 On 18 October , he made the token gesture of formally dismissing Diệm . The following day , he denounced " the police methods " of Diệm 's " dictatorship " and warned the Vietnamese populace " against a regime that was bound to lead them to ruin , famine , and war " . Bảo Đại accused Diệm of trying to foment conflict between the French and the Americans . On the eve of the poll , Bảo Đại stated " I can even tell you that I know the percentage of favourable votes that Mr. Diem has decided to obtain . " 
