751G.92/198
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The British Chargé d’Affaires called and handed me an aide-mémoire (copy attached42) relating to the controversy between Thailand and French Indochina. He then referred orally to the fact that he had some days ago given Mr. Welles43 some data on this and related subjects. He also added that the British Minister at Bangkok had informed him and his Government that the Government of Thailand was pleased with the conversation I had with the Thai Minister some days ago44 relative to the controversy between Thailand and Indochina and the probability that Japan would swallow up both countries in due course. I replied that the Chargé’s statement would be given very full and careful consideration; that I was not sure whether this Government would be able to do anything more in the matter than what it was now doing; that Japan probably is directing and controlling the course and attitude of Thailand toward the Indochina situation and that in these circumstances it may be very difficult to get the ear of the Thai Government.