Office of the Historian

892.6363/153

The Netherland Legation to the Department of State 4

undated

Thailand seems to have small supplies of gasoline for motorcars, Diesel oil, petroleum, and fuel oil. It is to be expected that within a short time restrictions will have to be imposed which may cause the closing down of certain industries. There seems to be a 9 months’ stock of gasoline for airplanes, but of low octane.

An arrangement could be made between the oil companies of the Netherlands East Indies and the Thai Government by which quantities would be exported restricted to the minimum of consumption necessary. These quantities would be fixed under a monthly contract.5

  1. Handed on May 12 to the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck) by the Netherland Minister Counselor (Van Boetzelaer).↩
  2. In a memorandum of May 13, Willys R. Peck, of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs, stated that at the request of the Chief of the Division (Hamilton) he telephoned on May 13 to Baron van Boetzelaer the following message: “The State Department sees no reason for an offering by the American Government of any suggestion or advice against the proposed arrangement.”↩