaneoe occupation of Indochina dealt a severe blO";" to French prestige witt. the na.tives, while the earl:," Japan~sc victories in the Pacific extended this loss of face to all "hites. Even though the Annamese hated the Japs, five years of anti-"Testern propaganda left per­n:anent effects on the minds of the people.'

In the final months of the ,·rar 'Then defeat ,·;as inevitable, Japanese leaders in Indochina deliberately created a situation lThich "Tould l"!.'=I.ke the return of the }I"Irench difficult b;-/ settinE; up a llfltive government and allovTing arms to get into native hands. TQe allies had contributed to this situation by parachuting arms and SUIl}Jlies to the native undererollnd fighting the Japanese. As ill nl~at occupied count!'ies both in Asia and Europe, the Communists "Tere one of the most active and bcst organized elements' in this underground. Son:e months before the Japanese surrender Ho Chi mID! returned secretly to Indochina. He has had a long and prominent history as an ArL'I1amite revolutionary and a Comintern agent under a variety of aliases. For the Communists there was no question of his leadership; to others he ,ras rJlO"lm as a lift long fighter for independence who had returned from exile to lead his people. He had around him a sl1Bll group of able Co",,"unists trained as he >laS in ~'ZOSCO""T, or veterans of the Chinese' Communi st movement. Fol101'Ting the then current popular front tactics, Ho organized a coalition of political parties knO\'m as the Viet I,unh League and set up a govermnent in which Communist control was at first concealed.

Thus when after some delay the Chinese arrived in Tonkin and the British in Saigon to disarm the J.epanese troops, they found a native goverrD';l':mt established and in control.

A more detailed Recount of events from this point on "Till be found in the annex to this mernorandem.

3. French Colonial PoHcy, Past and Present - \'1hfle not always clear or consistent, French colonial policy before the "rar '\'18.S generally one of assimilation. In its highest and simplest for)TI, this was based on,8 com­plete absence of color or race prejudice and a belief" that the mission of Francl;! 'ilaS not to prepare her subj~c-t ·peoples for independence, but to convert them to French civilization',-'clilture, and relision and prepare them to b~corne French citizens and their homelands to beco~e integral parts of France. (Vartiniquc and Guadaloupe "ere exaryles of the complete ap­plication of this policy.)

This policy had been questioned even before the <rer and in 1943 General de Gaulle held a conference of colonial CA~erts at Brazzaville to consider post'l·ra.r colonial problems. At this conference ,·ras born the idea of the French Union "Thich was to be a centralized colonial f.edera-tion uith varying degrees of local autonom.Y' but lTith es};ential control rerr.aining in r-aris.

160

When France wns libel'atC"d and the drafting of a nevi Ctor;.si..:itution wa3 taken up, colonial policy played an important but c_cnfusill[; pn.: ... to Fe,'; of the deputies to the t,·ro consti tucnt assemblies k.n(~\·; mach alJout colonial matters while the fe·,o[ "experts" "[ere sharply dividcd. It must be rer.J.emuered that the average Fn.:DC:!lj::.':\.ll be]icvcs ;"1hat h("' ,·..-!'loS taught in school - that France is the only coloniEll pmrcr that really undcrst.Etnds the natives, that thq latter hl'C universally grateful for the benefits of }I'rench civilization and that any discontent is tbc '-TOl'k of a small ndnority of professional agitators. . ,

Those uho realized th.'1t th~ era of colonialism ""as past and that France must make fundarientnl c.hnnc;cs in her pc :i..icy if she ,·tere not to lost her clr:pirc could rr.akc little impresc.ion on the general alJathy and ignorance. Even the Communists 1'n?re h(!::dtant about goin,;; too far aeCl.inst public opinion by advocatinij ind€!IJcndence for the colonies, and ".rere probably also doubtful about the ,·risdom of breaking up an empire ,·rhich they expected shortly to control.

The result of all these factors \·;as a constitution ,,,bich lias extremely vague, confused, and conflicting on colonial r.atters. It provides for three classes of overseas territories - (a) the overseas departments \,,"bieb arf an inteel'al part of France, (b) the overseas territories ,·rbieb have limited local autonomy, and (c) the Associated States. The latter categorY"Tas created to take care of llolorocco, Tunis, and the states of Indochina. No details were given as to their posi­tion in tbe Union except that it should be determined an "Act" or agreement '·lith eacb Associated state.

The overseas territories (and, of course, the OVersc::as depart­ments) are represented in the Assembly and even more heavily in the Conseil de la Republiqtle, the upper branch of the French FarliaF.;cnt. In addition, there is an. Assembly of t.he French Union composed of balf colonial .:nd balf mctropclit.:m rne;,'!bers \o[hich, ho'W,;:-ver, has only consultative pOl .. rers. Finally there is to be a Council of the French Union COllJposcd of a reprcsentat.i ve of each Associated State, the President of JI'rance, and certain cabinet members.

It ,·ras expeoted that the Vietnam "ould be the first Associated State and tha.t the agree~ent ,fith it ,·;ould establish precedents fot' the entry of I·~orocco and Tunis. Unfortunately by the time the consti­tution was adopted and in operation, the situation 'had already gotten out of liand in Indochina. Ho Chi Minh ,73 S not willing to accept the erire:ncly ii!nited authority "hich the Fr"nch insistence on control of defense, foreign affairs, and economic policy "rould leave him, and incited by the inept policy of Admiral o'ARGENLIEU and his subordi­nates, he trade a surprise attack On December 19, 1946, "hich alnost succeeded in overrunning the French forces in Tonkin and Annam and resulted in the murder of n~ny innocent French civilians.

This attack strengt11encd the influence of the conservative and reactionary circles in France and Indochina and "ras follo~ .. ;ed by a desperate atteJ.>pt to pacify the country by rrJiJ.i tary l':Jean;:;. "ilii.Ie the control of most of tl1e cities ".ras recained, the couEtrysidc remained in the hands. of Ho t s forces and cpen fighting graduall,Y shifted to

bitter

161

'bi Ltc:' [~:).J cc~tn:.C't:."\·~"; [u;;r!''': J J I~ ~':::l'i :'.~"(.. . I,i ''':'}.~,:J ~".!J'; Yr,';~'!C~~ f\.1:) ";l'i­

C'rity !~4 !:.n:,s lind cqujp:; ..... Ii1: '.-!:'~ ~~~\I .. _r:;!.-:il h:,' ~··h·:' d:::.:: of' tho c:(.\~:;r~tryJ

"'.:H':: c.i:·flt::'tlty :.:: "t-ile t:~~T:.~t:'.I; ~!~:d ~.}!0 !I::·::·..:.ij~_":;/ of' ~·.h."'! C.c ... .-!J bu1:: of th·) ?·:::>t:l:~ti:r;!'l.

Th::J ro:;.li~~ti('l~ th~\t ?~.~j.fic~~:~io!1 o!' t:.o COU'1t:j7 by fOTC';, oven "if poss:'bJe, would -:'c u 1 .. mr;, !""n1 'c~5-tl:' p"O~CSt., ~1.:·vl fCJ.r thc,-:" ,·;or:i.d puhl.ic .:'!li:d -:m r.l.!.&h';; fo-ree i[;;r or .I:·:.~criC:::lJ: ~.;1t:(.; r-vc;"ti-::i1 caused the Fr':::lch 0o."'I",',J!":i!:!C:r!t to !hift !1vl~c~; i::. t: .. o :;pr!n; of 19·=~(i ('.:1d rCi')lo.co Jo,d.r;.ir~.l !:"~:.rc,"n~licu b:{ t;. civili~nJ 7.:. r.:,,:,i::"c :3Cll..:tE:;'l', ns :Ii~h CO::l­!ili$:;i':.l1;~r. I!':" ii,":."\S sent tr. S~i.,.,m ".:i t:h r.., precise in~tr\lcticr.s but \'lith thr. h.~,pc th:-.t ho zou:'d :'o;::h ~r.rocn:?!lt \','i~h &or..c:cna r..!1U step the tir;hti:lj,;.

In jiJd~iilC t!:.::: sitU'lt:'O:l en :~!J:~il 1f 19-!7, ,,"rh::n ho r.rr..!.~t·::C!. in Indl)r.hi~!'" cC·I'lC'p:::.,:::-~tti i..'"1 the FJ'O!'tc!;' :-"n',; ir1"tcr~:.:l.tit.r:.cl politicc.1 situ ... ntio:'. sh"!c.:.: l8~5 nu.;;t be !~cpt i:-:. r.ir.d. 'i'i .. o :.lQ:-.t ,ir.t~nrt'lnt 1::C.S l.:!l­

c!Club~{;dly tho {;r.:-"'.o;jn.; :pl:'.t ~ct;;·:cC':'!. t:-:o ~'jc5"';or:1 ?'·,';o:-s 6.n~ l!oscO"':i. t"':lon tho Fr.;mci,1 !"irst (,.ccc:'t~d -:'0 ..... ca;0ti!"4to "·:i·;;!-~ :11) Chi !,iinh, his

. Corr~",~n!i.ct :'\.'\c:~erc\.·!1~ • .... ur- of :r.li!1or i:r.:?crt~:-.ciJ. !-'r:l:".ce "':=:'5 un a:!.ly· of Russin, U!1i.! ~ho Fronc:~ C.,r.If:,'Jni~t5 wcre ~!l in:,orb.lnt elorncnt in tbo c ,-11' t; ... ,..-. ~r"~~'"'~or'~ l' n . "" r,' C"" -'"I t'h... 'r.'-,,, l' tll,\~ ""), .... "'C,l ;;'0('" rlJ Po,,' 1" ""rt .. ~ ...... -•• t,> ........... u. ,... . ..... ..... • .• ~ or·"'_ • - .. , ....... OJ.... _>.I •. ~.L .... ~

~rri".rcu O~ the SCC!'1l"J, tho i~7.Cr·2:.;.t5.o::!.~1 c.1'isis htd b3co;.:e clc.'lr, th~ CC':f!!~uni!;ts · .. :eTC ll~ loncer lr. the' F;"cn~!l Gcv·J!'!'.~ont. t'~ml the i'.:lct th1t. tl:o Vic~ :.:5.nh .. : .. ~:; CCO'!'''-::'I,.m.i~t cC':l't!",):l cJ' bc~,~:~~ an ir-lporttlnt politie6.1 f!lctor. Thus ?o11acrt c~or:. docic!cd thnt tho ra!'u!;p~icn of' n(f;goti::.tions wit!1 Ho ;-:as if.'IP.,s:siblo.

liiG deci:;io~ t':' cr(;t:.~o 0. ll.ao"l ':>"1i":io"'.1 !'or?o Il.rc·lnd. tr.3 ex­Er-.poror Ih.v D:.i fnd the It;n~",;hy ":"lr.·:~ c:-nf\lsc: !i.,,:go';io.:";.ic::lS ':ihlen f'01-10'::ec tt.iG erc dc.!lc:·i l:~c in tC';;:,:; c.~t'"l.!.l :'!1 -tho t~n:lOX to this :::.wn·J .. ro.ndur.... A: it fi"n'111y t.,ck i'on'l, .... ;h~t is eo~;:n;)l~ly called tl'.e !to11a.ert­Ba.o lhi s')lutic:-, rr::-.y be· ~u:::r:fJ.rizo-! o..s f,.,llo'!is:

n. It .... !f.~t n"c~:s!' .. ry to !'C~'1.ptl.~riJ [;OJ:, ~ho Co!;" .. ..,unists co::trc1 cf tho Vi-::-tn~::-, ~int!,-:>!"' ... "'.li!:it ;:'lQ\,"';:;I'":'c~ltS.

b. To do t~is it \.;::tr. .ncc3SSo.ry to sroup tOtothor nnti­C,OJ:'If:lUr...i3t !'orcos nr"lun-: sone politic!:.l fir;uro ...... ~th ~lJ.tio:;t.l 'Dros~igv nad influonce:. lk~c' Do.i l'!UJ selected - ,";ith ccnsidor­o.~l(: rcl\~c'~~~cc*- sir:ca i~ \';~\s: felt thco.t tr~.:!itipnnl r.tcnr.l.rc~ism • ..... 1\& still t\ r"':'c6 'lm~n.:; the p-::.:op!o~ (r~:i.1 ,-;'ec::-.. uf;C .it- '·,7.S fol-'; th!l~ his !""':"c.nch oC:u~tion r~n:1 the' fact thti.t his ";if'e is a. d,,\'"cut C::.taf')lia ·.'nu11! ~.~1~o r.i;} n raorc roc.sonabl:;; pcrso:l to dot'.l rdth).

c. .~:! IJ.zroc:-Qi1~ Yll)u1r! be :lC?'botiu'tcd , .. tth Rno Po.i gr::.ntin:; tho lUini:.:un !·!c.ticr.rll~. :;·c c!o::.e.nr1s.

<1. :30.0 D.'li ;':oul~ rfltur'1· t" F'J." ~l:d set .up 0. ·(;o\--,:,·rn.:-.-::>rrc . . "'/hich '::t:'uld b., :\ pol::.: of' "\tt.:"(~c~;ic.~ t., th~s·) c.1G:::cn+.s !llJ?port.,..

i:-:g [0 Chi ;~ii;.h "::hi~h ",;\JI") r...1't CO;:-:t.U.i5t.C;; C'l' sy:~,p"'.tl.izsrs .

'II Thi:; T,:.:1:.-.-::til.:1Cv·'\",",,:,:'l no-::-t onl:{ Cr!. -+';:V"~ jo'J·.-:·nc!". sijc. ~:lO D~.i h"lS :lCl c:nth'_'r.i:,,;.s:~l to o7.n~"'(.l!'ibC" th~ plc.n:::'lr.Js of thl3 Ri vier::. fer !\ rJirric:ul t and. co.nc?r{'.u3 positicn in It'.,·.::.

(prob::.tLl~.;· r..J~ of 1..11(' '~otal) [lnJ ,·,rhiell 1·~el·e l,econirz, inC'r(,~~3-ingly fed up l'zii.h the totalita.:r:iall 1!lct·l10ds Ulld di~clI)linc o·r

.. the CO!l::~~'J.llist lEU.deI's 0: the Viet r·linb t~nd discOU1"::"gcc1 by months Of. hardzhip in t}le junGle.

e. Gradually BHe Dai' s strenLrth would increase and Ho' s dedine lmtil the latter "lould either have to surrender, flee the country, or become a Iliinor guerrilla leader.

It is obvious that tbe success of such a plan reCluired granting sufficient authority and concessions to Bao Dni to enable him to es­tablish a stable government in at IN'.st a restricted a:cea and to con­vince native leaders that their essential den:ands had been met and that there vlaS no longer any reason for continuj.ng to fIght. In this Bollacrt failed, largely because of the politi.cal nituntion in F:cancc. The various "1'hird Force" govermr,ents Here not only w'eak hut sharply divided on colonial policy. 1'hC)~' "l(,""e particularly am:ious not to give amnRlni tion to the groHing strength of de Gaulle's forces, ahlllYs ready to e:; ... ploit the average Frencllr'",.ll'S out-or-clate vie,'lS on colonial rn.·,tters. Thus Bollaert' "1""8 not even able to pErsuade the Government to request Assel:,bly ratification of the extremely vague Enic d' Alan" Protocol of June 5, 1948. This faet i',as larGely responsible for Lao Dai 's decision not to return to InduchinQ ,.,h:i.ch rr!adc, further' stops in the implementation of the plan i1:;possiblc, even though a P'.ccvisional Cent+al Goverrur!ent. had been set up uncler General XOAIl, fOl'mer President of the Cochinchina Provisional Goverm:·:cnt.

Bollaert gave up in disgu3t and ,·;as repliiced by 1·\. Leon PIG!,:On, a young "career colonial'~fficer .. ,ith r.uch e::q"erien;:e in Indocbina.

4. Present Situation - 1·:. Pignon, beinea civil servant rather than a.polit.ician brOUGht f... f!""esh vic-;·:-point to the situf..tio~1, ~nd a:O-:Jca1:'.'3 t.o Dc.ye T.'£:.cle ccnz:l.dt,:;rable prcZI'ess tc·,:ards a sclut'io:1 in hl:s Sh0:;"t 1'''l'io<1 of office.

He has adopted the policy of bis predecessor but has been successful in having it ac<:!eptecl as tbat of the French C-overruoent rather than as a pel'sohal policy of the High COl:J:ilissioner. In th:i.s be ,;as aided by a nU!nber of factors, the most important, of course, being recent de,velopments in China. Even the most die-bard French political leader can realize that vlith the arrival or Chinese Com­mllnist forces on the Tonkin fr(:;nt.~.e~" ;·rhich 1"7oulc1 assist or perhaps

,even join .. rithHo Chi Kinh,the precadous French mill tary position "lould become ir:;possible. !"oreover, a gra:dng nU!nber of proT.linent F!'cr;:,cI1!:£:n in p~nd out of the G07~!T.L!::~r.t b5.S in recent l:onths e.dvo­cated liberai concessions to Vi et)cal;, iif.tionalism. Lyen the Indochina r(:;solution of the R~PP (C-aul1ist) Cor.GrEss last fall -vie:C snrprisir.gly mOdel"ate, (alt.hou(jh GGneral ce Gau.lle himself has been less libcral).

Pignon reopened negotia.tions "lith Bao Dai in l~ove!{!bcr and continued them in January after his return from a brief turn in Indo­china. Little definite is kno:m as to the exact status of these negotiat:t.ons, but apparently concessions have been n;ade on both sides. Baa Dai has agreed to return to Indochina if the I'rench ilsseljbly ratifies the Baie d 'Along Agree~:ent and cbanges the status of

Cochinchina from a French colony to a part of the Associnted state of Vietnam. A debate on these points is expected eurly in J·:arch. Bao Dai also "rishes the prompt signill3 and ratification of a treaty cover­ing the subjects reserved· under the Baie d'AlOllg l'l'otocol, but it see!!'.s doubtful· if this can be accomplished in the tir.;e available before his return. DisaGree1~nt still eOl1tinaes on certain pOints, the most important al'Parently bcinB over separate diplol!l!'ltic representation for the nm·, state.' Th~ French are believed to huve 'Jffered consulates in neighboring countries and Vietna~ officers in certain French missions.

Opinions differ considerably as to the chances· of the French Govermnent to obtain the necessary parliamentary action. Undoubtedly opposition ""I·rill be violent fron both the cxtrerr,e right and left"""Iiings 'tThiIc the Socialist Party will be seriously split. Hen·rever, specul­lation at this tim-e is pOintless since the F.atter ""I.;ill presumably be settled by the tinre the conference opens at N""I Delhi.

A more pertinent question is - assuming Bao DeJ. returns .- "Tbat chances has he to establish a stable government, split aHay the non­Communist foll",-,ers of Ho Chi !,linh, and eventually pacify the country? It is believed that the most important factor >Till be the nature of the French agreement In tb Bao Dai and the Jlieaning "Thieh it gives to lIindepelldence ""I·ritbin t.he F'rf=nch Union. tI If this independence is a sham "ithmost real- authority remaining in. French hands, then Communist propaganda proclaiming him a puppet and .a traitor "ill be. vindicated.

A second factor is the l1'anner in "1hieh the re1;urn is staged and ~IJe agreement ·is ill1Plemented. Because of the delay, inaction, and disunity on thc pS,rt of the French in recent· months, theVictnar.l leaders and people have become c~ical and' distrustful. The popular enthusi­asm ",hieh might have been ~arQus~d' b~r the return' of Bao Dai last June can no longer be expected. Furthermore, the French civilian population in Indochina .,-riil b~ sullenly hostil.c to any n""1 reBime '''hilc f",' of­ficials can' be cC>.l:tPted on to offer real cooperation in th~ difficult transition perido·;-·' The result of the French local elections in I,:arch "Till o.lsa be a factor since if.' they for.ecb.st a return of de Gaulle, doubt ",ill be cast on the permanence of the. agreement l>1.th Bao Dai •.

FinallY'lIIUch "ill depend on Bao Dai's ability'to resolVe the rivalry and intrigue bet,,,,en Vietnam leaders and the reBional jealousy and suspicion bet>reen the three provinces "hich are to form the Vietnam state. The Tonkinese are poor but energetic, intelligent and aggressive, the Jllmamese poor :but cultured and proud, "hile the Cochinchinese feel tnat the other prOVinces are interested mainly in sharing the wealth of their region. Opposition to the French and Chinese is about the only -th~ that the leaders of the three provinces see e~e to eye on •. Cochin­chinese separatism has been encouraged and supported by French business

.interests and less openly by many French officials.

B. Internal Situation in camDodiaand Laos

The people of. cambodia and laos differ in race, religion, and te~erar.,ent frOm the Vietn~ricse, arid the problem of. their relation "Ilth France is less difficult and acute.· Cambodia bas good reason to fear

the aggression

tL' ';'..:.~:.:.:r·~:, ,d on ;:of bo{:h f. ir.n t~::;'-! "';~.?'. ~':!\' :;n ~:::, . o::.r,.. :.,"1..... ~.': .. :::.:-~i. P!.:- tc::! ~u~'tltc h .... :: -:. litoT:1.1 ~t} ... nini::c Fo::l~··:j·!,; th·~ !;'.Ii:.'pn.l:-'r (,r "h:J t.r:"r("4.1~S.) ~ ;.1':1':'':'Z

"'; .... • .. ·1(1.: ...... ,. ... ~ .. T,.J ir. 1~"6 ···i-'l-· -i;\'Q -:;" ... ··;·; .. :1 ·::-r·· .. ····jnT 10 ...... l ~\-.;· .... -lC".·-.f---_-=-._:.~.:_: .. ::. ...... oJ ...... b.. .~ . ~. ..... .• .... ........ ~ , .• , .... -oJ • __ • :1.· •• 1 ...... .

V:.st yc~u' C(l.r.lbodia. ant! ~.r~o:!" br.'.· .... nc tha l'ir:.-t .ls30ei~.i..or.:: S"::~~"t,· ... s i:1 tho F.·oneh Union, and r\Z;c(;ntly i..!:~ .1 ~.!'1eCP(m10."'IC.:'" of C:l.rr,b'Jdir"l. .in th·:: Pl'c:"ch Union ·,.;as pruc~o.i::!.Jd. T}1'J r:o::::~i: .. ~':lt:O.n~ f:tl' (',~'. ~.(.r·.::c:r-';llt or' i.r~.~tJ to c!ott1r:-tinoJ: tho ;:.o':l!:inG or t1l'::':;"':: t(,r:i::; hr~s ·;"0(,:'1 dJ.ln:tc.! \:.:-r';i1 th·~ Vict:t.'\!"l problc!:l is scttl'JC: •. -.. d t;l thn :r-::Hch' pr ..... T;"~i;:;i~b 1..!1'l t Ca::i~)';).!ic. v:oulcl ro­ceiv-:; nt 10:1.5-: tho :;'-otr.O c·:mc·)~!;ic:!s.

C:l:r,bodin h:..s a. r~a;'1 libcr~.l ccn::;t'itution :..n:l h~s m;~do S·'):rIO. pro­gress in Ij,d~pti:lr; the fcr!:1!: .o~ dcr.to~rn -;y. F:-cnch officinls aro ::10\'"

cnllod nC!vi:;")l'"Z tc their C:,,:"!ib,-;':'h.n CO~l:'ltorp~!"t::; a.J~..! .c:·:~r·~ their (\"'.l­

thc.rity Inrgcl:r behind. the :::CGncs.

Thoro r.c.s been incr.:::~si:~r; ~vi1cr"co ~.r Cr.~bo<!i~n. i!i".£)!\tionco over tho dcl!ly in fixinG thc:ir fj.!lal et!'.t'.l::i, n:1d. (\ cict':)r::1i~c.tic:1 to "rin wicor nutoJlc:;':Y :lnd sovcroiGnt~.-. l~. Pi~no:t tt.:'J. f::U·r.1·}r Governor of Cnr::bodin crln bo cxpt3~toe. to be s:r.nP~thctic to ~heso dOJ':"lO.nds.

tonas ":Iith 0. pcpul~~tion of 0:11y c:1.a !:liJ1ic:1.1 thi:lly sc.,.ttorcd n1011;:; th':l' upper ~.!ckonb, is c';.,)]! less a p:olitic~l prcblc:n. .'1.!'tOl" tho wa.r tho r'rcnch set up tho J.>"l·i~cc or Luong fr!J.u:l:lg n's Kills, of' L'3.oS uncor :l tcn?ornry Q,Grcc:::cnt s:'mi.1"r to th:~t ""tit~~ C!"!.:nb·,dic.. 'i'r.Q French o.dI:ll:listra.tio!1 in. L!l.cS 15. ho .... c·t .... .:r, much tlOr;) direct. nne. opor... Tho rC[;i01l. .hr.l.s been bC:lor~11y pc~cc!'ul, b'j'1; tilCl"e }-.:n~o r~cc!ltly boon rnmrs of ct)llct;ntrntion CIt ".Free L:l( ... tinr1s" i!l the Sin!:k1s',J provinces 'llong tho J,ickont; -.;;hich :-:~y fOl"ec:..st rc.id:i in:to Inc.:)chincso tClrriJ~ory. # Tho ob­ject.i va of the Frce VJ.oti~~ns is np?':lr~ntl-:.' ~n jhco~endc:n4; f::t:O'::.t·cr Lnos includinG b~th tho French pro"dne,) {,nd terri".;or:'os inh.:l.bi ted b:r L~otinns b~~ . .

c. Intcrnf~tior.'ll Rclntions.

1. United St'lt(;~ -' Post wllr ri)lt;\ticnn bO~~"'I(:O:1 tho United Stn:tos nne. Imlcchino. t~t o'f!' to 0. bntl start'W'ith Prcsic!cn':; .Roo~cV"c1.t's vic .. · .. s .... on jnt~rl1:ttiom:.1 tru~t!;cGh!p for s-cratcgic (l,r~s in tho' .h:l.nds of powors u:"J.~blc 'to c1c!'cnd thc~, fo11oy:od by the' o'\""cronthusic.s~ic l\cti vi:'" tics of cer"to.in C5S [\bCJ"~t$ i~ the period just bofol'c o.n"d ~fttr· tho JC.Pll::OSC surro::ldor. Tho belief thr.t the. pc"1icj" of tho Unitce. S-tq.tcs is to t:lrljj'i t1-.e FrCl!ch out or Indochint-. still PCI sists in :rAny' circles both in IndochinC;, 'md in l-'rn.nco. Ue o.ro :-:.160 blo.r.t.cc 'ro:" pll!":nittine; tho' Cliinc::io !;.!'.d E:1g1ish to CCCt.p, the ;n~rtl,oril (~!!d tou.!~ha:rn ha.l "'IDS of tl:o . country to eisc.r!:1 JlJ.pancs'l trr,j0p:i. "Ou'r'pv:"$ist(:nt ro.f\lsnl ~o sv.pply oqu.ip~C!:t c.!,l{! c.r;:'!; :Oor French lilili-: .. ry o~vrll.tionn in I:vloc!tinn, is e. st::!!"o subject ·.-;ith :r.:':'st Fro:lch n.rn"J ci"fioOTS. ,Another source of irri­tc.tic~ il':l.S b'-.;cn ·tb) o.l:.\~~':'; u~·~j·~··::rs·~l tcr.dcr~c~' of ;~~oric=~ll corrcspo::donts visi ti:1t; Ir.doehil1{l, to ,,·;r5. tc nrticlcs' cxtr':::-:1oiy cri tic!!.l ot tho French. "

As' co::c!ltions bl ... ·,~: Jr.'t.::rioI"r:.tr.::d in. Ir.dochill'?o (a.nd in Eur:>pc) there h~5 be');. r..:roJ u:n~~r~tc.~:.:i!!G cf our po1ie:t ,.nd !!taro c1csirt:: t·o obt:'l.i~ CUi" npprT.,"t;:.l :-~':'1':: -lr;si~.t":'.:--.cc in i:-.pl(!:::o~+;j.n.; FrCli.ch ?l~.,s, nr,r1 nt hichur lovols roj.("l.tion:; nl~:...:~:.r:.!'.!vi31y cor..iiol.

'In rocent

165

l'!l rc;~cnt ... rlJo::'~ ~.~I~(: !'·rc·~Y..5i''''::;:-:-:i:· :\cti· ... ~l::..' :'U~;i'f)l tr:,l !JlT)CI':~t1 G for fc"t:::, pO'::~::" CO:lp0!"'~t:!.on :i n :::{)'.1thQ~\:'~~ ;l -:df'. 1.c !/l~:·) ·<.:;>:It th<'; [.~!"'l:'J.(~ C'!' CO~_"1.'l:li~::~. ~nd the::"s h').:; b(~';-:·1 r::·.l:""!I::. '~,~l~: :;'·~·"jll::'; the 3tl't'.i;oe1c in,~ort:,.nc.:":l of' IliJ.(\chin~ ~s r. b~s·cion ~lZ".ir~~t thor: CC1XI.:.1'::;:.t:ru ~r-rarA of Cl·J.nc3o

;'s f:\r "lS tile i~:-:n::'I~it~s f..Te CO~lr.;)rnoc., they ";ore c:l.'~ourl).gcc1

to bel ie\"o t!1r'.t ~ftal" tLo C:-::fc:,t of ,lc.pnn ".::0 ;·jo'..lld as;;j $t them i!'l. ob­tninir'G in(lcpIJr.d')ncn. As it r.·1Cf'.:;-.O ~Pl)~r(:n~ 'th-:~t OU!' s:t'7I!;?"J,thios \;ero tC!i\pcrvd. bj' :;~r::::!;c;!C con.S.L::;:)4·~tiCl!1S in Eurcp-::; the pcpul~\rit:r or tho Ullit..::c Stn:tcfi hn.s dir:li:liG~:o::d. HC7~~TJ~~,elosfi, tho prestige of' tho Unitod St::.t.,s is still h.iGh, r'.nd even ~ro. Cili l.~i::1h h'l5 b·~on c('.1'·:;fu1 to provont r..ny public !\nti-Am~!"i('c.n prv:> .... ~c~ndo.. .

2. Ch5.n~\ - Tho ci ",ilizo.i;;io~l of "':.ho Vic,tm.'.m is essentially Chir.'..lSO" o.n<i pol:: . .ticul c;'::'l1 cult:"lr".l t:.cs 110."/11" ~ocn clon·.) thrcuf~i:OlJ.t th.o cc:!­turL-:s. !!cv3:r-thcless. t.here is little ~:lr'":put!~y or n~tur: ..... l U.king bct.":::acn the to·!C l'~CCS lr.re;oly because of tho fc~r of future Chincso cxp~.;.!lsion r;.n1 jcnlo'.l~Y of t.h::: 1r"l.rgc Chinese ~inori~:t whioh controls most of the bn::i:!oss nnd trn.dc of tho cOl1utry. Tho Chine so occupying; forces i::1 TonJ:-in Q.!!r1 nort:tc:n .A!1!'l:\n i-=:ft 'Oo11i)"ld n bi ttCT nemo::ry.

In thQ Frcnch-~hi~e~·, 'i'rc~~y or 1946, Fr(l.!lco r;rrmtod. i!i"f'ort:J.nt conc~SSi{"l!lS in Chir..r1e Those i=:.ciuQ.'::d tho rC~':;UTn of' tho ~ronch co!'\­cessicn in Sh~nGh!"l..i c.r.d the lc!!.scd tor:'ito:'Y of' K..,,; ... ~n~cho ... '!.:" the st'~10 of the Chinese portions o!' the Yun:1c..n R'lilro:~.d, :l free port· in l!o.iphong,

.o.nrl tho cont~m':"ltion of frc,:: Chi~c~(: i::'.!:'!iGl"''ltj.cn· i~to sQut"!1orn !!1e.o­c!1in~. The 1~.tt0r .1';"':0 provi:-;l'=>::s unecrcd Vi~tnn.n. li:::::-.dcrs, and thero h'l· ... e. been rCl'·:.~tcd ".T."' .. rnin.:s .I.;l·L~.t sinco they ·woro :not consul ... .,;cd in drc.i'"ti::1f,': tLc t!,"3~.ty, they oic! !:ot co!!si f1or tr.o::1:';Cr"';05 bo'..md to hO:lor it ... ·ihc:l thoy ro~~i:t.cc! thc,jr ir.doponccncc. Attnc~,:s on Chinese irrni­grc.tio!1 o.!"r.: fT~SUC:it in th" nntiviJ press. The FrOl":ch o.uthOTitics hfJ,vO b:,:c:l feT fron !'cluctf'..nt to hood tn.-=: vOlca of' public opinionJ # !l!ld aTC c~dc:).vorins. to c-!.lCck :::,:·:·!.it;r"tiol! b;,r ::; .... :rict on~orc(;!!~::o.t of quo.rr:.ntino o.nd oth'Jr rog\~:ntio:i.s.

' .. i':"c ?!"'obll":!!l of Chi nose Co::t,mnists ;vill bo trcctcd in a. sub­

s~qucnt section.

3. Ph!lip~:£!. - Politic"!.l nn(~ oconcnic rolt'.-tio!ls betroon IndC'­chi:,~. c.l:~ "thc F-hili"??inc nClh!blic (".ro of' surprlr.ineJ.:,;'" tlir.or ir..:>ortnnco. ThClrc i;:, n':rt f·"';'l!l [!. Phili?ri!i.o C01:s1.!lr.te in S~~iCOlh Yict::l~n politicn.l lcaccrs a!'c ::1uc!"! i.ltcrcstod i:1 l-'hilir>;,ino j!l:";~pcnd.cnce r~:!d the n~ture of tho T)alitic~lJ ::rl.litr.ry, ~.r~d tCol:or.tio r,gTCCT'l.Cl;ts ~:;ith thc Unitc:d States." .

4. . StD.::!. - Tho c.:;::;ciml of Cnm=crlin.!'!. c~!lcl 1,nCltinn tcr!"itor~t to Si!!.!l un-!cT J:."IT".::1.:;-;;c· procsurc 1::1 1911 1(·1't Frc1':oh-Si~\:-:1~S0 rcln.tio~E in f'.

d;lnf;t:::rcu3 c-t~ 1;0 ": .. ho~. tl"_~ ~::!l r er:.d·:d.. A!"t;er prolo:lf:;cd ncgc tin -ti.ons, Si~!1 rotl1.:rnc~ t~c pro'7ir.c r.:s ':t:..~"':; l; .... s Ji.C;~.'-cr o!'ficinlly ncccp"tod tho d-::clsic;~ of tho cO:1!:ili.r:.ti.on (.o::-Jai::sic.:-u

1'iit~ th0 :!d~-0n.l.:. of p,.~·!(:r of' !.:":'.rs!m.l P!nRU:·; thc French h!'.-.··~

.. :'.GC :;I;rcnu('..us (.;!'Tort::; to i:-:!)rovo r..:=lt',tic::s ... ·:ith Si~.~i. .l\.grccr.\-~nts ,,:ero cO.T101udod l~s-t :J0~r for c,Jopcr~~tiori i:1 p:-.::ycnting s!:"lu.c.crlir.G nilr1 --_ .•. ....:..-

movcr..ont5

166

'l'!CI\··~.;!:~;:::"t::: c"~ r'~~ rl:j.sc.ll J ~~C:·O~ ': 1..~:(;; ~r,:i,fJ o~: ~\f': 1;:-:.~ :):t:'c~cr ... ;:' S i".T .... ,);,1)

r:OV'1:O·:I~.1!J":'l:~' is !!~;.:.·.:.h lO!:5 t.:;;:~p::d;.;1i~tit;. t~.:·;·.',;\J·~~'j th''; l.Lre;·) ~:-:·ll.p of Viet }:!i,n r.:f\.tf,0.:Hi rvsid.!.r .. ::; i~i. Si:\"::>.

5, .!:::.~:~;,,~ .... r.rith the o:.!i;~~~:~k of di::;Qr~or;. i:t l;:~lc.j·.{\ l'l:::t y~C'.r tho F'rOn(;~l felt th·::.t -:::1"".0:; eQuici. C:':!?:'ct c;rc:):b;::" s~r;:ip!\t!-!:r r.nd cocpm'ntion fro!".1. !:;1O ~l'i'~isil f.u·i";hcri·;;iod in Sir:.C\1porc. r'h0I'O h~~vc bc,on ~ I~t,,;:.b·Jt" oi' \-isi"t3 b1Ck c.ni fOl't.!1 Qr r.:iiitc-.ry c.TI.d ci -iili~:l cri'fci~2s ~ 7ho ~cJl.3rnl ir.t::)r~ssioll is the:t the Fronch (',1'0 !lU~h ::J.oro c:'..~..::::- t~{:,n the Lritish ..

6. .!::~~~.~~c: .. T~o Fl'cn~h ~('~vo n:"turn11y ;;y.r():\thizcd c.nd supportcd tho Dut.ch ill -+;hcir dif:"'ic'..11J.;i·::3 .l:!1 I):~~"!'1('sh".~ '1"h-:: rocent polic~ r,ction h~s b,,::c!l .cnthu'}i:ls"i:;:ic':lll:: :;.p~."()v.:d, ::-.::,-.! ':;'~')O cd;ti"t.wlr::: o!' t:tc U::1itce St:ltcs end i.u:.t!':'..lir:. :,ittorly a.tt.nck.:(~. Thc:rc is un.~'.ou";)"tc:!ly an uuG.cT(mrrcnt of cn'J;,~ r.nd jeulously over tho cO::-1trr.s-;" botv!'Jon Jutcl1 i. .... ili';,;<lr:: .... $UCCOSlOS

and. French .r":"!.iluroE.

~'ho' Viotn:ti.\ pco.?lc n~tl.lr~ll~t syup::!;i!hizo wholchc,c.rtc.dly "rlth their Indoncsir.n !'ol).o·_·, suffo:"ol's, ~.nc! the roc.cnt co\".olop!1cnts r..!l7e been £ivcn t.s t~uch p::-o:;:.~nc:ilcc in t.","!c n. ...... ~tiv., press ~s cc,nsorship \'roulrl pcrI."lit~ Tho clo·~·vlo?::lQ!l.t!" in tho Sc·::.u,:-iJ.;y Coa~.t:.il h~"!o r::mlJrnlly boon. groctctl ~';i t;, disi U.\\.Jiol~r..:·Jnt end c.. rr.::quci"~t :-"c!l;c1;ion res boon "tn'J.t tho Ti1ist!~kc of ·tho Inde-,csim-.o "ft.S to plQco' teo ,:,.'..;.\}h t:"'l,.l~t i!1 tho United ll~tio:!s r:.n·:l in tho :Jnitcd Sta.to:: ns ti'lc lcndin{; momoor of: tnnt crgr.ni­z!ltio!l. The Ucw'!'oll:i Conf'crcli.c·; -ercr:.J..,;cd 1it+~o c:tch:;oT.lc:rf"· 0;;:" cr~:~l:,u.si­

nSD, ::Lnd the ci'!'oct or .CQ:r:':.1.mi.t.t p!"oP!""ZC'.:1d.~ i. ... :\~ clc~~rly .visi'hlo in cort.aia nrticlc.3 ~c!l.o~!'lcinG H"h!"U !':oS a r,:.;,nb;Jr 0: the ir..porinllst c10.:1. D;'~:lppoi!1t:-~:.:r:":.; o~:or tho to.C1; ti:.!'.t -/jctn:L.-:l rcr;:-oClc:rt.~t5.."\?o:;; -,·t,Jrc ::'101

-;;

in\·i~;c.:1 r.::.:~ t!lo.t Incoc;1iha. \~~S not;. c:.iscusscd v:a.s undo .. :.btcc11y C'. motor in the paor pro::;::; rocoi .... ec. b)' the ccr.foronco.

7. Ir:.di"~ - Tho consicc~blo I~·;'i~!i. lainori~y, most of -;::ho~ o.ro shop kOt;)ci':sC',n..! r.:o::.e:r lenders, .. is the most i!'~pol"t":l!\t !'c.cto:" i!l rola.tiona bct'r/cen Ii:I~oc};:\r.\". and !::-.jir._ Tho presence or a. .nurJ.oor of Iilinor ori"ici~ls. chiefly polio..:-, f:"ora PO!ld!chcr:!, 0.150 tcn·1s to ha.rm·ro1c.tion3 bO~;lcan

- tho Viat:"l!lr.!.oso ~,n:! 1r:r1iun:;;. Diffi cuI tics O.7cr the future or tho French tcrrH;;orics' in Indio. !"' .. 1.tu·rC\lly gets I:'lUch attention in th!l Fronch pross_

. . It is not bclicvvd tr~'\t fiR. inco~cndc!lt VicJ~!l.o.I!\ ,,;ill bo cnthusi­

t.stic o.bout ~cc".t't.ir.-~ tho' lOllc!crshj.p cf~ 1::1.{1io. in SOllthoost ·Asia. •. ·ll.:1 effort t'l p2'':'~p of! ·"\;.ho India.r.. .o.&:liT\s~ th(= Chi:1os'3 'lC.n bo c~pt)ctcd.

A b!"icf eot;criptio!'l of tho C":r~;,mi!;::l in !:-~or.:hi~o. beforo nn1 dU!"ing the i'/~r f'.a1 ho~· .. it g~i!"lCU cO:1trol cf" the r!o.tior;.o.list nov\;)::1enJ~ i~ i!l­clur.lo:l i:: 5cc!;ic.:1 J-.,.J r::'..r~;. 2 ..

CO!'J:-.~lnist. c~~tr:)l is o:(C;,!';i::;·Jc. =-.lcag st.'\nd,"',:"d 1i!'.l3s 'with top o.uthority i:1 trl'~ h:-.:i.~!; 0: n. ~o~!t!'~l "·J;'I!~,i,ttr.J-:: k:l.';· .. ·::l a.c i::l~ Tr.n£. 'Bo. J~11 ;"ilit'"l!'~· u::1i·;;::; hr:.;.~!'l po) it:,~ ... :~ CC;::;1:' r.n!:'s t'ol"!:.! PTo!=(:.t;o.ne.." unit::: axis'!; o.t r.11 1-:·.'010. 7ho ::ocrcr:; :>olic.:; is ·."I.l!l or,st'.nioz."d Cone C.Cti7C ..

161

1:0 0;~C' l::llCo,'!'> ho';: n,'l'"!:.r CC·:i:."l-::,:i~::.~~ i.::~;r·.~ c."!":: if!. J. ....... ::-t;h5r!:'L, 1,!,,;,(. t~"!-:. mr:,b:r Oi" r.:,::-~l !~~!·ty :::::"i:ji)l'f. j:=: ~c:~·{·.c.~ .• ""!l.~ ... fF:·~"tl, T'lG !:i[.~F.:'3"'; c:::t.i':.r~tc

i:-; 2':i;'~ of the troor:; i'i;:"'!t.:.~::::: ~':it(1 !i') C~:i !.:j;:::-t l\n'l'·~·hi~ inc.lndc;j syl:"r':~1;~d:::c:r::::" 1:o:':')'TC'- J -:.ho ::'",-:;:r.1\..101' i~ undc·_!1, .. ..;·:.(:1~;'" gl'N':':nG .. C!:.(~. nt the f:~~C

tir.o :lon··Co::-:':~lu~i::;",; r~iilit'u:r U:l':"t.:::: ~re b0i!li; st,)!":.Gi1y :i.ni'iJtrQto~ ~'lith secret ~~~lmJ:.s.. Units u:1.d.-::!~ C.)~':~~'.m5.st co:r_"T.:.,\l~cl ~iv ~1Jr.oTc.11y bct!.cr r..rnod. T~'J.5 tho probl..:.~ f()r tho .1or't!0r C('IT.t· .... D:");.o.t:in,::; c.:"':.',r.:;ir:.Z E;i~!~5 in n01; nn C:-tS:'T onc.

;\!1othcr po':'n:t; on "l·lhi"r.-h C:ci''::'nitc infor!::o' .. ti")n is l.",c~:ins is the Ch~!~IlCl 01' '="!":.."':l.unic~"tio:::.s "".'l:.th !;",}G"c·j·:,~ !\n:':: tr..? cc:"'!.t.o::r of rl,}cior..~l CO~l­

trol. [ft i:: p!'ob:lbJ.::- th').t :-"l~ 0:' .... l1C :\.tJr.il::~lc ch~nr.cls nrc U5C-:1 -

o .... ;)rlr:.~d. fro::~ Chin!':., Bu~-r.'l, t'.nd S~.~~:'l, n;~d 'by SOJ. f1'o:1. Ci·!i:\Q., EO:l£; KonG, l',~d Sir..:;C',p~rc. It is :tiee vv~'Y p05s5010 "t::r..t t.:osco·:r dircct::""loS nrri v'; 'li:"l r'T.:\nca:l Ccrt-::.inly sf'.tisff'.c:i;cry cC::~.I.:.~ ... ic:,ticns e7.ist sinco lo~osco·.'! .";)ublic~tio! .... s of £o.ir1y l'cc..::nt cTi;e t.t'o .r!·~qUCiltly :icizcc. b:: tho r"ror..ch;,r:Co:~;!u~iS~ hcnd1 ..... '·li!,;,::!·S in GOl.:th A'3in nro v'lriously 'rc!)ortct! to bo in lie:'b r:OP.6, 3~r!.b%C~·:, Si~n~orc, r":~l .. goO~", n:;l'} Cc,lc~.lttn. iiong KO!"l:: SOCT:1~ to bc t!--.a ~o::;t 1i!wlvt .

. - ~ .

One ?ccu1i::l..r tr6int; n"'t.out V1ct.r.~r.l.· Cor.l..T.m:is;.t I:; th!l.t there h.~s beon vcry little [\Ilti-:1:;:c:-ic~:i. pl'O"!i!l.zn!~ .. k... It is o!:!vio'..lS t1'.!l.t th!s is not clue to iC:1c:-ru1Co of' tho c:lrrc;!t ,.:~r·ty lin~;. It (.p,nrantly rcprcsc:r.t.s c. hope or. t.:10 p:l~ of Eo Cl:i :!inh t!1..1.t he ·n~:r s-t:i.l1 ob·:-:;.l.in Ar;1cri(~J.!l supp·")rt for 01· c.t least .~cccptrmco of 0. Vic"':;' Minh eovern.-n·:m·t un1cr his 1cC:.::or~hi? Evidor..cc tn~ t this hope is e.i,:dllishing is furnishcd in 0.

rObio:J.~ 1 p:"".rty t!i!'c:cti"IJc do.t(>t:: in ·lioYo:!"io3r 19~~6 ",::hich stc"!;ed. th:".t (l.cti 'h"! t'.r::~i-":\i.'.·:,ric:~!l pr.Jl)!\cc.nr:r. sr:o\tld 1.:: cm:;iu·::tccl. in 'p~rty circles Co:;.-=!. by \"ior~ of nO'tt!'l' r.: ... .,:;.g. tho p:loplc but. cr.ou19.._J~ot yet ai>?c~r on tho r::..dio, :in th"! ;>rc:;s, 0:- 1:1. ?:.lblic SpC')c] .... ::s=L..Tho ;;1!dn thor-I) of this pr');-:'..!;=..r:':l:::. ";::;'5_ to, 00 thr.:.i; t:1C i.J!'.i~cd St~to3 is t.n L'":l"l)crio..list PO\'!C:!' · .... : .. !.ic:h Ili::,s ';;0 cxto~(l itu clor".i~1' .. ,:l;ion O~/vr Inc.och:L"'":!.Cl. l'i11 Co r.A:n:'lor 070::1 l:1.r)::--c cn:.ol ::.m: rl:.t.hlcs~ th~!1. tho Fl~C!lchi'. Ln illtcr~sti~g ito::\. "1:..5 t}.-:!.·::; p:'"c-.~~.:::rit:!4n :~~i:l."!·iitc.: ,,·[,';:r'C to be dC:;'OUl.CC': in o.non:;IDous lGtt0rs to FrC!iC!1 ofi'icin13 'w!1ich i:"luic.'1.tos tho.t tho Co:!'~"!",unists urc '''-'.'rUro of the s:'nil~rity bo"!;y;con ",;;h~h' l?!·op~e;:~:l..d.'l o:ui the belief of cert'.\in French circles.

The problcn of Cor:-;...'"!1unism nr..Cln~ tr.c Chinose li1~norit~~ i3 one ,· .. hich h~s b~cn (;i ~;O:-L n,lc~ nttontio:1 b:{ the Frcnch I"\uthoritics.l cspccic.lly since t:'1C sit'..l!'~tio:l bocrl..!:lo cri".;;,icnl in Chi!l.:l" Up ':lntil no"';.'l t:!1crc }~S b3C:l s-:.trpri.:i;tg 1i~tle direct cocpcr!.\tion bo~.';(jen loc:d Chinese CO!;"1~

r.J.l::'lists ~n(l the Vi,,'::; ~.1i:lh, Thore r.TO ,;ory "£:J1;t Chinese Coi:lonb the insur,30:1.-:' trt:l');>s,o.nJ. th.o:! Chi(;!. ... of Sur<:'to str~·~C's thn.t no Chinesc h.'1.(1~

C7cr fl·:)',)!,! ::!'.tlZ;~lt t'l.::ir.G p:-.:-t in r;]"(~:-.::";.~1e i;h~~c:'-:'!1!; or other terrorist o.cti-.ritics .. :a,Y:;o"i.Jr. the Chi;lC~i) pln..y Iln i~"()o!"tc.nt p':."'~rt in cO!l':!7J.mi­

C'lttCt:.3 ~nll in St"_'.l;I£;linC r-.r::lr; r-.!1·! s"'-.l!?plios, For sen') nC!1th3 no..-! triO FrCI:d"!. ~:::.--!;) 1:.'':!C!l. ';.uictl:.r r:)I.m;~inG -..:.:> :1:v.1 C.C?01't1nS s::-~~11 bC'.tc~"';r;s or k;1~/';;:: CO=~'"':7.l...""1.ist lc~d.;:::-s and th·? $'ur·.;ta fC31s tr.;:;y h;"~....-o tho . .s-it!lation \'1·')11 :).11 :!1.!";.!':.(:. 1-:1.!\ rO'1cZ';t cO~l"t:(;!"!':~ti(jn -,!i'.;;h '~ho hct::.t'!. of the S·.trotc ho, n')-:cr·t.;1IJ1'J~s;. C':;':~H·t"",;~;.cn :.'(j~1 Cl\:jt}'.l~ct (;701'" t:~c t·::m~cncy of t:-~o

loc·~~l Chi::'":.':;':: c:")r:-;:-,t1::-:i\{ to ~lir.;;) 0:1 the bn..~d -;lacon r.s Co::-.. --::u!list victt;ri.;-s I:: Chi:l~ l-("l.! 1/"11 c;-:..

G'·"/' ' •• :./\' JI'"

158

It i::; hcli€nrcd t!-;lt a b:-ic!" c!iscu:sio:l of ,!;hn 'bn:::1:z:rou-::.1 ~ ~s~cn~-:iF.l t.o ~l:~ ll."H.lcrsol,;~!!.di!!Z of t!if''; pr~Gc:nt sitUfltion. in :!ldo­chin!.!.. '!'hc follo":;'inc, !?u.rti.;r:l.p!~~ ~cccrci:"i;)y PJ-~5e!1~- n .sor.e\·!;;:l.t o .... ur-s:i::J.?lifit:c, "l'Jrsi.,:l, 0:'" (:-:';l'_~';S :;~l!CO 1J·:5.

C:1 i.~~rch 9, H'I,;S, the .. 'l'an'"J.l~~~-a took Ol'er cireet control of t!-i.3 ndr.:ini!: .... r:ltlC':l of I!;':oc;-~i!!o., ~ist~rf.1.;ti: ::'l·C:!~i. trocps £l::1d :5.nterncc"! ~ost Frc!)c~ c-fficials ::.ne: ci "~'ili<'..::~. !2-1?C'ror ~!l0 D.~I "ME retf~in~d in pc;·:·:::- t.!".c! pr~~is0:l i::d~!)lJn~o~c:c. ~.1lcn J'll':1!l surrc!l~crcd" Jo.l'!.!1.CSC offici:.1s i:-l !!loochir:c. p.::rI.1i~tc.j con.+~!"ol to be scizod 1:: Anr..a:!1·3:e Jl:.tjo!:~.lis""':...~. 2:l?i3:'or Bu.o f;~'.i :ll:dicn~~!=l on J .. Ui;ltst 25, lS45~ t:.nd Eo Chi r.:E!::, n p~~o:d~cnt Ccni!"ft(~r:! lcadc!~,- proclni:::'Qd the Vietnc.i.l

. Re;public on S(:?"''';0r.:.b~r 2. tho !h~ith;h, "?.'"h~ :-:1ov.::t! h:to th~ soUt1":'OT!l

robio:;. to disr:.r~. Jr.pc.~r,r,c trot-:>s, r(;.ru~~d ~o -rcco(;~dzo t;'~e n'J .... republic c.ne pror.1:rt1y i.;ur:-~od ovcr t:-~.:3 !...C!=ri!lis~';!"i!.tio!1·to th~ }o~Tanch.

Thoro ·.;[.:.S SO:.l·~ fightinG i:1 Sn.i~on c.r..d. cC!1ti:-Jucd &ucrrilla • .... o.rfllrc throu[;hou.i..;. Cochir..chinr ...

In thil north the Chi!lOE~ CCcup!l.'t.ion forces recognizee Hot s r;o";ar~::::.c::-.t :1:1.1 sU::'il0r-:'od pr:>-Chiu.:;sc clc:;:.~nts in 'tr..e dO!:'.in!.l!t Viet !.Un)l p;l.rty cC:l.litio::.'· After p:'olongod !lc{;oi,;ic.ticr:ls !lnc considcro.ble concessions on the p~rt or t~c Fr~nch (Sh~~~hai. YU~-'Ln P~ilrond. ct cctora) t}~c Chi nose D.&recc! to \·;.ithdra-;f. On !~rch 6, 19~6. just bofoTO tho Chin'3so ·.7ith·iru·;:nl, 0. rai'resc:-..tc.ti"~ of tho Frenoh i!iSh Cor.:':2issio:lcr si{;!lod a. b:-icf p:-c/;;ocol \'lith Eo Chi ninh. recos:ci:o&ing tho Vie·i:;n~::n. f'.S n freo ccun't:,-y 7/ithin. tho French. Unio;, n!!~~ th-a !ndochL"'1cS9 Fo,1~:,·c.tic·:1

'i:ith it~ c· .... !). v.:rnr,. fi!:Clnccs, an::! &ov~rn:::.C'~t. 'iho :rtatus of Cochin­chi::.n -1'.".lS to be det.cITlinoi; by. c. plebiscite. Do"tn.-ils·wcrc to be· ... ·tor;:~u out ~t c subs equant conference.

Aftor unsl1cc~ss!\;.l nc-£oti~tions nt Dnlo.t, Eo c.nd n lnrgo celogrl­tion c:.r:-.c to Froncc c.:1rly in J'_Inc. Tho so-c~llcd Fontc.ineblc:l.t1 Con­rcrcr:e~ l:-.. fitc<;.\ fro::l ~Tl!ly 5 to ScptClr!k-"r 11. It broke do,:m over tho issu.c:s of tho unity of Cochincnin~ ,·:ith the rest cf .. t:.n"":l!l!:l, r.Iilit~ry rclr.tior.s, end Victl'"!.:lm C~!i:!lnC5 _for Q scpo.ro:tc eiplo~tic service o.nd control of custo~s, fir.~ncc ~nd econoriic ~ttcrs. Just before leaving Fl·ane·::, 50 sif;ned c. r.t';)dus ViVu:'ldi \·lith l:inistcr of'- Ovcrscr.s Franca MOUTEI' .. ·:?lich provic1~od for s"topp:'nz. guerrill.a. riJ;~l~L"'b in southern Indochin::., rC!o:iC\.so of prisoners t_nd host.."l.&es. and ror t.he roou!:lption or .. r~cg~'~iutions in Ja.r.u:lry 19~1.

Yihon

1. It s:;o'.:2r~ !::c r-::cullcd .. ..;h-::.t th·, Fo:,,7;r:.:l.uc::'lo!lu Con!'orimec -too~ pl::-.co d'.u·\z;; the period of th"3 s·;c,=~c. C"'ns!;'it(IC~i..t. _~!::;c:::;.bly- in , .. :hich c~lc::"!:"~l policy ':;:-.$ n cri..~ci':!l ~!?d bitt:-!·· i:;~':..o. 7:1~-:S "';ho Fi-onc!). r.cgo':.;i~:tors

-;i-:-ro h:.~::~r\.l:-!f.. by ):: .. c~: o~ i:-!!:-·.:!-,::C.gc c!" ':;!.!It t::3 no';: ct;;"J.:;titutic!l -::cuI':' C ':) r~ b,:->~~ t "'.;":.-.'J rrc::ch t!!:i .:!"., ·::!~i l"'J . "tr:.c Vi..:-t.:~n do lCE.:1.-::i en ~·.~S :,ot!i G.oub-:­ful of' '/' .. ::::' m;t}>(".rit:r c~ th'.l ::-o:.::nc:"!. C!olcr.~tic:1 r~:::>i (;~.c'J,,"i.!' .. \~~d to be i:l.tr::..~:-;i[.::!"'~;; b~: ... -iolcr..t. sp·:·.,c;:.·:s in thl3 Assc:;,oly by colo:15nl end CO:-1-!:",,;.nist. ~c?'.r~1r::~. T:-:''l C':l:-,f.::r:c::-:co") -.-.:~s t!-~u:: l--or.:::doc:;,,,d to f'll.il1.1ra-. -----

v .... ...", .... t

\;'hcn ~!O r('tu:r.~~~ to ;:n.=-:~i. i:: OCt.;")~~~lr, h,:, fou:::i ·;:),t!"..Jni5ts in his goY(:r!"' ... :,c.~t, lcc b:.~ COi'i"1"':1i~t :·Ii:Y~r.~;o;-r of ';;'o.r (;I:~?J hJ.d i::c:'cf:sc~l

th~::ir- i!!!'luc!!c," c.:.:':"i::s ::~s r..0:'I"1~! ri·,c.:! ;.~~:"!.~;ii.s; :tbsc:nc:3. Tho !:-.,;~.::;~~::"':;!; for s~o??inb t::c i'lC:."::;::lg i!l C·jcf.ip(":r.ir~~ \':CTt:: n..:\'cr ir:,?lc:::-'::;:,~(;cl 0.:'::' r~lc.tio!1s '::it!1 th.:= ?r.:-::ch C!-::'~!":'o:",;,:~c-:l T3.pidl:,'. 1~ c~isputc o~:cr =t:~~ t~:1S c~~tr"l in :!o.i?r.~::..,lo 1::-:. :~ov:::~.:.:Jr rc:::\~~t{'d i:l locnliz'Jo:! :'ir,h-;;'ing, end on !)~c·J:-."::.)r 19, IS'l';; Co c~z:~!"1.t11y p~"o!,~r·::C: sUT!lri5c :\.I.;..!;::.(;~: t.l:::':)st succ.J.,c:~d. i=: o":'Cl'::·u:'l~int: Frcn-::~ :"orcos i:).1 'fc:"J:i!1 0.:11 .i.l:"''"1:\rri.

Fi~hti!:g r.::.s b~':!l cO:l't·i~·':C·';'5 si!!co ti1(';!:~' .~!'t.or no f,Y;r w·:-e~s of roni w::'::-,:,"!"::-.: i:! ::!l!loi :'l!:C. ·d('::init~· i"!.. ~~·~o::rio::,,:::.tcd i!1to bit-tor LTI!.!

. costly gu~!"rill~ op;;;r':l:tic:1s. ~'::l~h hr.::~.t Ij:f:"ic,-,lt:~l Pr~nc:; cO!'lccntl·~t~d nbou-; IJO/O~i) trocp~ i~'l Inc.ochiIH·, c.:';:'(:!! chi·J:i:"i.y ... ·,itt 3!'i"tisn r,:;.d !~moric~:1 h,::-~d l~t:.rv cquipr.~":.n;;'" :hi~ fc:-c~·, ·;,·h:.i 1"3 suf:"icic:::t to b~r­r'iso~ the c!i.i~r cities :.::d :::::.i~~""c..in ?r0~::.ric.·uo; C::>:7"_":ii.:.:1ic:....I.:;io1.15 b:-t·.7~cn thC:1, ·,':t1.S :lot l=:l.!"{;c t;:"lo1.!;h to p:!.cii',Y ".:;;1C CO'l!!~ry.. Ci'.:-il c'l!.C !ilil!:'.;::try o!"fici!lls i::1 bot!l. F!"=t~~c Zl!ld :Lr:.::!::>zhin"1. h~vo l"'.;r tone tin.o a.ch:-.H;i;!3d that· t;d~ c:.~ot 'be' ""'do:1o ~·iit.h:",:t rr.)~ ~l:.~ i!\c!·~"s(.d forcGs wh:"ch ure not ::.. i."cild.'bl·).

\~11,,:: it boc~!:';o c.:-?':'.rant. '-t~:lJ..; 0. T.lili~!'~; so~ution ... ;~s no't ?ro::.ct·i­ca.blo th-:. ?r~:lch Totur:-1Cc. to th~ ic.:.:~ . Co:': n-::g.r:'.;;i::~io:1s. l~d::-.irtll

d'.!~~GE~;r,!:;:1 ',',":':5 !"c?!~ccd -:15 :1i(;;, C~!::-:.ir:~ic:::::.~ by :-1 ... ROlLI~::R.'?, D. rcsis­t:'!lC3 lc~~dJl" c.:1:~' !''''!''::l;J!" c:,ro,:;r ?r~rcc~. P:lrt.:y b:::cmlso of' th·') p:-cj\~­dice or !.!inistcr l!c-ut.o;o:& .... :ho cO:.Gic.crci! the: !".~"-:.":".ck c!' Dcco::lb:;:- 19 ['.s.n p·zrso:i'.:.l ·r...i"i'ro:-:.t t~ 1:i::., !l::d :-.lsc 'b=:cc.usc ~cd' £:'~':;!~g ~,:l"ti-Co!:"::,-J.ni:::::.

in Fra.:1·::':~, t!1-J F:-,,;;:-~c:-. ':.';~!"-J r;Jluc~;'::':i"t to rCS1J::;':J !"'.;·:)goti:..tic!ls ·,·:ith ;:0

C?l.i !·!i!1~~. 1::. the c.b::c:i~O: cf :":1:; o~L·:)!" l,:: .. c;.:tr · .... ~th n r_""tion~l i'cllc· .. ;ir.&, the F!"c!"!ch t'.J:':.c'! t" t~c cx-:'::::.?~ro:" ?:~o D:li ~;ho ':::~s li~d:JG in cxile i!l :lO!'l.i: KC'::Z. P'Jri:-:.g 'tnc 6U::-:-.c·r 0;." 1.S?? .fc·.-c!"'oc. c,!l1 cc::!'usod nr;:,go".;.i~ .. tit;::;,s suc:·.)?c,:,1 ir: colJ;c·b.&;ir.t;..a j,;o~.;2oy G!'C'up oi' p:.rtics, r.;.:r':cn::nts. ~!lU in- '. ci·;jL."4:",.ls ·~.';ill:'rJg to· S;tr-~ort .E'r.o D<li. 'l'hc !l~lclcu3 .... !:J,f, t:-D..ditic;;.~l w"n~~::c:-'is"t,s fro=:. A~l.."'1t:::l c.~d 'i'o:r.~:in •. 1'0 this .:ru; jo!.=.cc. ccrt!lin :-.::tivo C::.tr.clic c-lc:::.c=:.ts 1:1. TC"n~in, . t;'l';: c.~o:!!:'~~st c:.ml H::.·:., [:to T1lligicus s·::,cts in Ccc~inchir:.!l" cert~i!1 c,!:ti-C::,.:;-_:.'..L'":llst n:ltio:::-!.li.sts, rind nrious ot~cr

. . ·tlo.' ~ ....... 0.1· ·.··":::5.· • ;:ur,or &rcu?s • .... 2 •• T.l.l.xoc. ~ ,..:'

By Sopte::b·'f 1941, ~!lC :'!'·:n:c!1 felt prcp:!.ra::1 to oren n eOi:lbincd ciplo::'.:l.tic c.::c. ::.i1i1::0.:-:-, offc!'!:5:'70. Bol1n~rt. y;o.s 'to :-Aka 0.:1 ir.,p'Jrt:l.nt pclic:t .s?,=C'ch o'.,;!lir.ir:~ th~ co::!cit!C'!'l3 :"C'r c. scttic:::·:;nt ... ,";hilt) 0.­li'iut-::':' !'l.ilit'ir~! oi't,=r,~i .;"} in lc::.l:i!:. 7!'c-.:.ld. ~;'::;c~;:o:t :io Chi :'!i!lh ca:.d cnco\:.r::.g~ \!':iVC!'O!'S i;o r::illy to E':lC'l Di.i. Un!,,,:,r';'.J1".:rtol:,-, the toxt of Boll':.,:rtls ,s?cooh b,::::c::.t",,J n p;:,15tic:.; i'cctb:lll in Fr':'~:1c" c.~d c.s de-li· .. ·,Jrce · .. ::1S S~ ':,\nto:-e::: c!':'·;.~ t;;".t it =:-::..::~ c. p:~r !:::p:"'c::o;;ic:l in ::-:..."\~i'7c circlr;s.~ ;?lo c.::.ly :.~.;; 'c:;l:'ic:ss!c:! o-f:"('!r.~:d ~;::.S u:no::. c~ th,.:l t!!r~o

.:~:--.a~:.:.i"tc p:C'·:i::.c.as.

P:l.(1 r,!";i, :l!'t:!r' ct'::.~i1:-r~~:'lc u:'ti:!C; ~·::t ...... !.~.:!1 ::hll:tcrl or~ :to Frc-neil cr:..tis.:!:, i:-. t~·; E:.i:-. c l .. :1c::.,G 011 :::~(!c:-..:oJr G c::d 7, 1!'~7, :l!i.1 si{;::,::::d =.. :;,>:::",:~.:. p::c!;~(;d. ~,'::-dch r ::~vr:;::i =.=.<:1 ~{.c ir~c.cpc:::.;!~~cc c.~:! u:'li t:-i of tho V:'~t:': ..... :'1 '::ith::: "the Fr-:::c!-. tir.ic~,. ?.i'o~;ic.c-1 f-:;,J" t:~~ protcctio::l of' Fr~::c"h ocO'no~ie

110 ·and

n!1d tcch:lici~lls, but. loft to :I..('~tcr l106oti~.t.i":'l5 th~ dct~ilcd s~lutic!'l of diploIr!l.tic, r.d!itC'.l',!1. ocono!il.ic" !"iJl::.n~ial" and tcc!l!1ic!..ll rL\ttc:r:·s. (This nGJ"cc!'::.cr.t "r:ns. cxcop·~ for t .. ." ... o m?-in;?o-r-!::\nt wor('s, CXe"'! ctly th~ s~.mo cos thlJ 0:1,:) sign.::1 on J ... ~no 5, lS1S. by Bolhlcri;;, XU':I.ll, m:d E::>.o DC'.i.) Boll~<(;rt if; u"1dcl"'staod to h!lV"c ":gr-.;cd hc .... :ould !lilt ecr .. l 'with Eo. It ,\'IC' .. S

o.rro.!1c..:d t~l"lt tho.) t ...... o · .... ?uld bcc~ q;ain in r"ob::'~~:1ry to ... ~kc finn.l nrralleO­mcnts for the return 0: P,ao o::\i to' rndocninJ.l.,

P.o~l ... crt returned to F~nce to cX",:>lain his plu!ls to his go\·ern:,lcnt and ob~~'1.i!1 i tF C!?i)rO-;:!l. rno Ihi unexrcct.cdly rcllc~':r..:~ 30l1£',crt .. goinL; to S·::itzcrl(:"l!~~! .. · .. h:J'l'.J ho hc:.d ,,~ :::oc:tj!!~ ",;fith :.~. 3011a.c!'t in Ja.m.l.n.ry. Tho HiGh CC>:--":'li~:;icIlcr rctt:.rncd. to !;!dochin:"l. on .. Ta:!Ulu·y 26 to prep~'\!'e for the r.~COti:l[; i .. :ith E~c D .. 4i schceulod tor Fcl)~u!\I'y. Tho Inttcr. ho\'!~ ..... or, went: to ?r.::.r~cc ~.1lc1 wcs received by ::. nu .... ·i'!b~!' cf high Govcrn.:1.0n.l.; of!icinls. This i:1furintce Eoll::crt, ,';ho thrcn.tci1, .. ~d "': ... 0 rcsiD-' nn0. \'-':''.5 O!11y plrJ-C:ltcd by ~r~ ofi'icial stc.tor;;.ont. that ncgotio..tio:1s :-:ith 50.0 n~i Vlould bo 0;(­clusi vcly ·through· h:'r.l ..

Events fro:n thi5 point on l'l~re· confuse.:!.. Obviously En? D::d hnd rocon!3icc;-·,Jd his r~2uct('.nt ~brcc::-Io!l~ to rctt.rn tc. l..nr.:-.r. Ilnd· felt thn.t Qddit~oMl c:-nocssions ~ml bu,~!",..nt.oos "''iere csscntird if' he Tloro to guin t:h~ support of sufi·icicnt !·b.tio1.t-:.:.list. clements to insure stnbility tor hi:i nc": fo·voJrn:r:.cn~. In cHldition .. his ·stay in Fr:1.nco rAe! openee! his eyes to the u::'lst";.blo posi .. ..:;:io;}. of tho French go ..... "rnne::rt o.rid tho possi- - -­bi 1i ty 'of C:. return to pO""1cr of de GLtiLLZ.

BaD D:.i did n'Jt return to Hong Xons until t.hrch 14, 1948. The rol1o~·dnG ·,':(:.::1::s ",:ore ror.'l.rkca by mach cq::-.inG and going betv:eon So.igon c.nc1 HonG Ko:!~; of F:-c:lch n~ld Victl'..o.:l. rcprcsc:rta.tives. and contiJmnlly ch:.:.nGi~G ru:;~!'s of t!lc st:ltu:; of tho :J.cguti~ti(ms. ilppc.rently do-5p3iring r t' !Jorsu:".din~ B..'\o DOli to returll in the ncc.r futuro .. Bollncrt agroed to set up 0. Provisional Central Vict!'.!l!3 Govorn."'Jon-t ,'!hich 'would

. prcp~rc the ~;my for- the E:rapcrol~. who n::;rced to GivQ hi3 lil,':>rl1.1 bc.cking to the neil Tc£ir..o. " -

The nO";; ,govornnont wns hended by General Xua.n, then President of the C:>chinchincso Govorntsnt. XU'ln ..... :hilc o.n A.."1nc.r.!itc by birth, is t\

general ,i!'l tho French !'..~::ry, Q. F~{:ner. citizen" and ),;:!lrried te n French \';otr'.n. 1!o \ms" of cO",.lrsc" pro:.1 .. ")tly branded ns n Frc~ch puppet (whioh is not b~lio"lDd to bo true). :.cu~n h!~d c;rea.t difficulty in pcrsu~C::5:-lg· PCTSO!!S of !l bil i ty n:1c. i!1i'luoncc to join hi.s gcvor;;r.:cnt, eyen ·,';i th the tr..cking of B:\c Dni" ::m:: the tC~r.1'h'.) CQll':;ctccl ~.1"ls ~·ory l'lc~k, particu­larly tl.S rog=1!'~5 rcpr~sonto:f;i vcs frc!:\ To!!kin.

0::. Juno 5, IP~8 .. Bollacrt oot ,·.i.th XU::'il c.nd. !bo. Dc.i" c.gctin on 0.

c:n .... i~Qr ir. ,+,h,:, Enie d',;'~lo~:;, ~!1d t\ P-':'.'; Q.t:TO-'::'.::t!lnt. .... :=:\5 sit;!1t";G ·,::115.c:' ,·;':\s Cl.lr.:(",~~ cxrJ.~tl:r th~ t:~n'3' r.,::: t~;3 first c~e. 'Ih~ text W:'.S pro:7i;:.,tly l!".D.Je public j,:\., cO:l.",;rac-t t:- tn.::!' !'ir::::t pr.:,t?ccl. 'ih'3 ez· t:::.l11oror left- ro~

S·;:j"!:.2cr::'~T!d the s:.i.,e c. ... .:.j. ·:·!-:.il·.~ 7.;, Bollt .. f";!'"t r·J;':'~\.:.!":'etl .... 0 rr'c\n('·e shortly f.~t.fJr.':c.:.rd::;.. Prosid'f:l''t X ... t~:l r-rccl'li:'.a:1 his n~:.7 bo'\"e::-I~.snt in H'!lnoi. ---- --

The HiGh

171

• V'-'-:..IU_I The HiGh Cown5.ssio:1or c.??~r'J:1.t!y ll.,li~\~d th~t ho -;"c'...lld cbt~.i!l

prot'!.?t rutifi c~tio!: o!" his r) grtsc:.,<:m't; b: .. t~lO ?::'~n~h C~~hino';:; ="!"LC ASS:O:HOly, folloi':i!1& "'lhic~l, Dao Dai ',::oule rlJt1.trn ·~o I:H':~.:::hiT!:\J nnd t.h~ :!c:cotir.ttions for' the su]r>lc:::.ont:..~,: o,(;rct:.::!:)nts could thr,n b"-'f.in. Un.fpr";ur:~tcly, h'J 'returnod tc P~ri& &.t c. p!:.rtdcuh.rly di1"'ric~lt It'..~l:cnt. Thrs Sc!i.u";:'::.l!::'l Govcrm~cnt ":!\S fncc4 -::ith ero·;;:!.ns intF.lr.::":.r:l.l eisson::ion c'!td o!lpoGitic:l within the .!.sf;cmbly_ The Socir.:.l.il'it PfI.ri.;y Confcre;nc.1 h!1.d royo~l(;d n swing to tho lett an::! votec! 0. ro:.olution i'f.--:o!"i:1Z 'necotintic:ls with Ho Chi Min.~. Colonic.li:;t t.!ld consm.":uJ;i ,\"!O STOUpS ,in Ineochin.."l. r.n\l' Fra.nce. bugnn D.Jl. nctive CD.:nP'ligll D.G!l.in~t the B:lic d'Along r;groo;:l:m.f,; as tho first step in t;"ro',.,.ing _o::;!). ... :Cl-:.c c={:ll''-h In .I.;ho oirou::!st::mcof;', tho gO·':C!"1~-:l0:J.t li;lG nn.t;l'~ll::t ,roluctnl1!; to to.!~9 \lP D. pro'ulcn \1hich might v/oll rosult in its_ overtlu·o'~·! by tho !1t'=.so)';:~1:.,r (t1l<1 ',;fhich c.pPc!lrccl losE ure;cnt than ot~(\'r sorio;.:.s int.crn:-.l r:;td il1~.er::1:l.tionr\l pro~le;;-;s'. .After tho Schur.:.')nn C!lbi:tet finally foll, the ShCll'·;;livcd. 1.iJ.rio Ca.binot ;",,1.5

. even less C!l.G0r to f.n.co c.. dcb~\t!:l on Indoc!·dT!!l ..

rfh~n tho lo.:tg schedulec'.' j:nterpol'l.tion on -Indochina. ri.n~ll~~ C~i;~~ up or. "en.G nGcnd~, the Ptia3 l,!inist~r ns1'.:ca thrd; -the u'3b:d;c bc post­poned indefinitely, but indico.tcu ths 'bo"'iOl·n:;:on·~! r. D.IJpro\1·!\~ 0'-: I.! •. IlollO-crt's policy and- tho Br.t.ia d'J",lonG prctocol. and o.nnou'!1ccd th"t ~ .vote in favor' of" Il.djournrJ.Cnt 'would bG. c~!!.r.idcrccl ns o.pprovi!ig this policyo A sU~9~i;:lp.1;inl-JT!Q.jority \'i:lS obto.i!lcd o.!'-t~r n l,rici' d3Cn'''.;o on tho o.djo\.lrn.r.t~:m".; motion \'I11ich i~dic:\tca. G~l)')r.:\l appro;;~\l of: the Bn.io d'"Along pro".:;ocol by nIl pa.rt;ies OXC-:lp"t th-:. ,Co:r.!Ju::-dsts, but considcl· ... Ilblo difforc:1c,,:ls of opi'nion ns to its ill'~O;"p!"'€:t::l,tion CLnd methods of o.r~'-ic:\tion. The SooiuJ.i!!.ts in p~\rtic:u'"a!" · ... ·JorG cri'!."~trrnssed bY."liho pc.r-t.:( d5.roctj va ll'.cntioned nbove.

, 11. Bollncrt rctur:lOd to Indochir.n b:'c!\thinZ opt ini s:n' r~ne. p:-o .... tossing to, 'Jo co;:\plcto.ly sa"~isflcd ~'~ith ',h~ Assc:7'.'JJ.y O: s c.c"c.io::'!. :me.1 convincod ..... ha.t; D!lo D'li ,\7ould return, nnd tha implcr;;onto.tio!l of th.o Ba.i~ "d' .. ~long protocol could proceed iJ:l:;\edio:~cly. This op·;;in,-"\.stic to.ca.do cl'ul!lblcd quiCkly. Bc.o Da.i lost no tilr;o in r.':!king it clec.r· thr.r.t he ;:rns not roturninG until Po forr.:al ncrc~m:.c::--tt het.d b'Jon siGnod Qnd. rr.tifiod b;, tho Fronch Go,-crru;;o:1t. not on~y cO'loring the princi­plos of tho Bz.ie d'lllo!1Z protocols b;Jt the 'rescl""',od subjeets left for ruturt."l nabotin.tion. Pri ,,"ate and public s:t:l.tcn.3ni;s of Xu.o.n [\nd his ministers cm<\ c.rticllls in th'9 nnti7t: press ShO':iC:! that th'3y' \':erc in no YiJJ.y "satisfiod \'lith tho oblique hnn<Ui;g of tho r.:D.tter by tho Fl'imch

. Govcrn.~,:::nt. The locc..l eoloni!l.list pr~ss proclair.:~c1 c. ael"Co.t tor Bollncl"'~ r...:td ':;o;)k p~ins to poi'nt cut th.IJ.t the ... ·iholc situation in Indo;" chir .. '1 vrr..s illogr..l t.nd unccnstitutio::.:..l o.r..c. tho.t .. in p!lrticulc.r, no (;h'ln~o eO\.lld t"ke pl~ec in' th" polj.tic~l st!l~US of Cochinchir~!l ~:ri';;;hcut for .. !!.l ;.s~e::-~~l:r c.etio~_, sir-co Coc:'linchi::1t:o, in con:'rc.s·t; to 'i'or~:-i':l. tl!lcl .Am'lcr.l, is r. !='rcnch colc!lY and :ranch soil •. ~

I1. Dollr:..crt 500:1 llJt it -be knct·,~ th .. ~t- he ·,'jo:.11d not- request 0-

i'urtho:' c::dcr";.sion of his t.or::: fJf offico, ·,::hic!l e:q::':'G-d Sc;;'l;:;,::,')~~ 30. ':i.-he r.:::-.s:r:l gi ·:IJ~'l. '''~='-::i :"i::; r~t·:d tl' !"{;;t'Ltr~ liticf~l fer-c·:::; for thO' CO!:!i~.s OlGo:t!C:l:'j .. ~.ctu~llj", it "::'.!.!; clo!~r th~t for. rf;(.~iO:--~r.

172

to ::·~;,!'!.c~ t·:) r~builc. hi.::; p:.-for ttL<? CC!1~9il d·) l~ Rc?ubli~\lil.

l:::~r~;cl~' ~:;yCl:u! hi:; ccntro~1

his

his plsns for a pr<mq>t solution of the Indochinese problem bad failed and tbat much time and effort still remained to be expended.

The appointment of M. PIGNOl. as successor to M. BoUaert came as a great sUfPrise since his name had not even. been mentioned among the numerous candidates for the position-(The two most talked of were General MAST, former Governor of Tunis, and General CATROUX, a former Governor of Indochina and recently French Ambassador to ~loscow). Pignon i. a career colonial official just over 40 years of age who has spent most of his service in Indochina. In 19118 he had been Commissaire de ls Republique (provincial governor) for CIlmbodia when he was called to Paris for a responsible job in the ll,inistry of Over­seas France. ilis appointment is generally considered as indicating the intention of the CIlbinet to keep closer control over developments ~n Indochina.

The new High Commissioner spent the first weeks after his ap­pointment in Paris , arrived in Saigon on November 21, and returned to

-Paris on December 11-, 1948. His brief stay in Indochina was chiefly occupied in bolstering up the tettering Xusn Government. A more detailed account of his activities since assuming office will be found in the min section of this paper.-·---

GMA/jr

173

Ani€!l'ic;an Cvn,sulct.te Gcn~ral)

Saigon, Indochina, February 12, 1949-

MEl'ORANDUJ.! ON INllOCHII!A FOR 1I'Ei~ DELHI FOREIGI! SERVICE CONFERElICE

SECTION II. UNITED STATES INFORNATIO~1 SERVICE

A. Need for USIS in Indochina

No American news service reaches Indochina. UP service to Indo­china ceased in December 1948 because it could not meet .expenses. AP is negotiating with the Bureau of Press and Information of the French High Commissariat for Indochina, but even if AP succeeds in selling its service to the Bureau, that organization "dll translate, select and edit "hatever AP rraterial it sees fit to pass on to the public through press and radio.

P~ence France Fresse service is distributed in Indochina under the Bureau's supervision. The Bureau naturally concentrates on pre­sentin!! the French point of vi"", and On excluding all n""s which might disturb the population or be inimical to French policy. News of the United .stetes and of the United Nations reaches the public here badl,y truncated or not at all.

Against this background, USIS Saigon should be disseminating the full facts on United States policy. Here is an illustration of this mission. The French in Indochina have adruired the Dutch ''police action" of last December in Indonesia. -The Indochinese press, lacldng adequa.te.ne~Ts sources, at first misinterpreted beyond recognition the United Ststes' attitude toward that action. If the DepartDlent's wire­less l)ulletin were being received here, it "ould have been possible to provide the papers and Radio Saigon promptly .Ti th the full texts of the Departrr",nt's January releases on Indonesia and of I.:r. JESSUP's statements of United States policy. Though delayed, this ".aterial did rcach here by pouch from Bangkok and has been broue;ht to the attention ·of friendly journalists. ·As >Till be explaIned bel,,,,, ef­forts nre being made to begin copying the wireless bulletin in Saigon. The British Consulate G<!neral distributes a small dail,y wireless bulletin mimeographed in English on both sides ·of a single legal size. sheet. .

American and other English language books are not on sale in Indo­china. There has been ·very li ttl!, English taught here. Nevertheless, the public, lTbether Vietnamese, French, or Chinese, is acquiring some English and is eager to learn about the United states and its eulture and achievements. The large, steady attendance at the Reading Room is evidence that USIS' stock of books and publications fills a fteed and at the same time contributes to American prestige

B. Current Activities

Since USIS Saigon first opened a te'l\porary Reading Room on August 26, 1946, there have been periods of inactivity imposed by problems. of space and personnel. The present Readjng Room opened its doors on August 13, 191<7. It has a popular cornel' location on the

main

174

'-".:.1.i:1 b-..:s5.::~ss s";r~i:'t "r r,n!f:('l!'\.. 'j'h:~ c~1"'.l~·s ~':"~ C('~:l~cr-t;~bl'J, ";~.) !ih~;lv~s r.ttr!~ctiye, anr.! thQ, ","'jet!:~.:::nso n:tt~:l'!c~r\n::s ~:·e cf'fici..,!:.!; G:'!c! C:'>~lr';:;·.j"5. ·1·::..-....... t 01- or ~ 0"5 l'~ ... ',.,~" ('us'- , •. "' .... "\ f'o .. ,~) bt'.!.. :"~"r"s'il'" .... " ... ,;0"" ~ ('I , .... O)~ " •. _ ••• Oc· ... ~·. .; .... '.\.~ .. ··t-.. " .. , ............ p' ... '0 •• ;.

c.c~tlisitlcn.!i !:.!"'u !"io·.':~r~C in.. J~!lily nt:tc!li]!.~.'!.::,:.:. 0:": rct..\!ors a.r,d -";iE-i--:'"'!,,,s ··cxc,., .... ·!~ "',"\."'\ (,.,- ...... 1"'" r. ,"':')t') ~,,,,- _ ... r>'''') ".-.' ':c: .: ... , ... ·\..c ........... i .... ",,'" .... "" ... (. ""hon ........ _ .. .... 'v ~'U"~'u"" ,,·,'ft ..... ........ ,: ..... ,.! ,- .. u .. , .:. .... _. .._ ............. ,- .............. _.

3 Azh:.~ics to r L."'!"'C'l1C'!'.n. "i'ht'!TC is nl!lc n. Eritish l~·)~din& Ro~::. in Se..i£;O!l, h':.l'.; 1t r.ui'fcrr. i"rc::l :\ -very in,:.:n~\·t)~i.,!\'t lce::.tio:"! t.:".,1 l:ld:s stnf'f. Atto::d'.:'!co n t the ~ri t:'5h R(I~t!ir.g R"oi.' is only r. S!:,.:."\ 11 rT~ction of t!l'lt c:ljoyod by U!:HS". •

Fro~ ~h~ch 7,' 1943, ,'::-.e::;. lIs. JIJa.:1~(~ s;::r;°;z.s. ::'l public !l.rrnirs C'.ssi:;'.;~\: .. t tw!::p')f:;\:"ily 5_:1 C~l!'.:-~~ of' usrs, Sr~.ibc.!:, ~ .. :::~s n:i!)'U:::hcd tlr:'~ killed, u."':~,;!l tJlC r.IT:'i .... ·~·.l of t~c ?:'c~sc~t. In!'or:;'."I.t::'on Officer en !;o""~;.::'c::" 12 thc:,c · ... "£.:5 r.Q .A:-:'i.·;Tienn !jc:''"i')~lrlcl t'~tl!';.cl;.~d to US1S S~i~on. ]:0''';\::''','):', tho Consul GC:-.(':!"~~l ir.:;t!"uct:Jd u Yic·~ consul, J.!r. D.~llr,s- ~::.

CCC!-:S, to i:ivc such ~ttf.mtion to t}:c c!):lGuet or" ~ uholdirlg epel"),tion" D.t US!S :lS ·;;t;;t.:.ld bo co:-,:;i::~c-::t ·.-:it~ tho' pC'r.rcr=-"!.n~o of his oth~r cutics. 'l'ho pr~~tious ;.:'.aricr..n eli rector of'l7SJS Sc.i&on res!'£!\~d on J~nu!"l~/ 15, 19·~8.. I'hc p!,,-:;Si')~!; director c.l"l'!xo;': 0::0 yc:t!"' l:;.ter, en "lc..."iua.ry lS, 1049.

Th~::.ks to t!1o .;ffoct h·c \";c!"~ of !'.!r. Coers r.:nd of 'the $j,l.."lll f.Jld e.ov.o't,JU ·!iot:::?::K;::C stn.,rr, the t·::c A!:'.~ri('.nn o!'!'ir:(;rs Td::';{ nt t'SIS hflva t!.k3!! ot',H' :-. Goi:--.C cor!c:::r!'!. ,·;t.icr . .:-'!"o",;icot, in ee-di'tion ''''.;", tl.c no~cinG Roo!':'!., .. ·;co:.::ly rilr:l-sli6~';ir'bs i!'!. n l".~ll lc~n..,d b:r th~ P.-arcnu of' Press ['~:!d In!',):-::l" .. 't:or., !\ s~;:;tc~ J'or lc::.di!~g rib~s en·l pt'oj"c't')r3 to sC~1001s t.!!G oTG!";.:liz,,:,.tic:'1S. t!:n dist!":n~~.r'ti~~. of ;.:~cricr..!l ~Jriodic::..15 to Co. CC,!'Q­fully s'Jlo~t",d li::~, t~iC sift ~iSJ';'Tibution of ... '.~:rti!'.)c: stocks of" Pr.P0l"­bour;d Gil bco:t:s ~.!'!~! ).r.,:; t.::y';::Ot.l~~fi, !.:.no! 11 lit'tlc Cl!lturc.l cxc~~ne;c work. ~ho pC:!"'ioeico;.ls ~;_~ 0;;:: l''''.;ir.lc bo~ks &.:"c ~ilcr1 or shi,pcd ~o pOi"SOn5 n:\.:! i1:Zt!t'ltio::t. ~n :-.:.r.;: r::.rt:i o!' !:-::d{\:mi:'.!l. tJ51S ho.s rat.son to bclic·.c th-:..~,; :;o:;,.,,~ 0: "t,i .. is !".:\tur!nl filtors i!!t~ c.rc~3 -c:1dcr "liet

Pl~ns to t.1O:titor nne! di!:tribut.o the wire loss bolll~~i:1 h~..,,""C cone on. fer r. lO:1g tiz:oe ~J:G. r.ro .nO"r': b'Ji~G Fl:;;;cd. nal) p!'~SCT~t s"!;u~.blir..:; blo.ck is 't:ie' l~c:: cf" o!'ficc ~p':lC'l :;'0 :'.cc.j=':'1:;od~t(.t tho ,-.-ircl!Jss {s~uip­r.1e~t !\~G o?err. t.or nnd ~hc c:':'~)l OY003 :l~'l.:i r...".!c~1i=-,'3s !.o tab~ 0-:"1"0 of c!t:?ll~':t.ticT!, cistrib~l'tio:l, enf. c"V~r!t\':'!ll t:-!l.nslo.tio:t of th"3: b\:.11ctin. Crfic'3 5::·:10'3 is cx~ri;::i"ll~; !'c-".,:"e.~ in S~igcn, but tJSIS is lC:lving no stC:'l!l u:'!.tl.lrr..cc in se'l.!'ch of' i~. . .

S!;,!'lll bulk eo;bscri?tio!ls to Tir.-:.~~ l:~· .. :s .. 'r~ok, ~nd l.ife (25~ 27 !).nd 19 ccpi~:: -r·::~?~c~i\·oly) c:-·:; rcc..:,;"iV?d !-lere' i.rn-C-lfic edition.s) t.nd. dis­tri"::tc.t·:-1 by 0.513 t'J ~ "fcl',otcd lis'\; i:lcl'Jdi:1S fri~:mdly j:l~!":'l'llists. Tho lr..rcl:;.;-~tio~ C!"i'icC':' dis-:"r:i.~·.:.tl']s T .. Y:;S it\?;;.".::; t~nc. photos :''::lciJi"'.~..:d -DY ttl!" :."'1'''::\ t:-.c Jj!l~,=,.rt:-.-:::l.'~ !"~::d c::~':~r,';o:'!: t.o pl:lc~ t!'.:::'I. -::h,,:,o the:! ... ·.·i11 be :::.'pr.::-ci:,.t;']d C~:! ?'.lbli!>::cJ. -. '1-.5. ,~;-.s.s pres::. p:"o.,::rc.z::. 1"of15 just boc:l Tcyi'~~vd (l".l.C~: or p~:"$o:-.:F)1 (.~I·S cro .... ts·::d its :::usp~nsiCl!'~L it is too enr1J" t:> :::(:!":.S'.l:'·J its c!'fc:;' .. i·:~r,:.:r.-s. Sov;Jr::.l loe!".l ~!~:>o::-s. ·ii€.t~:~n(;sc~

F!'ullcn n::e .Chir.:o:oC' l.:-.!}t~:';:\C::, ere F!"!t:t!~i..G U3.!S r~ .. t(;ri~l, e'hi~!'l:: p::o~.,:.s :::·d. pl~.z":::c cut:;. :-:~::):i pir:\~c sc':::o :;~1.!I:-ir'~l fron 7ir..'J !~:!j

:;":·;$·,':·.:·~k •

c. P~!"ticulf.~

175

c.

Tho civil \','U.T in lnr!o~hin"::. c.r.d th0' fn-:t thnt S::'.iG')n !'or ~1'!. it:l cho.rm is r., b'JsicGcd city h~.vo Co direct bG'"':. ... i.i:~G on tile c::y to dr..:r cC'ti":itics- of USIS. Ji!':1On:; rro!lcii.T;l!:n in lndochi!lo the belief p.3rsists th..'\t tho -United St~tes ui-;hc3 for cC~!1om.i.c_ ron sons to ::upplnnt Prcr:.ch po ... :cr nn:i ini'luoneo r.ero. Those: fcr.to:-:;; P.o.v,", in the p::.nt 1"0 to -of­ficia.l l"'r·::m.ch protcs~s c:g:tinst or-a or nnoJ;ho:-, a.cti vi '!:y of USIS. r..r..! still c(l~ditio!1. it§" funetit'ci!iI;' 1\:0 ?l~in clotho3 Jr.cn h:lb~tunll:r loi tor no~~ tho cntra.ncc to til:l Rc!",di:r ... ~ Roo?:l. ':~sidc frOI,t the quostion of whether rln~,ronc is o.ctu~lly r.t')lc~tci for !l.tto:lding the }.n:;)ricrt:1 RCE'ldin!; Roo!:1., tho presenoe of t~1(:so (:~t~c+'i'Vcs ;r~:r ca.u.so SO!:lC intcrcstod parsons to st~y o.ml.,.

i'ne SI1o':d.ng o.nd lon~ing of fila:; is c~c\U:lbered ".Tith contro1s o.nd red t:\pa. To b.::: sho\'m t~t nll a film m~).st 11~VO' bc~n grnnted n IIviso.tI by t!":c Burco.u of Press ~r..d l!lfcrll':rtfc!l. !m-yonc \'."lshi!lg to berro','1 filF.:i for sho .... :ings I!'.ust h~·~c thO' s:iwcific nppTOVo.'1 of tho Burc!\1;.. For ins"t:'.:1cc J o.n o-:;ner of rubcoJr plo.nl:;~tion.!! requests 'USIS in ';rritin& to placo his plo.nt~tions O~ the list. for rcgulnr film 10~n5. Ho sto.tcs th:-,t the a·ld.icnco!'; ,-:il:!. consit .. t of Vit)tn~!~'J::;o cr.~~loycesJ· French suporvisors J loc".l gu~rds, and Fr'::mch soldior~~ US-IS "[rites to tho BtU"(lo,U. enclosos !l co=,y or the lctt~T fro::l the rl'l.nt~~tio!1. _ O'.'l!lcr, c.nd -as}~s ~P!l!'o"v!:'l. This .is grnr.tcd p::-o:;'!1t1y. nnd USIS is thon troe to circul!l.to ti1msJ cnch 01"· ... ·:hich must hn.vc boon "Vis:l."Jd': to tho plantations .in question. ..\lthouGh thD prcci!5c c:!'fcc~ co.nnot bo csti­%i.,'1.tc1 J thC50 !'o!'r.liti·cs must r'.ct 0.5 c. brake- on np~11cc.tior:s to borro',; USIS ril~s ..

Tho llir\i'ctor of "'tho B"J.rcau of 21'03S nnd In!'or::1.'ltion ho.s stntcd inforr.':l.11y thiLt np?lic.~tion for· pcrrois·sion to iss·uc th~ ,':ireloss bulletin must bo ~dlJ to him in ~:'riting. He c.d1cd thc.t ho ":ou!d i:rcrlCdi~to1y br.l:lt :lppro"~l. l:cvcrthclcss .. this required procoC:.!TC illust:-i\t..::-s. the. ·c1080 control· exorcised ovor printed tnttcr. Tho· Fronch r,t::,;horii;.ics \7i11 ccrtnin!y protes.t n~ni':-tst nr::d: endeavor· to stop ~ny US IS nctivities to \~'hio:::h thoy t::.1:o C'bjoc"tion. E:xp.."msion of tho probr~\ln b.crc or addi tio:1s to the J'ur.fJricun stell't of USIS :-:lus"" be c:4T!'ied out with circumspocticn in order to £ovoid suspicion and obstruction. .. I

Tho shor~.go of orrico sp~co is neco~~niad by n sc~rcity of livi~E cceo:n..~oda.tj.or.s. Tho unsol"'0d c.nd l:c.r~s~j.n.s housing f>l'oblcms of:. t~.J t-.'lO Ar::oricn:l couple;; arc cvidc~e.:J t.r..l+' SO:'lO time r.~ust cl~psc bofer.::: ';J't';n ~ :thirJ. .&\~:;ri(,!!.:1 is ~!Jsigncd. to 1'51S Snigo:l •. On t:.o othor h~!1dJ ~clditio!"~l loca.l pors:'nI!3l \"l~.ll 1.0 C"~ployod ns soon cs nc!ditio:~nl orrico sp~~cc is obtninod.. This prospccti,·,to inc!"'o:l.sc in 10c·c.1 st"f'f will;.. in ne.(!ition to p:,ocuoi:1{; ~:ho i;;j.rcloss ·bulletin J

en:~ble t-:S~r. to v~p..'"\:;.d tho diz"tt'ib~\tion or photo cxhi"bits c.nd to set up c. lcnclin& libra.ry of' recorded :r::'lsic.

Tho pref:cr.t Fo~~ibiliti<r,s of cxc~':lngo· of parsons ... ·:~rkjn& h'::l'i) tIre scv0!"cly 1 i::d ted. J\ re·· .. ; stt.;.r:.cnts h.::l~c applied. toi<.~~~ l~··rsh-.ir~·s .at l~r.:J!"ir,':in U-;,i"70rsitics. r'.!'.:! D"SIS h~~s f("lr\"l~ruc;d "th:dr c.,?lf'c~tions. . Ccrt!lir. c.d·;·Jr:sv r~ctor3 exist inc.cpcnacntly o£ the civil "-'~·r ~nrl of

176 tho'i"'?ossJbility

tho i::1pcssibility of c~tr.dni.'"'tb dolln:" (n::n~1'\~cq~ Very fwt Vie!;n~~:~IJ:;c nrc su!'rici(~ntly ,,·;c:l.lthy un·lul" ::my c5,rc'.~;:~~':;':'":lr,(':s to ::;r:nd thlJir cjlil~ren h!lir .... !f.!.y ~~l'01.ir. . ..! t!w ,,,":»41d t:: (':ollcCe:. 1'j)0 i!:iil-1f)~~n't.."'l.t5Qn of 1;:,s F':.11-brisht,ncre!:'rrtont ,·;ith Fr::-.r.clJ is b:':;!lG, \/ork~1 Ol.t in P!'t!"is. ;-1; scorns

. pro'.Ylblc ti~~ .. t thif; i~~~5n.:-nt:-.tio:i. ";,~·il1 pl~c~ jndcchi!!~!i0 n~plico.n~s in direct COr.i~3ti tio:1 'wi ~h tho::;c in' Fr:l!1cc. In th~t c~:;c +.h.c:ra is not l1.ko)y to be nny politicCl.l c.i$cri~ir..:\tjl)n ~&c.inst Vi(;tn~H;1~sG or other Indcc!linl."lcc :'..pplic:lrts. 'l'h")y ... ·,ill, hO"'j~vor, constitute bat !l srr~" .. ll fl"'l.ction of' thos~ Q.p~l:.dnb in ?rcl'!.ch territory o.nd will ro.rcl:v~ possoss r.l.ccv:r:.pli$:-:..,!!'J:".'~s I'l0r:rJ'ttir-.C tht"!:-:'\. to ~oot tho co;:-,?otition.' or shll'::·.]:rts fro:;'! Frr:.nc..:: itsolt. It '::ill b-J rccn!lcd ttnt the Fulbright pro(;rc.:n is dosigned for Gr:\du~ .. tc studc~ts·.

rr;fi'oi' is under morc intense sieGO ta~~!\ S~igon, nr:.d ·rJ'~s cxp-cricncod I:iOr\1 dcstn.:.ctio!l... l~ v.::ry !l:.C'ccst USI;':; pros:r~n, Ij,!nltcd prirr'.r.rily to wr..gnzir.os o.nd SO:;'O til::! distrj,buticn, is r...bout to be l~unchCd ty tho Co!"'~su1:1.t.c thCTt3. Tho possibD,ity of exp:l:1dine this pr0E:r~n ,·:111 'be subject to pl.."':rioeJ.c rovit:..:'.'1. Prcs,:mt. pl:lTls C'~rc for tnc' CO:l3ul c.~d Vico Consul to dc··.oto sor.:o of their tina to lYSIS o..cti~\"ities, c.ssistcd by C:lO or t\~·o Victn .... ~r.csa eI~plC"ycd nt, USIS expense. The ?ossibility of opo:1inr; :'. 5~~11 rGo.d5.n~ room nt Ph~or.!. PC-:lh, the c~piml or Cqmbodin, is bei!!,:;" cor~sidorGd. . . ,

Dcspitv the ~cecl~r~tce tcm~o of cvcnt5 in Chin~, !nd~~osi~, J.:nln:l:'., nnrl Burr:.:'l., 'the situ~t.io; i:1 tho F:-cnch":~':,Jld' nrcns or !rldc­chin~ h":'.:3 coon re I:'::.".; i voly st~tic for SCEO time prlst. 7hi,~ rc?or-t h!\5 bo."r. \':ri ttcn :in tho liGht of this st~tic situ~t.ion. Current French !'!c~otintic:1s 4;:i"th cx-~oror B:a.o ihi of ;,,::.!'brr. "i.'!ly lc!\d to his' c!lrly ;r~turn to. Victr..:l::l -.-;ith c. trend tc,':o.rd iU:Jre pC:l.c;cful ccn­dition.:i 'in l!1dochir.':l which ":o\'lld :;.>or::J.i't. eX:::"'!\:1c,or1 USIS nctivities .. Tho :>i::(;lo i'!\ctor of' i!lI,?ro't"cd tr~!'!sportn.t~v!l i":\~ilitio!3 \7ould be !In ir:cr:cnGo tl.d ... ~n"'';!~t;o. If. ho .. ";cvcr, eo!!1itio!1S ~CC9r:1Q !rf.lT\) , unscttlC3d .. USIS wD,l tiOO:1 bo c.dvorse!y nff.::ctod.

J.,..... H:;l. ~ .• ::\::i~':r

A;-1.:.ri Cn.:l E!:",~(,ss,:;

'E~l'1Gkok

S:'C';IC:; '~:J L :~i~l!'7';'_P:: S?:'i'1.7::.·fI\.'~: I!·; IPD:CI:ln::. -----.------ -.-~--.

'I:!C -:.'').1" 1:1 1r...:.~c;1i:"l.:).: ~O':: i:"1 it!'; tr.5,rc. yC"r'.r, -h~s cor.tinu~d ite i:1d~ci~ivc c::n .. trse c!;ri:-:s the :'ll . .::.l" si ..... 1:1:>"1 ..... h<::. ';'1',:1. \.'3u!4.1 f::.ll o.r.d ,,;,,;into:" c'l:J?'.:df;!'.:s, ::01'0 li:;:it~-3 in CCC}'03 tr.~.:l 1;~5t yc-::..r, rCE'ult~c in the rcocc:..:~)~,:l .. ion ot: !'"."o!:.!.:i:,.:!~cl tr;", -:it. r.~::r.: 't,iv-:: ·.is ... ~'ll -cr(::-t.'..n~(: or" stoc~:!; o!' urr.:.s

. and ,cx?!osi-:::-s, -:;1ttout !.'!~y ::i~;;i&h'c I'Jf.'J1ta ~r.c tr ..... ism thc.t ~thc.r·J is no r.Jl::t:u:i ~olutionn i'C'T !:l.jc·r:h:i.~1:" 1::;- ::,:?,r,J p.3:"'tirlc~J~ n"..:j thll:l o'7i;r, with. 1(:'0,000 ';;"rvnc:: troop3, over S~J~ ;n-:-",oc~i.inc~c, Sen,)&~.lc:;c, _Foroi£.:l legion or ott.or mercen!l.Ties" h~j·ci.l:· :;:I'rc thf"'.!, ...... df~·~U':\tt: -to hold t'hc pr~Jscn"t ':er:! lhdtcd !U' ... ~":!';j :'f :::crr~rol~ ~_,~ .I:;hio -E-!;c.lc:-,;;;.:.tc, It\fbo ~c~ ... le Chinese Gc:-;:"!u...~ist intcT"t"cntion or the ·c:-:';:"lpl!:to l'l:C:lkdc;',';"!! of" pr-:-:HJ!'lt politi'c" .. l ::--.c;;ot!c.i,;,ior.f: 'lc~:!i~r; to scli·-bo· .... (;r:l..-:t~:l-'.; '::oalc. i::;\vc Q scri~us, if not ci:;!'!,strous,. ci'!"-')-c',;; o~ the !>rcs::,~t. French r..iJitflry ?ositio!:..

Since c~rly i~ !94~ n =uc~o:sion of French gcncrcls (incl~ding Ln C"rc ...... ~ ~r""l"·· ..... ·0 0" .. \0, ....... ·olC oL ) ,., .... ~, .... ';"·'·O~ ~·r."l·'·.n" ... ",,' n~·

'J .... .... •• -.... "_ ... ~,J,..... ~ ........ ~ _ ..... '.~'~" ~ ....... . .• ~'- '" pacii':tin& !::.dochil!~. ..; hiz,h :>ci!'lt jn t.J-.. c s~rics of C:lr.;~'J.jt;ns '.'i!\S

foc-chee in :j"cv'-':r,~e!"' 19-47, • .. :ith ~ succc3stul i"!l.ll c.::.r.po.ign in Ton:dn th~t c·.m.lt c. s~'~-orO- ::.nd l.:nc:o:.p:!ct-:.:! blo;-I to t!i.;7.t Viet :·Unh. The Frc:lch. · ..... ero ur..ablc. "to ecr.soliclntoJ t:-~cir r.:c\':,.':lt~Gc, hC~;'·)\~or, find, b:t ~ccnb~r 1947 ";'.:er·:: bci~!; c-o:;.ntcr .. ~"tt.~ck.,d. ell alonG tho lin::l, fino,lly beinc forcoe. to ~·:i~hd!"c.::l '"w"'irt'..;.nlly J\iO thoir orif;in'll -positions.

In spi to of subs'3~~ont roic!; or cp:~,bi:lcd opernti'o!:,s. into Viet ¥!ir.h hold t~rrito1"Y. the initi-;.tivo h~s rc:;~incd 'w·ith tho Eo GO'VGr~­r...ont, t=-[;ot::'~r with cont!'!)l of ::\o~t. ~r tho countT'J.

'I~I) P!l.st fe'.': :a.o:l~hs hr.\,'7J s.:.cn. 1:-;:0 opar~tions i:1 !onkin. The . first, uC?or'lti~r.. C!:.c.i:lo~. w~s dosl£::1.cd to cui; _orr tho :i"'~\!!ltni...,ous '!nor'.;;h-Jt'n-'rec!:'Ju()"t:t1 fro;n tho r.ic!1 rica pro1uci~e c.olt!).. It in'Y":.lvod Co.

fivo bct-:.~licn, co .... "Oi!"'Jd. p:tr:ttr~o?;t l~nd IIJ.n~· rivc-r cpor=.·tior!. 't~ soize Scn 7c.y, 'll:'r.:t::-i- ~.nd th..:: lir~o SeT. :L'c,!-"'" r.3.~oi. ~:o ros!.s~:-.n.co ",',-='E ~.e"!; in th~' ir~iti!l.l st~C.7=S end r.t'_ Viet ~torts ",;.'(:1'c founr!.. i~':'.r.:~ssi!1b 'eo'J:'!t:cr" C'~";t~c~s ~1!)r.:5. t":ll ??ricctcr o~ f;r.is 2~ :ni,10 s!:~lio!\t :,!:.kc it r.lrency ~p?~~r dc~bttul if i~ ~~ b~ ~cle durlr.~ tho ~i~y ~o~son.

7~o scco:-.d lonkin oj)!:rrttir.::: b~Z'o.~ c.:i 8 D,:;e~,=-"'cr C:lc. hod the line ·H~.!':\ Di:::" - ?h.c. 'L:,.· - P",:'\d:':r:l; ~s i~s obj~cti~.~, tCC,J·thor "·:!.~h n "cIne.:'!. C!J" ct t:.c: st:·~r;.G'J~t c:n~t~J:- or 'rosis';-o.!!~~ cru! c.r:::-Is sur-ply. in. tho Dolt". nu-_tro,,?~, ~:1!'t.ri.try. end i.:rtrin·:-s ,,·/'Oro usee, ha~~"7 rosistnnco :::ct; end

118 considcr~blc

CO!!~:it!0:-~'":.1}(! stod:::; o!'" n' .. u:itio:1:". ~~!~C !:;'.1~':;li0S '-:crc Gci7.:'::~. Si:!c·;; tl:J-: l!!".n Dir:.11 - ?hu JJy - ~i:-t!c.~g li!lC is c:lt:i.rcly ~ill rc; . .w~cu. by Viet ;;i::11 hold nrc::. nn-] h~.d to be su~'':!licci hV!'oir or ri'/cr-~o:d~", Fr0!!ch -;:it!l';:lrc','r 11'0;';1 tho ·[~ro!'. '·,h~n ohjecti"';~s hnd bCi3n rc~chc;l. opor~tiv~ on;iir..i; 21 Janu-:-_ry.

Ccntr~.l c.nc Sou~h iu.:-:.~n

This rt,)!~tivcly ";rD.::.qu~l 5CC-tO:- or:.tp.l.;~~ on 16 Jnn:llt:.ry 1949 ",'lith 0-

. 1nrbc ::;c:ll<j Viet Hinh ~ltt~c::< 0:1 t~l'~ '!'ounm:; - Huu r~ilro~d r'::3ulti~t: in C:ostr!Jctioll of the trcd::1. ('.n1 c::lFturc of the r.!!ln'J.g~r" of tho rc..ilro,"d. Previously or .. ly r~utinc Fro:1c!l. clo!':.:l.-up p1')cr::rtions h:,.vc bc·,n ::lotod durir.g th~ p~st six :r.or.ths il~ the l~!\rro·:i.· hundred.-r.tilc-lo:lg co~st~l strip hole b~" rrc:1,:h !"orccs ~!l c\J!1trc.l l~nn~,m. .As in South An~::.mJ nn to.ttC':1U~tce C!':.~i:-4 o!' 5;:".:111 fort:; c.r;,d ~lo-;!<.hous~sJ I:i!ln:l'3:l by socond-line troops, is S'.lojcct to intermittont c.n.-l ,,-d::nii.;tod.lY ncrvo-':ir~c1:ing c.ttc.cks. 'l'~is a.t" . .ritiC'Il J !?l~s nisc.rl"l.blc living c,l!d so.nit!\ry con-:iticns h:'.s reduced T.l.~r=.lo nnd i."litir.ti"lO in both Central r.r~ 30u.l~h J.!".&.!!~n t:!-..r,rply.

Coehinchinc.

Th.roo fc.irly Coble ~e:lQr~lsJ 1.3 CLE:-W, nYo, o.nd PA>;{ur DZ Ll, TOUR DU 1.i.oUL1?!, h~\'c tricd thoir·t.c.r:.(~ at pucifying C{'Iohinchi~", but in al­most thr~c yv::.rs th·..; situ!;.ticr. !-.:l.S rc!?.!'.inQc.l virlu!'.ll:r u:1.ch<;.r.g'3d. T!1c Frcne!"! hold :!.ll tho 1c.rbu to·.1."!lS am! n ·srn::.ll· !lc~'mrk of rands radiating tro!.l. S~.ibC:t to th·) no:-th, west o.n1 nor.:.t:-l."lCSJ~ qui..l..,;o fir~l:r, nlthough c.tt~cks c·,~on withi:::. tnis linit)c !"rnr::'O';ior;': c.re fri::quon't end sor:.ctimos. scw.:r.::. lIuycnd it, in spit·J of tl"':5si'Vo S .... :~~p5 C'~nu "'ncirclc:r:cnts, p~ro.­troop and r.~phibious· cpcrntic:1s, t~o cou!'l.tr;,·sir!o ro;r.ins in Viot 1\1i!ili cO:'l.trcL T!1c "?l~ir.<:! cos Jo::cs ll nr~!i. ... ·;.:::::t r.nd soutn of SC.igoll o'!:d. the whole l'ich~ ricc-brc .... lir~b C:t. l:.u p(min::tulf'~ rl:!"'..l.'1.i!l pr~r'.;;icul~rly stronG center:::; of ·,ric.t Tcsistc.:lco. Tho Intcst rcpor-;'Gc1 li'roJnch plfJ.n rer tho Co. !.:.c-.u .p·)!1in~ul!". is to permit no rice t6 be: .exported fro!i1 it, in spite or world rico short.."l.t:c's, so solidly is l.ts coono:ay controlled by tho Viet l.!iroh.

C!li.1bodic. end L.."I.05

These It.rgc, spD.rse·!y-il"!.h~.bit.cd, deficit nrco.s use up largo' nun­bors of" French c..nd Ineochin":ls'l g:lrr~son troops to protect to;'ms o.nd cO;;",!:':'.lr..ic!:.tic.!1s fro71 nll' insigr..ific~nt "!nclcp~necnco mO":Gne:nt whice dra.ws most of it·s 5 trer.6th fro.71 Si"-:::1 nnG the Viet. :.iir.h. Inportn~t opo!"c.tions on th.a pc.rt of eit!1cr nd'Tcrs'!ry :lTO w::ry rc.r·c, nlthough 10.r(;0 sC!lle Froc L!\os opcrn:tions nra rcn.orlcd· pl::,p.!lod for l~tc Fobru~ry.

.• )<.., .

Troops

Current csti~to5 givo n tc'tnl of 100,000 Fl'c!"!ch troops for ali of Ind.ochin..... Of th'J50, nlrr.ost .50;:; nrc coliovod to bo lndochino3o ll'lti vos, unlc .... ?rc~c~l officc'rs ",nd non-Co:;;.l. Tot.."'l.l \'ihi to Frar..ch troops. incl1):-:i!lE; c~cros; t"'.!"C nc·"; 'o(:licv~d to oxc';:-IJC 2~ of the tot:tl or nbcut 20,0)0. 12,COO For.::icn !...'3gicn ~ln:J. n mixture ot Scn~G!".lc£c, :·t?rroc=:':ls, J .. ltc!"ir.ns, '!'u~isi:"!.n~, 'tOf;c";:;!-.C!r -;;i th c roY'-;. PC!lGichC'!'"y Ir..di::ms, ;. ..... ~~.o;:o t:.p th·') 1. ~l=-.. ncr.:~ 1. rc.:;i::-:-::nt of Frv:1ch :':'\rinss elso sorvo 0.:: inf"C4ntr.:f co:::b!:.t troops .... :ith t:I'::: F:u!!c:t. t;:r~und forces.

179

Native anti-Viet I,:Jnh r.;::f·:·C'I~:ents .such :":'f.~ C~~o D~~i, H-:;a Y'~o, J'il,!'Lis~_4H~, etc. have been virtu~lJ~r l;-.!.~ittcn off ~lS on t.sr.:::.'t, f~n::l in the cnsc cf' ths l::<tter t'I:O groups b::<vc bee 0)"" an [ldIT,i tted li"uili toy.

Morale and uisciJ)lir~(~ in alJ con,lKlt units visitcc1 during T'tl~t mOl1ths Sh01{cd a sharp dec] ine oyer tlJe past ~rear, :ral'ticuJuY'J.y aJ:long paratroop units. ../idespi'Gad atrocities have been reported by hnerican and British sources in the riol'tb; health and sanitary eondit.iOns in the field "ere observed to be very bad; &lld there is a widespread lack of confidence in both the French government at bOll'e and French general­ship in Indochina among officers and superior r!on-coms. Feeling tbe general hopelessness of the military situation, many of the albest young officers are seeking staff rather th&n combat duty, and only the most recently arrived French troops 8ho.·1 much COI"bat enthusiasm or smartness of discipline. In this connection, Viet I'linh propaganda makes much of all alleged recent proclamation by Andre ~JI.nIE, Frcnch Minister of Justice, offering French convi.cts a chance to "redeem" themselves by joining the Colonial Arrcry to fight in Indochina.

The pay of officers and superior non-co,,:5, hm·rever, is good to excellent, . particularly in comparison ,dth metropolitan l"rc,nce; pro­fessional advancement and decorations frequent; and these factors have inhibited ,·ridespread resignations or desertions.

Gcneralship

The .present two-top generals in J:ndochina (BLAIZOT and ALLES1)}1DRI) are thought by French officers to be decidedly second rate, although served by a first rate General Staff. Area cmmands (KOCH in TOlL1;:in, LE BRIS· in Annam, DE LA TOUR in Cochinchina) are).i t~) e more than autonOf(,OUS sector comrnands. All large scale plans' and decisions are made in Saigon by Allesandri and staff, ,·li th some interference by' the JIigh Co]rlT".issariat, particularly. on the political implications of milit~..rr moyes.

The Navy

·Wii<h a single carrier, a crUiser, a dozen colonial sloops, three LST' s, 16 minesHeeps, and a variety ofslr1l1l landing craft at its dispostion, the I~aval Command in Indochj na is a minor military factor. Its functions are: river and coastal patrol (anti-arms and rice snrug­gling); transport and support of troops ~n ar.phibious operations, and protection of river' convoys. A regiment of lcarines (Fusiliers -I·larins) ~lhne officered by: the.Navy is underArrcry operational commahd. They are recognized as the best combat infantry in Indochina at present.

The Air Force

Some 36 out-dated GerrrJin Junker transports (JU52 , s) used for para­troop operations, are the backbone of the French Air Force in·Indochina. Additional planes are old Spitfires ande-47's, plus light observation

. and personnel planes such as Piper Cubs. Besides transport of para­troops, the mission of the Air Force is the bor;bing and strafing of villages not in French control, support of ground troops and personnel transport.

As in

180

As in the Navy , promotions and decorations are slow, and morale and mai'ntenance have both fallen off sharply in the past months. Pilots particularly resent lack of ground facilities, and various safety devices vlhich those trained in the U.S. (over 50%) there learned to regard as indispensables.

The Viet Minh

Opposed to the French forces are about 75,000 Vietnamese troops of various political complexions, largely under. Corrmunist dominated leader­ship. There is considerable French-furnished evidence of Communist political commissars and indoctrination extending dOW"ll to company strength levels. It is certain that the disciplined COJlllllUnist element has been the largest factor in maintaining the vigor and cohesiveness of ·the resistance. In this, they have been greatly helped by French indecision and bad faith, and the terrorism of French troops.

In spite of arms captures and occasional defections, there is no sign of large scale weakening of Vietnamese resistance abilities or morale. The large areas under Vietnamese control lack luxuries and medicines, but are wholly self-sufficient in the basic necessities and tolerably well r1ministered, according to what few reports are available. They co;tinue to form a source of supplies and of fresh troops that are only limited in number~ by the arms available.

Although there are rumors of "-a chinese Communist treaty with Ho Chi Minh, and of a Chinese Communist general and his staff in Northern T.onkin, there is little evidence, as yet, that the Chinese are of any considerable help in the resistance. French sources feel that there is little danger 01" a Chinese Communisi 5th culwuu In Cocldih.:h:iiLa, cr of an invitation on the part of Ho Chi Minh to the troops of the age­old national enemy to enter Indochina in force, in spite of the Com­munist link. All French military sources consulted, ho,·rever, feel that a large scale Chinese Communist invasion would make most, if not all, of Tonkin, militarily untenable.

For many months past, observers feel that the resistance has not put forth its maximum effort, perhaps because the leaders are vraiting for the outcome of political negotiations going on betvleen the High Connnissariat, the French Government and the Xuan-Bao Dai elements. If these should break down, the resistance will be greatly strengthened by the adhesion of many now neutral or prO-French elements. If the negotiations are successful, the resistance army is sure to be a dominant factor in any form of Vietnamese self-government.

Comment

Having long since explored, and exhausted, the possibilities of a final military victory in Indochina, there is little incentive for the French military high comrr~nd to plan beyond small scale operations of limited scope, while vraiting for the politicians in Paris and }lao Tze TUNG in China to make the really decisive moves.

WIDl/jr

181

SECTION IV. IHDOC1:JEESE' ECQ?·;Oi.:IC SITUATlm;

A. Gcncrnl agc.in

lndoc~\jn~ h:lG ":'.11 r.rc~ of 28GJO~O tiqu~.ru lilile:s - l~nlf/c.s l~rt:o ~s F'r~~c:c - r..lh.~ :l :?op':.lio.tion of c.bout· 26,000,000. Tho populo.tion l.S· lc.rc:;cl~~ conccnt!'t~t':d in the dc.ltfLs of tho Hoc! (\]":0. ?,!o~~(lng River~ nnd t".

n.."l.rrc.:r str5p !'.long th·; con st. L."lT.5t) po.rte. nf the intorior nrc prC\ct'\~ C:'.l)~l u11.in;·.~~!":itcl;. The cc.onr)~,V of' t.lw country iB pri;;:arily ngri-cuI tur~l r.:;d l~rGcly b~50ti or:. t!w ~ro~;lir~';j ?rocos:::U.!"'.g, !I.nd c),:~ort of ric;'). Rubber O'.ltp:.lt "';':-5 lncrer.sinG r~~pidly bc!'or',J th0 ",.m.r, r-.nd SOD.9

progress 11~d been :-~~4do in dcvolopin£; U'.o· coun1a:,' S :Ji.incrnl r'3S0UTCCS.

RCCOYCl'Y sinco th'J '\':~r h~s beo:l S10""1 bec~u;:;o of the prr-.ctic:.lly c.,ntinuous guorril1o. ,','!\rf!'lro. Even \':ith tho return of por.co it will prob!".bl:,.~ t:'~ko t',10 ycr~rs for ?l'oduc~jo:1 in m~~t fields t? rench prc';:!l!' lov.::;ls, n:1d lo.rGI3 c::~pit.~l in-/cs-tm'::::1ts would be necossnry.

B. Rcsot.:.;-ccs

1. ~I::ricult~r-o--~-

lUce is the n:lin::;to.y of the nntivo diet c.ml by far the nos.t i~j-,ortn.nt CTvp. 'lonl:in ,is 0:11y s·::1!, s\~p?or-tins in c:xcoption!ll yonl's; .A!'l.!1~.!:"I. an::' C~.:;lbodia usually brt.:'lk c\'~-:-n; -,;hilo Cochil1chin~ Chn produce n lnTCc surplus for cXIlort Ilud seldom sur':ors 1". crop i'nilur.:J.· Azri­culturc.l ;;:.ot!:10d:; fIr·::; primitjvc n.nc yic:ds por nere rl.l'O 10"'-;. ether im?ortn.:'lt cro;-! erc cor:1, gro· ... ll chiefly for export" sugar C~\n0, benns,

.cotton, toll~.cco, l'.:1d Yccat:::.blcs. Copra nne OJ.1 r~cc5 t.re of mi~or imp:rrtn.ncc r~s f.'~rO coffoe, tC:1, a.nd ko.pok.

Rubbcr plo.ntinl; bCGr.n lnto in !nddchin" nnd roached its gro"tost dc'.r..:-l.j?nont in l..hv period 1925 ... 19~o1. Present c.crc:lgc is c.bout 134,000 hecto.ros, pcrh!.1ps.20;; of which hn.s boon ::noro or 1053 5.3riously cn:mgcd by 'the guorrilla~. Potontinl production is c5ti~tcd ~t 100,000 tong. but !:"~'\ny plnrlt~~tit)!1s h:l.vo been abo.nnon-:l.a. buc'1.uSO of int.ccu.rity, and the bo.lnncc lac1: 1l1.bor. Proc.ucti:m in 1'343 .. · .. ~ ... s_ Ol":.ly n':!out 45.,.MO to!1$. Rubb":r is nl::!.ost entirely in Fronch h!'".;.:lds nn.-l tho e;rco:'.t bulk in l~rgo plo.nt!~tions - tho 33 lc..rr;ost conta.in GO;; of tho total ncn::ngc •. z·re::.ch plo.ntors h:l.~lC been pro:JpJ~ to c.100·~·c1op ~.ne. adopt I!l-::dor:l m~t.hol!s, t:'.nd ov(;r 4J" of the treos ~ro fron. grafted. and soloctefl seedlings. It is undcr­stool.! ".;n::.t COG~ of proGuction is 10YI compnrcd ·~;ith othor gro· .. ~in.b regions.

In tho "iot!i.n.~J c'"".ttle :lnd huffr.lo nrc r.'list::d chiefly for draft a.r~irr:i.l.ls, o.r:.C thoir num30r S .'1ro -sti 11 b.,:; 10: .... ?r()~~'~l~ totn loS. C:-:.t.lbod ir:. ra.iso:; c. fOoi!' 2:.~;:;-.bcr 0:" buuf t:~,!;t~c. Jio,ss nrc the n',..)r.t imrJortc::.t !'eod a.n5.:.r..l nne iri car:.o.i:1 .r~r.~n::d to p:-ovincos r.ro !i.n il"':!?Or-t::mt Ciourco of: inco~. GOt.to r~ne. shoep nrc of ;,.inor ltr.portr:.nc{.!. I-'ish. for:;as'::tn

182 it:!port!lnt

i!.~portl).r:t p:::.rt of the ::J.t,hro dir:t:- anJ. It.]'~,.: q:.:-.C".!~::;H;':'cs nrc c~~t.ight in tho co~::;t~tl wnters., tb.; riV'J:TS t'.nd p::'rtiot'lurlj" -in the 'i'onl(: S~~:> l~.!-::o in Ct.mbociCJ.. L::-.rt;.o G.'..l~r,.i;it;.c:. of c:.ric,t fi .i~l -:;C-::'J f?:n:.'::rly cXiJcr~cd. \'l1lilo !nJochi:l.~ h!l::i gl'cnt n!' ... i:\:.; of' fOT.:lS·;;' ~.nJ. l"."!.~1~r v~ltnblc ','IO,:)c'St

their o~ploitr.tion i.s di.fficnl;; cm' i;iM:JOr ,lUS r.o· .. or bO':.=.n (~!'l jIr.port~nt

export. 1'h'J cuttinc of _ cO:1structiC!l tiz.Il'a,jr Ll.r.d firc ... ,ood i:;, hO".'icvor, nn ir.?:lrt:::..nt locnl incnstry. .

The p!'ovinr,;(:s (): Tcn~~in 'lnd Lr.os nro r:i.ch in minc!'!'\la, the Intt.cr l:-.q;cly u!lcxpl(')itc(~. Eis,h ~u:llitj· .m:tnrf'.citc co~l deposits nrc foand T.orth of f.~,:iphon6, t".n::' 00f·)10 th0 "'::11' !,J!'oduct;.on rOD-chad oi.~cr 2,000,0,)0 ton:; n YC!l.T nostl:{ by op':m cut r.d:ling. Procluc.tio::l in 1948 ","1:'.5 only 34:0.00J tens eu,:, to 1o.~k of ~:-p..c~incry r.!"l.i1. lnbor r~n'l guorrilln ::~c·:;ivit;ic5. Cokine co~~l is fou!l_J. o~ll:r in :t.nsiG!1ificnn.~ qunntitios.

Thoro ('.TC ~.lttablo tin dODOr.its in Horth Tonkin 't\nd CcntrD.l l'Q.Os. }'roductio!l reached 1GOO to;s in 19313. Consi:lorablo cru~o .till was also brouGht t!c,.-n froIl Yun!:o.ri, Chiri,,,~, fol" s::J.olti:tg nt naiphonc~ Production is·at prosc:lt a.t n 'stn .. 1dstill duo to t;n.c guc~rillo. wo.1'1'o.ro. A fo-:: tOilS v!orc flo ... ·m -out of Yur.!1~:1. in 1943, buJ

.; plc.!ls for developing ·this huy·:: o·Jon postponed b~c!".uslJ or tho present h~.gh prlco .of Chin030 tin.. Ton~incso tin orcs cont:-..ir.. t~xngstC!l, C:.!ld production in 1938 rCc.ch0d 555 tons of' concc:rtrnV;:.

Thoro nTO y:thmblo zinc orcs in 'Lonkin. Production reachod 25,000 to!lS in 192G, but dropped to about 5;000 beforo tho wc.r as

·'!.·ro::-ld price::. d:::clincd. ~h:c~c n:'nc::: o.r'~ :'.130 closed. .Gold doposits were ,';o:-:=6d ~~t ,·:-..rio"Us poi:ct-.:; beforo tile l'lo.r but were of minor im-' porto.ncc.

Thoro nro !.r.!.90rtfl!1t· deposits of phosphate rock in nor"th";ost Tonkin nc".r the Chinoso frontier.t tho G07clopmo::lt of whj.ch 'wns begun by th3 J~po.~cso durinG the \'mr. Exploitr:ticn of thoso rich l,une:; '7i11 ro,!uirc :lot only tho pneifiC(~tion of the c.roo. but large investments of cf'_pit:ll.

l,~~y ot1-.or minorc.ls, inolu1int, :ircn oro, b~uxitc, lend. c.nti­Jlony, and bTllp:·dto,; t~ro k..""1.o· .. :n to exist, tI.n-d Lo.cs p~rticulll.rly ms only bco~ p~rtinlly proG?~ctod.

Inr:!n:;try is of littl" i!l:port:::.nc.:: in Indochi::lo, t'.nc! is chiefly concoT!i.·':!d ';:i~;:'l thQ .prot:ossinr; or r'o.Gricult'..tr!ll :l:l1 :rorcs~ prCc.11c"t-S. Tbo tl')st i:.~~)ortr..nt r.:~u:'t..cturing ir.dustry is tl:o cc:!:cnt \':or!~s !1i.)a.r ,,;­P.Jl.iphfj!i~;' Thi5 pro-:luco·:1 260,000 t(l!lZ "before th~'.,.!::'.r nne c.bout lOO,O'X) in 1~4.s. Otl .. .,r r..i!lGr in~t'l::;trios pro4u·c..;: ::~lcoh,jl, toxtilos, :a~sn!" I ::,.n1 ciE;t:.r-ctt;e~.

183 C. Foroig:1

t. F'ore izn J.'~;ldo

1. !!.~:£Tts

Be-fore the \',""".T rico, l'uob,::r, !".nd cern rCl'!".vsontcc 75;: of the total vC'.luc Ol~ ox!>orts. Of ether i~c!:!s, only c'o!\;, dried £is:'1, tin ~!1d CC::1cr..t \".\~re oyer 1;; of' tho tatOol.

Tod~!· nlbbcr is tho lo~.di!1g export by vc.lun •. Shjpmcnts t~-to.lcd nb6ut ('2,O()O to!'lS in 19·~8. This cc;..prt.r~f, favoracly \',ith·prci·.:r .. r but 13 loss th:l!1 h~lf of p!"'oscnt c:~p~city. rico eXfort.s nt 2.20,.000 ton::; in­p!"oYcd ov·;;r 1~17 b·J.t 'WC!'C 0!"'.1:,' r. lr~c~io:n of' the prc';!~r o.vcrflgc of over l,SOO,OC0 ten::>. In 193[\ O'-1or [ic·J,COn to~.:.s of CO!'n wore exported" nlm.oot r.ll- to_ Fra.:aco. Ihtri:'l.& ttc \";:~r p:,od~~c1;fo!1 pr .... cticc.lly c£;:\.zca c.nd h~s !:,,;:.."!,d,Q little rccov,::ry si!":cc. ~'fit!~ tho docli::1c i:l t:tc cx?ort of rico. end COT!l, ccrtnl!l other pro':!uc-!;s such n ~ hie03 ':lr.c1 s~::ins.. sOY!l and other 1)'J'1.:i5, poppor, o.n1 k.'l.pck hnvo ~5$u~:".i:d rrJlntjvc ir.~ortn~co.

The rocovcry of Indocilin;Jso c:<p~rt;s to pr(;".:;~r levels depends prir.!trily 0:1 politiCt11 f.r.ctorz end tho roturn of security. Ho"::ovar" 5uch rccoycry \':culd net cccur irr!i7'.('cli::-.toly on ":.h·J rc.l;uT:1 or pcmcc sinca r..uch c.c-structio!>. r.nd c.ctc:rio!':,·~icn h-;.s occu!'rcrl '.;;hich nould tnke- ti:lt1 to ropc..ir. Thus ri~o oxports \'rill be hi!ldcrod for some timo hr !o.ilurr:l to k..?_,?p up ~1i1:o:; o.n:1 ero.in .. \~v or irrigation enn!'.lsl lack of ju~!:s to £0.,0 t~lC p~d;!y .. (",::j cicstruct:;.o:l and doterioration of rice mills. P.:ubb':;r coulc! rcc(\,.-cr t'.orc c;.uickly out !~ .... ny trees mvo boon sl~shC'd or but':\ue o.::d !'::-.ctorias and houses dostrolod. J.nnunl nm'," or r.::pl~nti!1G sC:~ct!ulcs h::"IC !>0-:m It.Tc;oly c..b~nc!O!lOd siner.: 19~5. All cXi\ort jnui.1~tr~.(;s ~rc !lffcctc~l b;! t~G ~\;:norn.l dctcricrntion of ,;,'C..tor .. TO:".n, n'ne rr.il tMns!>or~;;. •

. . C'lcr 60;; .. b~l "\~luo, of In1ochi:l~ t 5 exports GO to 1<"r.:4:1CO :l.!1d.

tho E:-.:pir·3, !lbOil~ tn-a S~i:" r:$ b,)i"ol'o tho ~'::::.:r. !·{ot;.t of tho bc.l!lilcO r.O.3~ to Si:'[:lporo, !lo~u KO:lC, ('.ne Chi:!fl.. Ex!?orts to the United Stc.tes f'.:7.0U:ltc:i to 0:11y nbout 3;; of the tot.::..l v::.luc in the first ton :r.onth3 of 19~B. Tho pCl'CO:1t~gc ·~;::-.5 !.o!':i.o\·:h:~t higher beforo tho \'1o.r but ~~ nmrcr 'boon l~r~"O t.::!.1 prob~bly novor ~till _be unloss the oconomy or the courltr~t ch!l::-iGos sl~~171y. ~{e co not i!:1p('lrt; rice,. corn, con1. or cCl:lcn~, -v:hilc Indochi:'losl) rubbnr ·:till non:..'l.lly GO to Fmr.ca.

2. I:nports

I~J~rt~ e.r:) r.:vic up of tho uS'.l!J..l Golcctico!1 of -rnnuftlcturcd. prod'Jf!;!;s y:hich nrc neodcQ by a :1on-in!!ustri .... l cou!li;r'J cf 'low per' cClpit~ p'.lrcht.si!"~C PC:·:1·3:-. v.J."J to the, .;rc::'.t :1oed for both consur.;ptic-!l t~!.i.e c:::~pitnl GCo~s fo~lc· .. d::S sb::: :/c:..rs of bl"c!~:".do" irr.?orts sil~ce "the \',ur h.'l ...... ·~ boo~ ~1):l!::.ti"t"Jly hi~h cOr.!,?!lrcl.! \·tit!l cx,orts end h-~YC rccc:;.tly o>:eo,::dcd f'r03':!!~r vol\.1:~o.

U:'ldcr tho prc'::~r sy:;t~ZI or c~~i.r'J p!"cfcrc:l.zc, Frunco. no.t'J~·D.lly supp! i;::r1 tr-.c 1'!rr~5t r.;;:'!,.~ o!' i:-'pc:-t!i, 57;; in 1~13~.. I~ spite of' r. ch~.T.[;c to! ::0:1, p::-cf.:;!",,:"l.C" (~S !'c.r :.5 i:t'-?ort. duti·::'s ::.~,:, concur~od, trn.noo h'1.~ r ..... ,iT.t ... ~"i!'h~~ h-:,r p"c5tic.:1 n::.d- supi>l'i,od ,CO,·; by v:J.h.:c 'in 1917. l::-.ports frem the Unitod St~:tc:s h':lvC boon. rol,,:tivllly l:..rc;cr ,sinco. the wc.r :l:ld r.sountcd J;o 192;~ in lS'= 7. This' c!rcppoc1 to lL11o_ in: tho fir.s~ ten tlOn~hs of 191n. !.b:t of the b~lo.nco ec.!:i.v £'1'O:il China, Hong Konz, Sie;:n, ('.n!! In.!ic..

184

3. Ba}nnc~ of Trad~

From 1906 until the "ar Indochina had a favorable balar:tce of trade except in 1923, 1931, and 1932. The balance has n~ sharply chanGed and from January to Oct over J.9!~8 iml'orts i'lCre valued at 1,764 J'l'lillion piastres and cXIlC'rts only 926,. a deficit of 838 rn.illion. * The foreign exch."lnge probleJll is thus acute, particularly as concerns dol­lars. The dcfici-:' has been made up by France under the plnn for the French Union. The failure to include! Indochina for dl.reet allotments under the H"rshall Plan resulted in considerable delay in the 1948 Plan, and i't is only in recent i'leeks t.hat·' certain dollar allot!llents have been approved. !.jost imports from the Ur.:ted States in 1948 "ere delayed ship",ents under the 19!;7 Plan.

The ambit.ious ten year plan for the reconstruction and equip­ment of Indochina foresees large investments of capital. The present administrators of the plan expect most of this capital to come from goverrunent sources, and there j.8 little place for private capital, either French or foreign. It is probable that present plans will have to be considerably modified to fit the nmT political conditions n~ developing.

4. Finance and Currency

Internal finances are ·in relatively good shape in spite of the . critical foreign exchange problem. The central government bas derived its chief income from customs fees, excise taxes and monopolies y of which the opium monopoly is the most lucrative. Subsidies were granted to provincial govermnents from the central budget. .

During the past year a n"",ber of changes have taken place in preparation for the nel. political organization. The bank note monopoly bas been. taken. from the pO":lerfulBanque de l ' Indochine and is being transferred to a ne~'i Emission Institute. A separate Indochines~ Treasury' bas: been authorized, ~;rhile the revenues from the excise taxes and monopolies ;rere technically transferred to the Associated States on January 1, 1949. All these measures contemplate a closely knit economic federation for Indochina in "'hich French participation and influence "ill be prominent. The individual states, particularly the Vietnam, are strongly oppOsed to this, and lengthy and bitter disputes ~ththe French on economic and financial matters can be anticipated.

The Indochinese piastre ;ras "orth 10 francs from 1934 until 1946 "hen the rate was changed to 17. ~'he rate of 6.95 piastres per dollar bec8l!ie 12.55 asa result of the French devaluation of January 1948. In October 1948 the system of a double exchange rate >ras ex­tended to Indochina, the official rate remaining at 12.55 per dollar and the ·"free" rate fluctuating >lith the free franc. CUrrent quotations are about ].9 per dollar. FOl'eign trad~ transactions take place at the average o(·the·'h·/O rates or about 15.70. The black market rate rose duri~.g 1948 fromaro1.1nd 40 to about 55 per dollar. Even better rates are occasionally reported from Hong Kong and Bangkok.

5. Cost

* It .is di.fficult to con-,ert these f,igures to dollars due to t;io devaluations during the period. Foreign trade is nO\. conducted at about 15.7 piastres per dollar, the average bet"een the official rate of 12.55 and the free. rate of about 19.

185

Tr.o coot of li"l;h.C r.~s :nountod !'opidJy sine:) t~o ,'/;,r, ,t·.1u the.: indt1X fo::, E'Jrop~n$ in n:;co!;~b·:r 19,18 -,'lUG 264.6 (fir~t l:o.lf 1939.:: 100) cot",p:u'cd with 1(;38 !l Y'::lT ct..t"li-cr. CCr.1p~ro..l.;i';(' l"'j&lt:r~'s for n~.;.~i"7o

l';orki!i& clt.ssb5 "I:oro 3~5G nne!. 21302. For A!at:ricnns c.ttenptin£;i t.o opcr-Cote n t tho tlfrvotl oxchr.:tt:o Tt4.tc, piicCls nro outr:"scous. )

n:no:r.g

, S!\lf'.ricG tC!lU to l:l~ b;:;hind pricss

tho wOl'kir:g populntiol1 ·~~.ld the l-nr[;c

6. CO:1clusion

',j wi"th rcs:llting unrost c1',55 of civil ~G"r~."3.nts.

'.i'hc b::t.sic prcblonn of the econo::1Y of !ncochin!l a.po shul'lr to tho:::o of c·tlwr ;.si.;tic cC'urj;:rivs, "';ith c.ny incr-cnse in tho st.!'.:1~C'.ril of livinr; tc~ ... :!iriG to be checked by the rnpid rise in the popul~tiol1. (C~\r.:hx'!irl. is n!l excoption in thr.t th-3 pop'..ll~tic~ !S 5tt:'~tic.) The dcvclopi:,Ciut of .the ~inern.l rcs;:\\1!"ccs C".!ld the ir.c.ustrin.li!a.l.;.ion o!' the cou~rtry .... ol 11 requirr' c!wrmous ~nol.lJltG of c::\pi~;u1 nn'l T:",'.tch ti:nv.

The n politicnl

Om ""C!J'r .. !n. .J._"1.

in.'il<::di~to problc~n of rest,oring PCIlCO: and order is pril!l!lrily ono.

. .... -'

.186

..

A problcA ·'lhich c~nrronts :-.11 s~:'"'.11 offico:" no c1oubt, i,5 the' . ur..1.ls\.iclly hoo::y lot.d of ncmi::.ist.::·~ ... ti vv yrork in r!'"opo:.~tion to tho r.nt)ur:.t of crc[.ti YO 1":01';:. tur!lod Ot1t, 'l'ne rcqu:ir-cr::.-:mts of the DC2C'.Tt­m·:mt. for r~cl:,;,d.nj str:'.ti VIJ TUPO!".!';s., and tho cr:.mr:.tity of ndminl strnti YO d(;t~il i'!'.~:.:;.l·;'Jd 1:1 tho e~.il:r oI>Cl":lti-:'l!l of'~ s,I:'lll office is- rou[;hly the sa::!'] =.s !'cr c. It'.rgc office.:. The r~dininis-;'-;r'"!tivc ir..strucJ"ions t'.nd the fO!'!T.s pr(:~cr:i_b.cd arc n':\-tu!·r .. ll~' c1r~.ft')i.. ·".;ith l'\l'gc officos i..T't r.lind, and thvir usc in n r.I?l'l!1 off'icc is dii'fi'Jt:lt ll!1d rosu'!.ts i:1 n dis­proportionc-.tc c.r.oun~ o~ time spent on nd.:l!nistrntive work.

It is urg..:;1 thClt the Dop~rtr.lcnt investiGate this tl'Atter with 0.

vic,;- to givh~g ~~d.:!itio:1!).l o.uth.:.rity to-tho fiGld to r..:=J:o docisl.o!1s nnd ~1so to tl';1.n~fcrrinG to tho DO!l~~rtl.1cnt ti1.l.ch of tho II control IT

records ~.nd rcport;inc th==~-'; is no-or dct"_ .... ndocl of' the 1'ield..

t.liC:1 Stnff -------

S::it;Ol1 r.:lS bc')n o:9cri~ncing cons5_dcrnblc tr·~mblc in fincing nnd kocplng o.licn porsonnel, ~nrtic'.tlD.!'ly French c~loyccs. Business houses erc in 0. position to e,f:::."":::r bct.t;.cr so.l~r:.os nr..d _0. sh~rt·~r ".10rk \'lcck, r.nd tae CQz:st:.::'r:.tc h::.s becn u:l .... !.l)lc ~o co:~~)c:t.;:i •. Rccom:xn::tntions h!lvO .recently b::cn sc!.d~ to ~j~shin£;1;o~l .... :hich, j'~ 1s hoped, ,",:'..11 ~on.C­

v:h":.t c;;:-:,:;l:'o!'~~to this sit".mtior .• _A~ s!nc1o '''!ace :'!lc"l".1d:.::lg b~sic "!:tS'c cnd to;;;:,"o~.-r;,r=,. incrcns:J h;::s b·'.':;:l r.\l~G.,)st:,)d, -"/hich "I';ill be sOl.li-~r .... "'lt!:l11y r..d~u,!';t,.:;cl r.ccording to ch~tr:[..::ti in tho cO,st c.': livi~& iT.;d~x. 11t tho 50::-1() ti: .... o ~ positior:' e!o.s:;if5 c:'l'~·.io;'l_ 5~·st0!r'. l:ns boen ~st":'..bli.sh·~d -ahieh 0.11c,.::5 in-cr~c!c pro::oticnE fe,r r.-.ori t C.lla scr.vico.

To cneoumco ~ho 0.1io:1 st",rf to cO:ltinuc its y.;or~c with the Gcv~::,n­mcnt~ c.nd to r.nl~o "!;hcm nOTo.) vn.lua.blc to tt.c cf'i'icc, .it is _hoped tt.:1.t $0:;.(; ... m.y o.."\n _be fou~~ ... -:ithin b:.H~Gc1; ·lini.f;nt~ons to provide lC'.ngu='.ga .o.n1 stcnc{;;_T:"',pl:i:c lc~so!:s for thos.': nCt'\b~!'s of ~hc st=-.:rt who o.:>PC:'.T to be qu~liticd. Sto!1(;t;rt:.phors l'.!'C o.J.::',C'Zit irr:;,>C!ssiblo to 'ri!ld in Sn.ic:c::l. end it i~, thcr.J:fo!"c, noccs"i~~r:: for !'Jfficcrs t~ cor.:SUi:'J:: ~uch vt'.lur<.blc time i.a""! d~Qr'!;inG co~rcspond·~nc:l for- typists. Th~ cC'st of such tr~in­ins is no::;.i~t.l, the: ti:;.·) ~l:'o"":1Jd G.urinZ ,o;o;:-:irl"~ nO"'.lrs for tho sti.\d.y ·::oulc1 be nr:sli,r;ihlo" ::.nd t~o TlJsults unclo"'.l-::rtcdl:,. Entisryin~.

S~iGO-:'l !'OT!1"!'!] C'xpol'io:nccr.! $CriOU3 losses in shir>rr,c:1ts of of­ficl!:.l :;'.lppl:'os c.nc! pcrso:l;.:.:!. effect:.; th.~ou;h ::;.ho:-t :;hip::.~::1ts, to-cft, t .. !ld br(;:!J:r.q:;c.. It "inS rCl~~4 ";h~t cll)C1.rinc c,ccnts \uiu:".lly took 1i ttlc int.e:l"'''Jst i:i 00;1:';'.\1:1:' s;·dp::-.c;;'J.i;a SiilC':" r·.~ r. rt.:.lc th("y ::~rc srr,;.ll n!"'!.!l tho r.)~;!:-::'"1 for th:J tir::e art:! effort 3pc-nt en clc:'lrin~ doc.!' not ~m,rr:mt Iini.:ir.g, tho cxtr~ otto!".t,,; t.o s\'il?cr"i,'":.:sO ~rc!'-.Jlly· our ::;hip:::.cnts. -'tho Con::;ul~tc .... ns st'ill npondinc r.,uc:h ti:::o on ct'~c!l Ghip~cnt· in o.rron£ing

187 for

It h!l.s bc.::n. fou:tc. J';:l~.t: II cc,n;;iclc!'~~hlc su:;~ of' ms.:vJY CQTI be: s:"·.v~d by tr!lini!l.G. nn nli-::Il c .. ,plo:io,) ~o h~.ndlc the entiro clt:~rHnC'J. rIo h:..s ~ufficicnt ofi'ici~l s';';~\lldhlG "',;0 j).:,:-r:ti.. J

..; hi,a "..;0 e:-:pcclitc p~;.pors f.nd clQ~\r:~nc.0 procod'\ro~ tht~t \'!ould cthol'YJlf10 t~·.::e d'lY:;, und by' de-:otir.e hi3 full tl:;!o ~~(\ the clcc.rinc of the ship:n:r:.:t. ('.nd !.l~vinb the good::; quic~dy.lo,c50':; l::!vc; been cut to a l'lrGc ~xtCllt.

~!.'1.il nnd Courier ScrviC"o

SaiGon h .. "\5 bC':!I1 cXIJ~:r:'cncine cO;:lsidcrtlblc d'Jla.:r in the tn.!ls­r.d5!iicn of" :>ouch :,::-...5.1, bot:! c":il.:rl·';l" n::-;Q t:!1::;,cco~.p.:I.)·:ied c.ir pO'.,lC;'-.O~. It is nc(' . .::r;::'.I"/ to nlle.:..- u;,) to th1'00 \':c:,,:,~:s· for the tr~n::ir.1i::;sio::-1 of T.'!~il to tho P,)p:-.rLnc:r.t. It is possible tIl?t 0"..;1'1-31" offices in t!1is c.~o~ h:!. vo hoen cxpcricncins tilt: s:'.r;:c ciff'i C1.l.J t.y I r~;~d it i s S"J.gt;c~~cd

tr.::~t n cOhctJrte1 effort be I~:iUO to e:1CO".l!"::l,Ge the D(;?c.r~mo:1t to ...... or~: out a ~Jor;;: cxpcc1itiou:> \'i:tY ".:0 h~n(Ue E"\il to o.nd- fro~,l Southoast Asich Son. ~)ouche~ take n. r:liniJ71um. of six ":ceks to rench Sc.igon.

It i~ not s:l.fo to t;cnd pcrso:-.r..l corrcspcnrlonco of.' any il:1.portuncc through t~~c 0P·J:l. T· .... il in I!1coc:::in:t. I:n spite of fir::i. d0nic.ls there is c..rJ.c;qu!'/~o proei' tr:a.t :=. fOl"m of ccnsors:li[.l c:dr.~so 7.hi5. dcln.ys J!"~il, and c!1co~rGr.(:s th,:) 10:3s of enc1osttTC::s r..nd srm.ll p~ck.'l&os.

It i::; n[;ni!l dc::;ircd to po!.nt out to noichboring offices th::.t Sn:i-GoI! ir. nc..t o.blc to r:u:".r~.:1.t<::c o.cco;;'!l';l(dD.ti_o~i.s to visitin(; business men, nnd on1~/ 7iith g!'".:::~t dH'fiCl\lt:_r nftd "·:it·h :\1'::)103 notice. cn.rl c.c­cO;".:"il~dn:tior::s' be n!'l"~\nbcu for offici:)'1 visitors. }. critic~l housins situ~tio:l is not p~culinr to SuiGon. 1i:o ...... c\1"~r, cor.::;ulnr rcsid'3nccs here rl!"C !;:.:,:;:.ll !''.l:d ':;ith th.J (;xcc?~ic!l of the: consul gonoral"5 rcside:Ti(.c do not !>~sscss gU:!!it ro?;.ts. 3vcn t!. CO~riTmcd rescT1iTd;ion usu~:lly ;ncnns _c., b~d in u c1or:nitoJ'j' ",'ith fro~a three to ten people~

". }.:any unofficir;,l t!'":lvolc:rs Eave b,cn givinz; the CO!ls'I,l1nte Gcn::;rnl

e.s a rt::fcro~c'J ~·;::-.cn ~pplyi~!G for 0.:1 e!'ltr:( vis!\. The French o!'i'icio.ls c~11 f\t th·:;' CO:lsulntq GQ~orr~l ~ntici?r~tin~ th:1.t · .. ,0 ",',"i11 C;ivo 0. gunrc.n­tCQ of lOGging. T~is, of' cours~, is not possible, c.nd it is, therefore, o.g~in uTc;c1 th~.1.; b:.lsi!1.e.ss"!'!':l::m-·r:.~d tourists be -,'.'":'.rncG. thrJ.t there r:~'ty

·not bo c.:-:.y ncco8:r'.ocl::ttion :lY~ii!".blc in S:li;on and tr.:lt they should :lnkc no a.tte~:>t tc co::,,;·:: to l!1dccj-li:l..'1 unless th(;y nrc a.ssurcC! in r.d"Jn.nco of ~odeir.t·

Consulnr

Snif;O:1. ccncu::,,~ .. · .... it!l E::.t::.vin tk~t SO;,"l'::! effort should h:: rr .. '\d-o to l'rovirlc nI"l o?oratil)!ls :'::\:1Ufll fo;::" cttch c:.nsula.:' office. !~e .. ; ·or-ficers coni:1.~ to' the f:'Q].t!. for t!lt; i'i::-f;t t:.::;.c, eyo:! :".ft'J:" ~ J.;rc.i:1.ir.& pCl"icd ir.. ~·;':':.s:1i::ttt,=r.., fine. it mo::d; cif'ficult to f:"l.!nilic .• izc thc:lsl')lY~s ~.:i"th

their "·iO!'"~=. Oftc!'!. they ::::'1":' rcplnc:'nr; SO::lconc , ... ho h~s nlr~C\e.y loft

lea tho pos';

the Po)~"~ or -:;il.:'! lea .... es :;llortl~' o.ftcr his :::,l':'iv:l.l .. , J..I; lS il~.?O~~i,!)l':: to 'J.:.;~i:~~il~tc ~ll th..: (!(.)tn.iJ.::; c.,f rroc,)C:~!!'c in c. s}:('!'t 1.h'.c:, nr.d for this !'(',,,,:.:;on dctc.ilcd orer~tiI~t;; instruc':;ic::::; Ehould be !Y:.dc 0. .... :..i1r-.010.

'i~o pr.:!cce.c!'!.t filo elV')::> i..'.l.c!'l. Y~ .... lu~~blc ir.fol'r.-.'ltion ~.bout con­ditjor.~ p0culi~r to o:r..c p'.\rJ ... :'c,,-,l~r post. !~o·:;c·.."::.r, ~or jn~trucLio:~s

rCf,::l.!"c.inC shippint3, SC:.I.!!lOn, vis':\(3, f.!1d pns::;ports cr not~ri['.ls, t.\

cct!\il':lu Guide is o~::;i":n';i(l,~. In n t:!;~':'..11 post 0.:1 Q!'i'"iccr !.'"C.y ncv~r, durinG his J';C!l\.,ro, hr,Yc Occ~E~on to issue c()rto.in types of' vis::u. or oxpori(;!1c,~ W':'~!>ur~l s)!il'P:bZ; ~:;.j SC·'1rICli proLlc:.1S. aut (lcc~sion.'1.11y thos'.J 51 t ... n'tions do c.rise, t.nd ~!1 tm':-;Apcric:1ccd officer h~ .. s no re­COUl"S'J but to r(:fcr t.e so::'.'; luic!o for o.:;aistc".nco.

'Tho For''Ji[;;!l Sor~licc ?cbu.}~ti(,::1::; ::.rc,. of cO'.lrsc, tho b!'.sic rn~r.uf.ll. E;-;:p0ric:lCc 1,!.ls pl'c'J':m, n-:f:t0\'Cr, th:~.1~ tho sections C!1 yis~s, p:\ss!,:.>rts, s;1.ip?ing r~;d. ~cG.!,1sr:., ir.-::1ic~n.t.ion n.:-.c. not::-.rir.ls aro 'nct;ic-:J­ably ir:~c.cq1,.!:.t'J · .. 11':.\":21 c.!·'Jt~ilcd i:ls'!;ructio:ls nrc required. In the inter·:,;:;;;' (If efficient Cli"ticc: r'Jutino !'.l1cl tL:: propor exoc'.lt.i':ln of consul~ r c.uti·~s wi thin the bou~d~ 0: cur presont buc1got lind t(l.tic~:J, which :;-:.!!:cs it cs::cnti!ll to 01.)-::r:\,".;:o \'iith ::. SXtl1 st2'.ff -and n l!""'-Xi:;-.' • .li'l

of ?roc~l.C':f;iYo effort, it is urGed ti.f.\.t these port;_ons of the reG\;.­Intic:-l::; bo r~-cx":\m;,r~od ... :dth n yic,,': to i~Pl'01"jDC thoir eO!ltcnt so thc.i; thQy !::J.y serve ns ~ help!\:.l guid'3.

This po::t nlso ngTc..c~ \':i.l .. h &o.tnvi!'l. th~t t\ ec.nccr·;';cd cffcoTt should 'b:: r:.~ ... dc to ob".;~in rcd'!lctic.ns in tclcr;!":-\ph rntcs bct;·,':Cc.n. posts i:-.· this rv(;io:'1. It ia acsirod to point out tc llcif;hborinG post:> tt-::.t th,~rc is c('nsl:;lo'r~~bl'; cel!:..:,' hi tro.r.smission of tolcr;ro.rr.s_ bct-,':cC:1 ccuntl·ios sir:.ct:· rnc:l.io ci reu: ts ·nrn open only once or o:.t .••. mo~t t..~-li':'"J c dnYt \l5\<~1]y nt r:1Ght. Thu!> p'J~'!ic:!s '!.;r.:l.·;<:lir:.C by cdr to S:\ibCl~l oftc.r. TCJ.C~l he;rc 'bciorc tLo tcl~crr..r.l r.mlouncing their a.!'r~ ... nl.

rr..:cfjr

189