741.92/12–1545: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Siam (Yost) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15—9:03 a.m.]
68. Immediately upon receipt this morning of Deptel 49, December 13, I saw Seni and Pradit who at once despatched instructions through SSU to Wiwat to delay signing for few days. It is not yet certain Wiwat, who returned to Singapore yesterday, may not have signed before receiving new instructions but not considered likely he had had time to do so.52
Seni and Pradit (who has been named Senior Statesman by Royal proclamation and is still the controlling hand in Govt) took action on own responsibility without risking delay involved in calling Cabinet. Seni expressed some anxiety that this further delay by Siam might result in hardening rather than softening of British terms since some Cabinet members maintain present terms are harsher than original 21 demands. We recommend strongly that in order to relieve Siamese of onus Dept inform British that on this occasion Siamese are delaying pursuant to US recommendation.
Both Pradit and Seni expressed deepest appreciation of Depths action which came when they were in depths of despair. Both also most grateful for recent San Francisco broadcast on US policy toward Siam. Both inquired, however, what action US will be prepared to take if British remain intransigent and continue to insist on acceptance [Page 1399] of terms as they stand. Does Dept wish at this stage to make any reply to this inquiry? Siamese obviously fear possibility that we may be unable to make our support effective and they be left holding the bag.
- In telegram 74, December 17, 3 p.m., the Political Adviser in Siam reported that new instructions had been delivered to Prince Wiwat in time to delay signing the agreement (741.92/12–1745).↩