892.24/86: Telegram
The Minister in Thailand (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 14—3:40 p.m.]
518. Department’s 145, November 11, 1 p.m. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has urgently requested of me that steps be taken to enable the Ministry of Defense to purchase from some American firm 87–octane aviation gasoline to the extent of 10,000 drums of 200 liters each and octane 73 gasoline to the amount of between 2 and 3,000 drums as well as 1,000 drums of aviation lubricating oil for high power engines according to Wright’s specification 5817–A. Apparently these amounts would comprise suitable cargo for shipment from [apparent omission] by the Thai Government’s tanker. The Air Force estimates its consumption of aviation gasoline at 1,000 tons monthly in peace time and 1,200 tons on war basis with lubricants at 5 percent of above.
With the concurrence of the Military and Naval Attachés, I recommend that, if these supplies can be purchased by the Thai Government in Singapore, it be permitted to buy 1 month’s supply of high and low octane gasoline and the specified lubricating oil each month and if shipped from the United States that one shipment be permitted of 3 months’ supply in accordance with the estimate. The Attaches think the Air Force estimate is liberal but not unreasonable in view of the necessity of preparation for hostilities. I may add that the Minister for Foreign Affairs has assured me that in the event of war with Japan what gasoline could not be protected from falling into Japanese hands would certainly be destroyed by the Air Force.