740.00119 PW/8–1845
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Ballantine) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Dunn)14
The British have “advised” the Thai Regent that he should disavow the declaration of war; renounce all agreements with Japan; repeal all laws prejudicial to the Allies; place his country and its armed forces at the service of the Allies; pledge compensation for damage done by Thailand to the Allies; and send a representative to Kandy to get in touch with the Allies.
Thailand has taken, in substance, all these steps, except to send a representative to Kandy. The Regent has empowered the Thai Minister in Washington to negotiate with the Allies. Clearly, however, a representative must be sent by the Regent to Kandy to deal on military matters and ad hoc arrangements.
Bishop has informed the Department that confusion has arisen because the “advice” sent to Ruth implied that longer-range political discussions should also be discussed by the Regent’s representative at Kandy. Mr. Bishop pointed out that the atmosphere at Kandy would [Page 1283] be adverse to the Thai, and, more important, Kandy is the headquarters of an Allied Command, and it would be embarrassing to the United States for representatives of that command to negotiate longer-range political policies with the Thai, although entirely appropriate to discuss all military and immediate ad hoc problems.
It is recommended, if you approve, that an officer of the Department discuss the situation with an officer of the British Embassy and suggest orally that we consider that immediate military and ad hoc relations with the Thai Government must be considered by the Southeast Asia Command, but that it would seem to us inappropriate if longer-range political discussions (such as termination of the state of war) between the British Government and Thailand were carried on by that command or in such manner as to give color to the view that the Command, as such, was concerned therewith; that we have received information that the Regent is confused on this point in as much as he has already empowered the Thai Minister in Washington to initiate formal negotiations with the Allied Governments; and that it would seem helpful if the British Government would advise the Regent that he should immediately send to Kandy a representative to discuss military questions and ad hoc arrangements with the Supreme Allied Command and that he will be informed through the Thai Minister in Washington what procedure the British Government desire to follow in discussing longer-range political questions.
At the same time, it is recommended that the Department officer express to the officer of the British Embassy this Government’s appreciation for the assurance given that before negotiations are begun the British will communicate with the Department regarding terms on which they would be prepared to terminate the state of war with Thailand.
- Notation by Mr. Dunn on August 18: “I concur”.↩