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DATE: December 7, 1954

SUBJECT:Vietnam and Southeast Asia

At the Secretary's request Mr. Robertson, Mr. Morton and Mr. Young went to see Senator Mansfield this morning with respect to General Collins' analysis of the situation in Vietnam (Saigon's 2018 of December 6). Mr. Robertson explained to Senator Mansfield that the Secretary had a summary of this telegram early this morning and had asked that it be brought to Senator Mansfield's attention so that the State Department might have the benefit of his reaction and advice.

After reading the telegram and discussing various points Senator Mansfield stated his conclusions as follows:

1. The prospects for helping Diem strengthen and uphold South Vietnam look very dim given the best of circumstances. Any elections in 1956 will probably favor the Communists.

2. Nevertheless, the United States should continue to exert its efforts and use its resources, even if it will cost a lot, to hold Vietnam as long as possible. Any other course would have a disastrous effect on Cambodia, Laos and Southeast Asia. The Senator strongly opposed the idea of abandoning our effort in Vietnam. That course of action would lead to the absorption of Cambodia and Laos by the Communists. 3. Therefore,40950235368