751G.92/151: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 9—11:40 a.m.]
38–39. 1. With reference to reports that the Thais have recently invaded Indochina, my British colleague16 expresses concern lest this situation afford an opportunity and excuse for the Japanese to intervene, [Page 9] involving a serious threat to Malaya and Singapore. Craigie feels that a question of expediency is here presented in which the United States holds an interest on a par with that of Great Britain and he has recommended to his Government that an approach be made to Washington with a view to emphasizing to the Vichy Government the urgency of a peaceful settlement. The French Chargé d’Affaires in Bangkok is described as “hopeless” and Craigie suggests that either Monsieur Robin, former Governor General of Indochina, now conducting the commercial negotiations in Japan, might be sent promptly to effect a settlement or, failing that, that the French Ambassador17 here might negotiate with the Thai Minister in Tokyo.
Being without recent information on the subject I did not undertake to communicate to Washington Craigie’s recommendation to London.
2. My Hungarian colleague, who presumably has Axis contacts in Tokyo, told me yesterday, without revealing his source of information, of a report that the Japanese are contemplating a general invasion of Indochina in the latter part of February. This report has come from no other source and I consider it insufficiently definite to justify its acceptance without reserve.