741.92/12–1845: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Siam (Yost) to the Secretary of State
Bangkok, December 18, 1945—5 p.m.
[Received December 19—9:35 a.m.]
[Received December 19—9:35 a.m.]
79. Following reports received by Siamese Govt from Wiwat.
- 1.
- On December 15 Wiwat before receiving instructions to delay signature informed Dening Siamese Govt had decided to sign. He added (a) that Govt will have to explain to public that these are minimum terms not subject to further negotiation and (b) that terms requiring legislative action must await implementation until Assembly meeting in January.
- 2.
- British have made four new proposals re rice: (a) His Majesty’s Govt will sell Siam one to two hundred thousand ounces gold for sterling at official price 172 shillings three pence per ounce, (b) as temporary emergency measure and without prejudice to claim one and one half million tons free rice, HMG will buy rice for sterling until proposal (a) above is implemented, (c) should Siam not have one and one half million tons exportable surplus, HMG agrees to determination exact surplus by Rice Commission, (d) contribution rice may [Page 1402] include proportion broken rice to be determined by Rice Commission.
- 3.
- Following procedure for conclusion of agreement has been drawn up by Dening and Wiwat: (a) drafts of letters to be exchanged between them (which Siamese wish to contain points (a) and (b) under paragraph 1 above) being prepared by Dening and final text of terms of agreement expected from London at any moment, (b) Wiwat will come to Bangkok December 20 with texts, obtain approval and return to Singapore early next week, (c) letters will be exchanged and formal agreement signed immediately upon his return, (d) only formal agreement will be published.
- 4.
- Australian representative who is participating in negotiations has presented draft terms for terminating state of war with Australia. Terms provide for; conclusion of treaty between Siam and Australia before March 14, 1946 obliging Siam inter alia (a) to carry out such obligations specified in British agreement as Australia may require, (b) to compensate Australia for damages, (c) to undertake regional political, economic and security cooperation consistent with principles of UNO.
- 5.
- Clarac who has appeared in Singapore told Wiwat he had come to give last friendly warning that if Siam delays longer in responding to French invitation to reestablish normal relations French people would be led to draw the necessary conclusions”. Clarac pointed out that British and American Govts have made their views clearly known about restoration of provinces to Indochina.
AmPolAd Comment:
- 1.
- British would appear to have substantially met US views re rice though not perfectly clear from Wiwat report that levy would be limited to surplus determined by Bice Commission. Purpose of sale of gold not clear to Siamese or US but may be belief that strengthening Siamese currency by this means would assist steady flow of export rice.
- 2.
- If statement re Allied Claims Commission quoted in Deptel 46, December 1355 means Commission would have power to adjust total compensation to Siamese capacity to pay, British would appear to have met US on this point as well though this concession not yet communicated to Siamese.
- 3.
- If these two points definitely clarified, only security clause would remain in dispute between US and British.
- 4.
- Only open issues between British and Siamese are (1) whether letter from Dening should cover points (a) and (b) of first paragraph this telegram, (2) whether these points should be publicized, (3) possibility [Page 1403] of last minute introduction by British of French frontier question.
- 5.
- It would relieve growing strain on tempers of all concerned if these points could be cleared up in time to permit signature pf agreement next week.
Yost