751G.92/150: Telegram
The Minister in Thailand (Grant) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 9—3 a.m.]
14. Although it would appear that the Thai military leaders are determined to follow through with their program for the acquisition of territory in Indochina to the extent of waging war and anything we might do at this juncture, with the possible exception of going to war ourselves with the back stage ally, Japan, would likely be of no avail from a practical standpoint, in order that there may be no mistake in the minds of the Thai and for the sake of keeping the record absolutely straight I am strongly of the opinion that we should make another statement immediately reiterating our policy and warning Thailand against the probable results of her policy of military aggression. Based on my observations here I fear that our silence on the question during the past few weeks has given the Thai the impression that we are not [interested?] in the matter and that as far as we are concerned now they may go ahead.
I believe a statement should be made with specific reference to the present territorial controversy and that either the President or the Secretary should make it direct to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and such statement should be released to the press by the Department. Reference is made to the Legation’s telegram No. 133, October 19, 1940, 11 p.m.15