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

792.94/79

The British Embassy to the Department of State ⁹⁸

undated

Thailand

His Majesty’s Government have entirely reliable information to the effect that during January the Japanese Minister at Bangkok submitted to the Thai Prime Minister a proposal whereby Thailand should assist Japan in setting up an independent Burma and in establishing joint Thai-Japanese condominium over Malaya. As a reward for her cooperation Thailand would recover sovereignty over the State of Kedoh which she transferred to Great Britain in 1909 and would receive Penang. At the same time, Burma would cede Tavoy and Mer-gui which Thailand possessed for a time in the 17th century. In return for these advantages, Thailand would afford active assistance to Japan in an attack on Malaya and Burma, or alternatively would acquiesce in the use of Thai territory by Japanese forces. The date fixed for the Japanese attack was to be before the beginning of April and the end of March was mentioned.

On February 3rd, before the above mentioned news was known to him, His Majesty’s Minister at Bangkok addressed a personal letter to the Thai Prime Minister, in which he warned him very strongly against allowing the Thai Government’s independence to be compromised or British interests to be harmed as a result of the peace negotiations proceeding in Tokyo. In particular Sir J. Crosby warned the Prime Minister against the conclusion of a military agreement with Japan, against allowing her to occupy bases and against making economic concessions to her to the detriment of Great Britain. On February 7th a reply was received from the Thai Prime Minister containing assurance of respect for existing treaties between Thailand and Great Britain.

On January 31st the Thai Prime Minister notified Sir J. Crosby that Japanese warships would patrol the waters of Thailand and of Indo China so long as Japan continued to act as mediator in the territorial dispute. The object was to prevent clashes between the Thai and French fleets, and it was Japan who had made the suggestion. The Thai Government had felt unable to refuse. Sir J. Crosby sent back a message to say that the position was most undignified for Thailand which had now given away another piece of her independence. It is reported that one Japanese destroyer has been at Paknam at the mouth of the Bangkok River since January 28th, and it has since been stated that six Japanese warships, including an aircraft carrier, are at present in the Gulf of Thailand.⁹⁹

98. Handed on February 10 to the Secretary of State by the British Ambassador.
99. In his telegram No. 263, February 19, 2 p.m., Ambassador Grew reported to the Department that the British Ambassador (Craigie) had shown him in confidence a detailed report in which Lord Halifax described his conversation regarding this memorandum, with the Secretary of State and with President Roosevelt on February 8 (792.94/82).