892.01/12–1343
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)
Reference FE’s memorandum of December 97 in record of a conversation with the Thai Minister and other representatives of the Free Thai movement:
On December 10 Sir George Sansom8 called on me at his request and informed me that the British Foreign Office had asked that he discuss with us the question of attitude to be taken regarding Thailand—especially regarding the question of the Free Thai movement and dealings with representatives thereof. Sir George said that reports received by the Foreign Office indicate that various Thai nationals are in contact with Chinese authorities at Chungking, and with American authorities in China and with British authorities in New Delhi. The Foreign Office is apprehensive, Sir George said, lest, in the absence of a formulation and a coordination of British and American official views, there develop a crossing of wires and, through diversity of contacts, a creation of commitments or implied or inferable commitments to various Thai nationals or groups which might lead to confusion, misunderstandings and possible embarrassments.
I stated to Sir George that we also have had some misgivings with regard to some of the implications and possibilities of the present carrying on of relationships with Thai nationals by various authorities whose practices and objectives are not identical. I said that the Department has endeavored to make clear to other agencies of this Government the need to exercise caution and proceed with circumspection in dealing with Thai nationals or groups. I pointed out that, whereas Thailand and Great Britain have declared war on one another, the United States, although Thailand declared war on us, has not declared war on Thailand; that we have chosen to regard Thailand—or the Free Thai movement—as being represented in this country by the Thai Minister in Washington; and that we thus have recognized a Free Thai movement but are not committed as regards a Thai Government.
Sir George and I were of one mind regarding the desirability of discussion between the British Government and this Government with a view to avoiding crossing of wires by the two Governments or by agencies of either of them.
In the light of what appears in FE’s memorandum under reference, and of FE’s further memorandum of December 11, I feel that it would be desirable for FE to make forthwith the study of which mention is [Page 1121] made in the latter of these two memoranda, and that further discussion of the subject with Sir George Sansom at an early date would be appropriate and might be helpful.