751G.92/59: Telegram
The Minister in Thailand (Grant) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11—6:13 p.m.]
115. The French Minister informed me today in the strictest confidence that the Prime Minister whom he saw yesterday informed him that the German Minister19 had approached him yesterday with the suggestion that Thailand should continue the agitation with Vichy for the return of the frontier territory west of the river Mekong and had indicated Germany would see to it that Thailand’s request for this territory is granted ultimately. There was an implication, the Prime Minister confided to the French Minister, that Germany would expect Thailand to join the Axis in return for the favor.
The French Minister said also that the Thai Government within a few days would make another request of Vichy for the return of the frontier territory and that the communication, which will be uncompromising, will contain details of the alleged justice of the Thai claim which is designed for world consumption.
- Wilhelm Thomas.↩