892.01/9–544: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
8676. We have been giving further consideration to the question of Thailand and believe, subject to your concurrence, that you might now send to Eden a note, rather than a personal letter, reading in substance as follows: (Your A–1085, September 5).
The American Government appreciates greatly the spirit of Mr. Eden’s recent personal letter to Ambassador Winant on the subject of Thailand and his suggestion that he would welcome further consultation on this whole question with a view to seeking coordination of policy by the American and British Governments. While, as Mr. Eden suggests, our two Governments view the question of Thailand from somewhat different angles, we believe it desirable in the highest degree that our two Governments reach, if possible, a common policy toward Thailand.
The American Government has noted with the utmost satisfaction the statement in Mr. Eden’s letter: “Our two Governments have, I think, the same basic objects as regards Siam. We, like the United States, want to see the restoration of Siam after the war as a free, sovereign and independent State.…”
But it is apparent that there are several points which require mutual clarification before there can be that coordination of policy which both governments desire, and we believe that on these points and on any others which may arise, there should be as full and frank an exchange of views as possible.
We note that Mr. Eden felt that the American Government had asked the British Government to make a public declaration going beyond what the American Government was willing to do. We desire to assure the British Government that at no time did the American Government so intend. In discussing with the British Embassy the possibility of a British public statement on Thailand, it had been the hope of the American Government that the British Government would feel able to associate itself with the public statements already made by President Roosevelt and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek favoring a free, independent, and sovereign Thailand and expressly disclaiming territorial ambitions. In view of the feeling expressed by the British Government on July 31 that no useful purpose would be served by such a British statement at this time, this Government has not since pressed for any public declaration. On the contrary, it has sought only a confidential indication of British views respecting Thailand as a necessary step toward coordinating the policies of the two Governments and reaching a common understanding.
We note, also, a possible doubt in Mr. Eden’s mind as to the views of the American Government with regard to territories acquired by Thailand while under Japanese domination. We are glad of the opportunity to clarify this point. The American Government fully concurs with the views expressed by Mr. Eden with regard to such territories. We do not recognize the lawfulness of such acquisitions and agree that such territories must in fact be restored to [Page 1319] Indochina, Malaya and Burma from whom they were taken. This statement of course is without prejudice to the presentation of claims by any nation, including Thailand, for adjustments of boundaries or transfers of territories by orderly, peaceful processes.
Finally, we note that Mr. Eden’s statement favoring restoration of Thailand as a free, sovereign and independent state is, however, qualified by certain important reservations. Such restoration, he suggests should be conditioned upon Thailand’s “acceptance of such special arrangements for security or economic collaboration as may be judged necessary within an international system”. Mr. Eden further states “Some special strategic arrangements may also be necessary in the Kra Isthmus within the framework of an international security system”. It is not clear to the American Government precisely what is contemplated by these reservations. In furtherance of the desire of the two Governments to reach a common understanding and to coordinate their policies toward Thailand, the American Government would appreciate an indication from the British Government at an early date as to what it has in mind in connection with these reservations.