I first interviewed Sihanouk in May 1950. He was then king of Cambodia living in his Phnom Penh palace, an improbable mile-square fairy-tale cluster of golden edifices with tall spires and roofs inlaid with colored tiles styled in the architecture of the ancient Khmers. The twenty-eight-year-old monarch, educated in France, dynamic in personality, expert horseman, a patron of the arts with a penchant for writing poetry and composing music, received Audrey and me just several weeks after he had dissolved his government’s cabinet and taken on himself the duties of the premiership. He would abdicate in March 1955 as king in favor of his father, Morodom Suramarit, taking the title of prince, so that he could function more freely in a new, broader political role. Sihanouk was then very much the hero and father figure in his country of 3.5 million people. It was a beleaguered nation, plagued by native Issarak guerrillas and infiltrating Vietnamese Communist forces.
In Phnom Penh, attired in a white linen suit, Sihanouk received Audrey and me at dinner in the Feast Hall and entertained us with his Royal Ballet. Audrey and I had just arrived in his capital from Saigon, where I was posted as the Associated Press correspondent. After dinner the king invited us into his luxurious private apartments, furnished in Western style, for a discussion. In retrospect, given how in the next two decades he would flip from political links with France and the United States to alliance with the North Vietnamese and China, the interview he granted proved most extraordinary. The king spoke to us of his dissatisfaction with the treaty he had been compelled to sign with France in November under which, like Vietnam and Laos, Cambodia was granted only nominal independence within the French Union. Under the treaty, France retained control of defense and foreign policy with special rights for French interests in the economic and cultural spheres. “I regard the treaty as only a basis for further negotiation toward greater independence for Cambodia,” he said indignantly. But it was Ho Chi Minh, the king said, who posed the greatest threat to the future independence of his country. If his Viet Minh triumphed in Vietnam, he said, it “would mean the end of national sovereignty for Cambodia. The Ho Chi Minh government would set up a puppet Cambodian regime.” He told us that some 3,000 Viet Minh had already infiltrated into Cambodia from Vietnam, occupying a broad zone along the border, and were receiving arms through a corridor to Thailand. Sihanouk’s French-officered army of about 6,000 men was battling the Viet Minh and a faction of the Issarak Cambodian guerrillas who were allied with the Communists. Formed after the defeat of the Japanese in World War II, the Issaraks, whose name is a contraction meaning “League for the Independence of Cambodia,” were operating in diverse groups: some working with the Viet Minh, others committed solely to fighting the French, and some simply as bandits. As a group they were the forerunners of the Khmer Rouge Communists, which, led by Pol Pot, would seize control of the country in 1975.
After our meeting with Sihanouk, we returned to Saigon in a French military convoy. The heavily armed truck convoy sped across the lovely, brilliantly hued Cambodian landscape and through the villages at frighteningly high speed to lessen the chances of being ambushed by marauding guerrillas. En route we stopped for several days in Siem Reap, adjoining Angkor, the ancient Khmer capital. We were the lone guests in the Grand Hotel, a hostelry dating from the nineteenth century. The hotel, adjacent to the magnificent temple towers of Angkor rising out of the jungle, was guarded while we were there by a cordon of French troops. In the morning we strolled through the imposing ruins of Angkor built by the Khmer Empire’s King Suryavarmen between A.D. 1113 and 1150 to honor the Hindu god Vishnu. We came upon a crumbled temple which was being reconstructed by Cambodian workers stone by stone under the supervision of a French archaeologist. We asked the archaeologist if they were rebuilding according to illustrations from some ancient scroll. He shrugged and laughed. “These are descendants of the Khmers,” he said, “and they are fitting the stones in place only by their ancient instincts.”
I returned to Phnom Penh in September 1951 for an interview with Sihanouk in his palace. The prince told me of his latest frantic efforts to maintain the integrity of his kingdom. Three battalions of his army, newly equipped with American arms, were combating mounting Viet Minh infiltration. The prince was reaching out to the United States for additional military assistance and also political backing in his stalemated negotiations with France for greater independence.
I soon learned in speaking to other Cambodian leaders that there was also something of an odd flap in relations with the United States which stemmed from a story published in March in Washington newspapers. The story reported that Sihanouk was sending a white elephant to President Harry Truman as a gesture of goodwill. In Washington, Truman as head of the Democratic Party was being teased about receiving the gift of an elephant, symbol of the Republican Party. The widely circulated story was funny to everyone except the Cambodians, who felt that the world was enjoying a bad joke at their expense. A senior Cambodian official, Sinn Choi, told me that the elephant affair might have unfortunate political consequences. He explained: “Many years ago, when Cambodia was one of the most powerful kingdoms of Asia, vassal states were required to send white elephants to the king as a form of tribute. So you can see,” he said pointedly, “what sending a white elephant to President Truman might mean to the Cambodian people.” Fearing protest demonstrations, Phnom Penh newspapers were told by the palace to stop printing Washington dispatches about the affair. While Sihanouk was sending an elephant to Truman, I was told privately that the original story published in Washington had no basis in fact. But given all the publicity, the king had decided, nevertheless, to send a young elephant, not white, to the president as a gesture of goodwill.
While checking rumors circulating in the capital that an elephant had already been shipped, I obtained, by means not to be disclosed, copies of the cable traffic between State Department offices in Indochina and Washington detailing the extraordinary saga of the elephant. The tale had a sad ending, but there were hilarious aspects which provided me with a welcome respite from reporting the horrors of the Indochina war. Herewith the exchanges:
March 8, 1951
From: American Legation Saigon
To: Don V. Catlett
U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Phnom Penh
All Saigon Newspapers carry White House announcement that King of Cambodia will send white elephant to President Truman on occasion of Cambodian Minister Nong Kimny’s arrival in Washington. President quoted as being appreciative and intending to give elephant to Washington Zoo. Please confirm without giving any encouragement to Cambodians if offer and acceptance not yet firm.
Minister Donald Heath
March 8, 1951
Minister Donald Heath
Dear Mr. Minister:
I have just received your telegram regarding the story in the Saigon press and I must give a little background to clarify the situation. On February 3, Mr. Brady called me by radio from Saigon to say that the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Windham Bay was leaving Saigon that evening and that it could take an elephant which he understood had been promised as a gift to President Truman. After a morning of telephoning and conferences, it developed that his majesty, although most helpful, even to the extent of being prepared to give an elephant under the circumstances, had not previously promised one. It is still a mystery as to who promised it. In any case, it was impossible to find an elephant that day and the project was dropped. The aide of his majesty assured me if they could have advance notice, they would be glad to make an elephant available to us in the event that another U.S. vessel called at Saigon. Nothing was said about a white elephant.
Shortly after the receipt of your telegram, Prince Monissara came to inform me of the story in the Saigon newspapers. He asked me to make it clear that although his majesty holds to his promise of an elephant, he cannot give a white one, as they are non-existent, and in any case, have a particular significance to this country. The Cambodian government is naturally embarrassed by the story and somewhat irritated by the
jocular tone used in the Saigon press.
I, too, am embarrassed by this story, as the natural reaction of a Cambodian is to suppose that the so-called release from the White House was based on information from this legation, which is not the case. Would you please inform Washington that: (1.) His majesty has never promised a white elephant; (2.) His majesty has no intention of sending an elephant at the time Nong Kimny arrives; (3). Both the Cambodian government and myself would like information as to the sources of the story.
Sincerely yours,
Don V. Catlett
March 16, 1951
From: State Department
To: Saigon Legation
Elephant story probably evolved from item in Washington newspapers apparently based on conversation between State Department officers and Washington Zoo after receipt of Navy dispatch. Charge d’affaires at Phnom Penh should inform Cambodia: 1. No offer from Cambodian government of elephant white or otherwise transmitted to Charge d’Affaires or any authority to President. 2. No White House release was issued and no comment made by the President. For your information, Isthmian Lines offers free transportation Saigon to New York of elephant.
Acheson
June 11, 1951
U.S. Charge d’Affaires
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
His Excellency Neal Phleng
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Minister Donald Heath addressed to his Majesty Norodom Sihanouk Varman accepting on behalf of President Truman the gift of an elephant which his majesty has graciously made. I am now attempting to make arrangements for transporting the elephant to the United States.
Don V. Catlett
June 11, 1951
To: American Legation, Saigon
From U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Phnom Penh
Isthmian Lines agent here has been instructed to arrange transportation from Phnom Penh to Manila where, it would be embarked on Steel Worker for United States. As elephant should be in Manila by June 30 only possibility get it there in time is embark elephant on Felix Roussel leaving Saigon June 17.
Catlett
June 11, 1951
Mr. John Getz
American Legation
Saigon
It is impossible to send the elephant to Saigon by river boat in time to embark him on the Felix Roussel. Truck seems the only answer.
The elephant is seven years old, about six feet high at the shoulders and weight I would guess 4,200 pounds. He is a male but is supposed to be pretty well behaved. As for food, he eats sugar cane (impractical for a long voyage), corn (although he should not be fed that as a sole item of diet), rice shoots and paddy.
The Cambodians can’t seem to say how much he eats per day, but perhaps the zoo people in Saigon will know from his age and size.
Sincerely,
Don V. Catlett
June 17, 1951
From: American Legation, Saigon
To: Charge d’Affaires, Phnom Penh
Captain Felix Roussel refuses to take elephant. Investigating possibility of air transport from Phnom Penh to Manila.
Heath
[Editor’s note: The plan to ship the elephant by air was abandoned after the Cambodians advised Catlett that the elephant would get airsick.]
July 2, 1951
Societe Indochinoise de Transports
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Monsieur Catlett
Charge d’Affaires, American
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Dear Monsieur:
Relative to our talk Saturday concerning the hiring of one of our trucks to transport a young elephant from Phnom Penh to Saigon. The undersigned is informed by a person who has worked several years with elephants that these animals are very insane and their mahouts (caretakers) are not always their masters. Considering these risks of damage to our truck without counting any other consequences, I regret I must withdraw my promise of providing you with transport for the elephant.
Sincerely,
V. Geiler
July 19, 1951
American Legation, Saigon
Charge d’Affaires, Phnom Penh
Dear Mr. Catlett:
Several worthy appearing projects and plans for transport of the elephant have fallen through, but we think that we finally have the answer. The French ship, Darlac, will leave Saigon July 26 with elephant and with his feed for 50 to 55 days. The ship will arrive in Singapore July 30 and the elephant will stay at the local zoo until Aug. 5. The elephant will leave Singapore on the Steel Surveyor on Aug. 5 with one stop at Durban, South Africa, will sail around the Cape, arriving in New York on or about Sept. 1.
Since the elephant must arrive in Saigon early on July 24, it may be necessary to transport the elephant by the Legation truck. (We hope the fears of the Phnom Penh truckers are groundless!)
Following the advice of the veterinarian, we are planning on sending the following foods with the elephant based approximately on 50 days of travel: 1,000 kilos each of rough rice, corn, rice, 2,500 kilos of rice straw and 100 kilos of banana trunks. A sturdy cage will be constructed here.
Is it too early to congratulate ourselves?
Sincerely yours,
Roman L. Lotsberg.
July 21, 1951
From: U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Phnom Penh
To: American Legation, Saigon
Elephant leaving Phnom Penh Sunday morning by truck. Mahout accompanying elephant speaks only Cambodian and is to be taken to Cambodian office in Saigon which will take charge of him and send him back to Phnom Penh.
Catlett
July 22, 1951
From: American Legation, Saigon
To: U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Phnom Penh
According all opinions mahout must accompany elephant to States. Present mahout has sick mother and refuses stay Saigon beyond tomorrow morning. Need mahout with passport latest early Friday.
Heath
July 26, 1951
From: U.S. Charge d’Affaires Phnom Penh
To: American Legation Saigon
Cambodian government has found mahout but question arises of incidental expenses on trip in addition to food and lodging on ship. For example will need warm clothing in New York while awaiting return vessel. If Isthmian Line or Legation can take care such expenses mahout willing to go. Cambodian government taking care of his family during his absence. Advise urgently whether he should proceed.
Catlett
July 26, 1951
From American Legation, Saigon
To: U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Phnom Penh
Send mahout with passport fastest means. Cost transportation, clothing available here. Cambodian Embassy will assume responsibility New York.
Heath
July 27, 1951
Miss Thelma M. Jensen
American Legation, Saigon
Dear Thelma:
I am sorry that we were not able to send the mahout down by this morning’s plane because we had passport trouble. I’m also sorry about the original delay in finding a mahout, but the Cambodians didn’t find one until Thursday morning who was willing to go to the United States.
With best regards and hoping that you and I have heard the last of l’Affaire du Elephant.
Don V. Catlett
July 29, 1951
From American Legation, Saigon
To: American Consul General, Singapore
Cambodian elephant arriving Singapore 30 July for transshipment. Mahout who speaks only Cambodian arriving Singapore via Malayan Airways today.
Heath
August 21, 1951
U.S. Charge d’Affaires,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
His Excellency, Var Kamel
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Excellency:
I have the honor to refer to our telephone conversation of today and to give as follows the information regarding the transportation o
f the elephant which was sent as a gift to President Truman by His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk.
The elephant was embarked on the S.S. Surveyor at Singapore on August 5, 1951 to proceed to the United States via the Panama Canal. All arrangements have been made to receive the elephant and to transport it from New York to Washington. There is accordingly no necessity for a representative of the Cambodian Legation to be present, but there will undoubtedly be some publicity given the arrival of the elephant and a Cambodian representative might be useful in this connection.
Don V. Catlett
Sept. 8, 1951
From: American Legation, Saigon
To: U.S. Charge D’Affaires, Phnom Penh
State Department informed Cambodian elephant died aboard ship off Capetown, South Africa, Sept. 6. Burial at sea. Mahout will be returned Indochina from United States. Please inform Cambodian government. Formal regrets will be pouched.
Gullion
Sept. 8, 1951
From: U.S. Charge D’Affaires, Phnom Penh
To: State Department, Washington
Norodom Sihanouk Varman, King of Cambodia, expressed regrets today when he heard of the death of the elephant he was sending to President Truman. The young elephant died on board a ship on the way to New York.
“I regret very much that the gift did not reach President Truman,” the King said, and I shall have to offer another gift of value to the President, but one which is more transportable. I am thinking of offering him a statue from Angkor.”
Catlett
The elephant story won great plaudits from my editors. It was published in the New York Times with the text of the exchanges of cables as well as in other newspapers across the United States, in many instances with bold feature headlines and accompanying cartoons. It was a very funny story, but I came to regret it. Sihanouk complained to the White House about the publication of his cables. The State Department investigated the leak, singled out the Foreign Service officer who had given me access to the cables, and reprimanded him for a breach of security. I was appalled.
On the Front Lines of the Cold War Page 33
