892.61317/12–1245: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Siam (Yost) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12—3:12 p.m.]
61. Prince Wiwat returned Bangkok today bringing minutes of meeting Singapore with Dening which we have seen.
Dening said Heads of Agreement not a “negotiable instrument”, that he was not prepared accept changes of substance but merely changes of form; Siam had declared war on Britain and merely act of grace on Britain’s part she did not impose peace terms; Siamese resistance movement had not been sufficiently trained to act effectively and therefore could not have made any contribution to Allied victory, action in making commitment to Assembly that rice gift would be granted only in exchange for British concessions on other points was incomprehensible and inacceptable; rice is not coming out of Siam in adequate quantities and if there is no improvement British will have to inform starving peoples of SEA their plight is due to Siamese procrastination; Siamese Govt is conducting public propaganda campaign to reduce British terms and if continued feelings of British people may be so aroused that terms will be hardened; Siam cannot be member United Nations until she comes to terms with Britain and France; no measures whatsoever to restore Siamese intercourse with outside world can take place until state of war with Britain is terminated; Heads of Agreement minimum terms UK is prepared to accept. Dening concluded by saying further discussion is useless and member of delegation should return to Bangkok to obtain immediately decision from Siamese Govt as to whether it will sign.
Wiwat then enumerated proposed Siamese amendments which were transmitted to Dept. He declared these amendments were of form only and designed merely to enable Siamese Govt to cope with difficult internal political situation. Dening rejected all Siamese amendments and replied in negative to Wiwat’s query whether HMG offered any explanation of rejection.
On French question Wiwat said his govt is prepared negotiate at any time in Bangkok with French representative. Dening said French did not wish send representative to Bangkok and he reserved right to include in Anglo-Siamese Agreement at any time up to moment of actual signing a provision for return to Indochina of disputed territories.
At end of meeting Dening gave Wiwat new text of Heads of Agreement which we have not yet seen but which according to Prince differs from Kandy text only in paragraph 15 and 16 of Military Annex. These paragraphs would appear modified in accordance US wishes.
[Page 1388]Wiwat must return Singapore Dec 15 and Siamese Govt must decide before then whether to sign.
Seni urgently requested US views. We felt unable do more than reiterate general lines US policy toward Siam, to emphasize our interest maintenance Siamese sovereignty and economy and to state that, according our latest word, discussion Heads of Agreement is still proceeding between Washington and London. We have not given any advice to Siamese as to whether they should sign.
Unless Dening is acting without instructions from London, it would appear British are rushing through conclusion of agreement without further reference our views. In light this fact we would recommend diplomatic relations with Siam be resumed immediately and both Siamese and British be informed that whether or not agreement is signed in present form we will continue resist any infringement Siamese sovereignty, any imposition undue burdens on her economy and any unilateral restrictions on her intercourse with rest of world.