740.0011 Pacific War/2430
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Roosevelt 72
There is attached for your consideration and approval the draft of a memorandum to the Chinese Embassy73 in reply to a request from the Chinese Government, through its Embassy here, for an expression of this Government’s views concerning a statement in regard to Thailand which it is proposed be issued at the “first opportune moment” by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The text of the Chinese Government’s proposed statement is quoted in our proposed reply.
In speaking of the “Allied Nations”, it is believed that the Generalissimo is merely giving his interpretation of the beliefs of the nations concerned and is not intending to speak formally for them or in their behalf. As, however, such use of the term might give rise to misunderstanding, we propose informing the Chinese Government that this Government, were it to have need of referring to the nations engaged in the common war effort, would use a slightly altered phraseology.
The reference in the proposed statement to acts of Thailand as having been committed under Japanese coercion appears to be somewhat at variance with the facts and with the propaganda directive heretofore followed by this Government and the British Government, namely, that, while expressing sympathy for Thai people it would be undesirable to stress too strongly that the Thai Government yielded to force majeure in signing a treaty of alliance with Japan. We propose calling this point to the attention of the Chinese Government.
It is suggested that, if the Generalissimo should issue the statement in question, you might care shortly thereafter to make a supporting statement at your press conference along lines somewhat as follows:
The statement made by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in regard to Thailand is in accord with the principles of the Atlantic Charter [Page 38] of August 14, 1941,74 and of the Declaration by United Nations of January 1, 194275—no aggrandizement, territorial or otherwise. The Government of the United States believes that the people of Thailand are opposed to the Japanese occupation of their country. The Government of the United States continues to recognize the Minister of Thailand to the United States.76
- Notation by President Roosevelt: “C.H. O.K. F.D.R.”↩
- Post, p. 39.↩
- Joint Declaration by President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Department of State Bulletin, August 16, 1941, p. 125.↩
- Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 236, or 55 Stat. 1600.↩
- Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj.↩