851G.00/3–1947: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
1186. I talked last evening with Bollaert, new High Commissioner for Indochina. He talked very sensibly and in realistic fashion about his job. He assures me that he is well aware that any attempt to return to previous colonial practice is inconceivable and that he leaves with the determined intention of carrying out all promises hitherto made by the French Government in regard to the “independence of various countries within the French Union”. He said that he hoped particularly to maintain cordial relations with our consular representatives in Indochina and he asked me to communicate this fact to them. He will get into touch with them soon after his arrival. He said that he realizes also the importance of good relations with our press representatives and that they be given ample opportunity to send out news.
It is not his intention to stay there indefinitely. He is going out only to do a job: That is, to come to an agreement with “whatever authorities really represent the people of Indochina”.
Repeated Moscow 154. Department please repeat to Saigon as Paris 9.65
- Repeated also to Hanoi as No. 29, March 24, 3 p.m.↩