740.0011 Pacific War/1004
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Minister of Thailand called at his request.
He said that he had not been able to hear from his Government during recent days and desired to get any information I had from our Minister in Thailand. I gave him the substance of two cables that had come in yesterday and today which showed that his Government’s forces had resisted Japanese attacks at various places on the land and sea frontiers on December eighth. I added that the Thai Government had ordered a cessation of firing five hours and thirty minutes after the attack and that negotiations were taking place, including terms of capitulation between Thai and Japanese representatives; and that the American Minister expects Japanese control of the Thai Government.
The Minister then proceeded to say that not many months ago his Government became satisfied of the dangerous character of the Japanese and that it has sought in every way to keep aloof from them; that the people of Thailand are inherently unfriendly toward the people of Japan and distrust them in most ways. The Minister said that what they have said and done in the way of contacts with Japan has been under duress and that, while there are some pro-Japanese in Thailand, and even in the Government of Thailand, the people are fundamentally sound in their opposition and in their conviction that they must always look to democratic governments like the United States for any freedom that they may be able to enjoy. The Minister said that we could count on this state of mind in his country no matter what may happen and that it would look to this country for aid at opportune times in the future to emancipate itself from Japanese military control. At the same time he said his people and he himself would watch every chance to be cooperative with us. I thanked him and reminded him that during recent months on account of our friendship for the people of Thailand and also our desire to safeguard that area against the establishment of a menace against the South Sea area by Japan, we have constantly warned Japan against occupying Thailand.