Background For War: REPORT ON INDO-CHINA

• Share

(5 of 5)

What the French Should Do. Another suggestion is that Vietnamese politics be left in abeyance, and that only French power be reinforced to crush Communism. But this idea defies the one principle which the West cannot ignore: neither Europe nor Asia can be permanently defended by outside forces. They can be helped, but they must be able and willing to defend themselves. This is partly an Indo-Chinese civil war, which can only be completely won by a majority of a free people inspired by a national ideal.

There is also a third and viable solution that will bring the kindly, intelligent and sensitive people of Viet Nam solidly and healthily to the Western side. They must be given the self respect of free men. Tangibly, that means that a Vietnamese national army must be built up by the French which can eventually replace the French. The French must give arms to villagers whose desire to defend themselves is beyond reasonable doubt.

There are other things, little things, that count. Some Frenchmen continue to address adult Vietnamese in the familiar "tu"—a pronoun which in French is reserved for children, intimates and riffraff. This habit could be uprooted with slight effort.

What the U.S. Can Do. The U.S. is committed to $23.5 million of civilian aid to the Vietnamese government. Saigon also expects that the U.S. will spend $200 million for military aid to Indo-China (out of the total of $300 million earmarked for southeast Asia). As that aid is given, the U.S. is going to have to put tactful pressure on Viet Nam and on the French to correct their mistakes. Energetic administrators like Governor Nguyen Huin Tri must be helped, and others told to use what they have before asking for more. A social policy must at least be initiated. Indo-Chinese intellectuals must be taught that self-rule is not merely something presented with a charter and pink ribbon, but a status to be earned and a responsibility to be accepted.

All this can be done. This is not just one man's idea; it is also that of U.S. Minister Donald Heath, whose personnel is pouring into Indo-China. Five months ago, only seven men were attached to the U.S. legation in Saigon, and now there are-nearly 200. They are enthusiastic young men who have the right ideas. No one can visit Indo-China without praying thc.t they be totally backed in Washington, and that the free world be spared another heartbreaking Chinese experience.

The five kids playing dice on the curb in Hanoi have to be shown that they should no longer be solely concerned with guessing about who is going to win in their own country. If there is a gamble to be made, it should be on themselves.