741.92/12–2845
The British Embassy to the Department of State 68
Aide-Mémoire
His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom have kept the French Government informed of recent progress in their negotiations with the Siamese Government. The French Government suggested that when Mr. Dening and the Siamese Delegate exchange the letters which are to terminate the state of war existing between their Governments, they should also record in writing the non-recognition by His [Page 1412] Majesty’s Government of the acquisition by Siam of certain French territories in 1941. His Majesty’s Government have agreed that Mr. Dening should act accordingly and the texts of the letters which he will address to and receive from the Siamese Delegate on this subject follow.
(1) Your Serene Highness. With reference to the oral discussions which have been taking place at Kandy and Singapore between the Siamese Delegation headed by Your Serene Highness, and myself, I am instructed by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom to place on record their attitude regarding the acquisition of territories by the Siamese as a result of Japanese action or intervention.
His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom do not recognize the acquisition by the Siamese of any territories acquired later than December 11th, 1940. This non-recognition includes all territories purported to have been ceded by the Vichy Government on May 9th, 1941.
I am to invite Your Serene Highness to take note, on behalf of the Siamese Government, of the attitude of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.
(2) Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of . . . . . in which you inform me that you have been instructed regarding the acquisition of the territories by the Siamese as a result of Japanese action pr intervention.
You have further informed me that His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom do not recognise the acquisition by Siam of any territories acquired later than the 11th December, 1940, and that this non-recognition includes all the territories purported to have been ceded by the Vichy Government on 9th May, 1941.
I have been instructed by the Siamese Government to inform you that they have taken note of the attitude of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom in respect of the territories acquired by Siam later than the 11th December, 1940. I avail etc., etc.
- Handed by Mr. Everson to the Chief of the Division of Southeast Asian Affairs on December 29.↩