740.0011 Pacific War/3146

The Acting Secretary of State to President Roosevelt

My Dear Mr. President: In April and May of last year the Chinese Embassy here discussed with us the question of the issuance by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek of a statement in regard to Thailand. We made a few suggestions to the Embassy in regard to the proposed statement and also informed the Embassy that if General Chiang should issue the statement this Government would expect to take an informal occasion to make an appropriate supporting statement.

On February 26 there was broadcast a message from the Generalissimo to the “Soldiers and citizens of Thailand.” A copy of the text of the broadcast, as given in the February 27 issue of the Chinese News Service, is attached.27 On March 3 the Chinese Embassy [Page 24] here informally called to our attention the fact that the Generalissimo had made this statement.

In the light of the whole situation, it is believed that it would be generally helpful and that the Chinese Government would appreciate it if you could make a supporting statement at an early press conference. There is attached a draft statement28 which you might care to use. It is suggested that your comment be in response to an inquiry from a correspondent as to whether you have any observations to offer on the statement made by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to the Thai people.

Faithfully yours,

Sumner Welles
  1. Not printed.
  2. It read: “Proposed Statement—to be made orally and informally—not for quotation. The statement made by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to the soldiers and citizens of Thailand is in accord with the principles of the Atlantic Charter of August 14, 1941, and of the Declaration by United Nations of January 1, 1942—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.”