751G.92/203: Telegram
The Minister in Thailand (Grant) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:40 p.m.]
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It is reported from other reliable sources that the recent pressure on the Prime Minister has included the threat to supplant his Government [Page 42] with a distinct pro-Japanese cabinet. It is believed that the new Japanese Minister, Futami, who is a close friend of Matsuoka has played a large hand in the affair behind the scenes and that he has received very material assistance from a radical militaristic pro-Japanese group of Thailanders. It is believed that Futami will rank as an ambassador here soon. The British Minister has informed me that he has requested his government to retire him when this event takes place.
Japanese mediation of this controversy is the next logical step in Japan’s southward march. The two little pieces of territory in Indochina on the right bank of the Mekong will likely be given to Thailand. That will be the beginning of French disintegration. Subsequently the Japanese will move southward to take over the ports and the strategic coast country of southern Indo-China. Simultaneously the Thai forces aided by 125 Japanese planes and war material will be permitted to move far into Laos and Cambodian territories and Japan will dominate all ultimately including the Thailanders for Thailand will by that time be too far in the trap to extricate itself.