Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume V

751G.92/237: Telegram

The Minister in Thailand (Grant) to the Secretary of State

Bangkok, February 5, 1941—5 p.m.
[Received February 6—5:30 p.m.]

66. My telegram No. 61 [62], February 3, 4 p.m.⁷⁹ The British Minister informed me today that he had followed up his verbal message to the Prime Minister with a note in which he expressed British opposition to any military alliance between Thailand and Japan; to the establishment of any Japanese military or air bases in Thailand; and to any agreement between Thailand and Japan providing for an economic rapprochement with Japan.

The British Minister expressed the opinion that the inclusion in the Thailandese delegation to Tokyo of Naivanich Panananda, Director General of the Department of Commerce, who is known to be very pro-Japanese, is indicative of the possibility of an agreement between Thailand and Japan at Tokyo to provide for far reaching economic concessions to Japan.

Sent to Cavite for repetition to the Department and to Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.

Grant

79. Not printed.