711.922/85
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck)
The Siamese Minister called and, after making some remarks regarding the interest with which he had observed the political campaign and the election, said that his Government had decided to give notice to all of the Siamese “treaty powers” of termination of existing treaties. Such notice was being given today to each of the governments concerned, and therefore he had called to give here the notification contained in his note of this date to the Secretary of State, which note he thereupon handed me.19
The Minister stated that his Government hoped to be able to negotiate at Bangkok a new treaty with the United States. I asked at what time would the Siamese Government like to have such negotiations held. The Minister replied that he had not been informed. He went on to say that he understood that a text of a proposed new treaty would be handed to our Chargé at Bangkok and that he, the Minister, [Page 999] hoped that his Government would send him a copy. I offered no comment except a remark that it ought to be not difficult to dispose of the question of jurisdictional privilege.
The Minister said that our Minister to Siam, Mr. Baker, had at one time expressed the view that he would like to return to Bangkok for treaty negotiations and that Mr. Baker had at another time expressed doubt whether the state of his health would permit him to return to Bangkok. The Minister said that perhaps Mr. Baker would still “change his mind”.
The Minister inquired whether Mr. Sayre was available, as he would like to call on him; and it was shortly arranged that the Minister call on Mr. Sayre at once.
Comment: It will probably be deemed desirable to make acknowledgement20 at an early date of the Siamese Minister’s note of November 5, 1936 (here attached).