Evening star., 1954-04-18
Far East Leadership
Indo-C Chinese Natives Lack Experience

controlling just about half Of the
population, national elections would
be impossible.
If a vote should be held soon
under Big Five or United Nations
auspices, it is quite probable that
Ho Chi Mimi and his native Wet Ma
meSe CommuniStS-who are looked
upon as natives first and Reds only
econdarily-would carry off siz-
able victory.
The principal nom Communist ma
tive leaders now on the horizon in
Wet Nam are four: Ex-Premier
Nguyen Van Tam; Mr.. Tam's son.
Gen. Nguyen Van Hinh. the chief Of
staff of the Wet Namese army: the
present governor of North Wet Nam.
Nguyen HUI Tri: and the ex-Min-
lister of Defense, Phan-huy Quat.
Tom Is French
Ex-Prime Minister Tam comes
from South Wet Nam. what used to
be the French colony of Cochin
China. He has French citizenship.
however. and this undoubtedly would
count against him in any national
election campaign. There is no doubt
of his loyalty to Wet Nam.
One of his sons was killed by the
Wet Mimi. Another, as indicated, is
the present Chief of Staff of the
Wet NameSe National Army.
Mr. Tam used to be chief of police
"a sort of. Minister of Interior-in
Wet Nam, and was an extremely
able administrator in that post.
Late last year Mr.. Tam had a
falling out with Bao Dai. after Mr..
Tam called loudly for introducing
more strong nationalists into the
government, in preparation for ne
gotiations with the Wet Mini. Bao
Dai quickly removed the premier.
but close observers on the scene say
it was not because Mr.. Tam was
too nationalistic. They claim the
main problem was a personality
clash between the two men.
AS a result, Mr.. Tam's political
prestige probably has been enhanced.
In his place, Bao Dai named Prince
Buu Loc, cousin Of his, who had
been in France conducting inde-
pendence negotiations. Buu Loc is
looked upon as another royalist like
Bao Dai, however, and would not be
rated any kind of chance in
national election.
The ex-Premier'S son. Gen. Hinh,
was lieutenant colonel in the
French Air Force in the last war.
He is married to a French girl. In
this country, where dislike for the
French is almost a prerequisite for
popularity, Gen. Hinh'S political
chances are not good in the imme-
diate future. If. in the course OF
the war, he finds an opportunity to
build himself into national hero.
however, his political future might
change.
Locks Experience
He is known as an intelligent ad-
ministrator. but lacking in expert
ence handling large strategic Ques-
tionS.
The third candidate for Wet Ma
meSe leadership most often men,
toned is Governor Tri> He has
good reputation as nationalist"
He stayed out of politics for some
time out of. protest against French
control When he left the ranks Of
the 0ttentiSteS Cfence sitters) the
move was heralded as the forerunner
to new surge Of popular support
for the Wet NameSe cause.
So far this move has not material
ized. But Governor Tri is a fiery
man. with most of the leadership
qualities that others in his country
have surprisingly little of. Neutral
observers expect that he could go
far in any democratic elections.
They add he probably would swing
farther to the left than most French
and American officials would like.
During his stint as Defense Min
lister. M. Quat impressed the Ameri-
cans and French who worked with
him A former medical doctor, M.
Quat has talent for administration.
He is quick -Witted and makes friends
easily, both of which qualities would
stand him in good stead in politi-
cal campaign.
Actually. the scarcity of leader
ship material in Wet Nam is the
central fact in the country today.
That is why a negotiated settlement
of war would be dangerous now. That
is also why it is hard to say what
would happen if Bao Dai were to
be deposed or if he we're to step down
when the war is won.
Fear of a Communist take-over
is one of the main reasons why the
French and their allies, including
the Americans, are still stringing
along with Bao Dai. He can be
counted on to oppose communism.
and the hope is that he can hold
Wet Nam together until it is ready
to stage a democratic election with
some hope of victory going to nom
Communist majority.
(Next Sunday: A summary of the
native leadership picture in the Far
East and how it can affect matters
under discussion at the Geneva con-
ference opening week from to-
morrow
~ ---'''s~SMNSM$SS%sAsesz