Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The British Commonwealth, The Far East, Volume VI

740.00119 PW/9–645: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commissioner in India (Merrell)

Washington, September 6, 1945—noon.

673. For Bishop. Re Dept message via OSS Aug. 18;³⁹ reurtel New Delhi 728, Sep 3.⁴⁰ 1. As stated orally to Brit Dept would have preferred Brit political negotiations separate from negotiations military agreement and not at Kandy. Issue does not, however, seem sufficiently important to press further.

2. It is Dept view that as military agreement is of Allied character it would be desirable for US military to participate in military talks following directives and guidance sent Wheeler by War.

3. Report received from OSS that SACSEA on Sep 4 presented military agreement to Thai military mission with requirement that they reply by Sep 7. Agreement as reported omits some paragraphs of agreement as communicated to Dept Aug 20, but includes some provisions to which US objects.

4. Brit Chiefs of Staff recommended Sep 4 a CCS telegram to Mountbatten giving text of a proposed interim agreement between SACSEA and Thai High Command. First paragraph would require release Allied POWs and care and transportation at Thai expense. Second paragraph would require cooperation in disarming Japanese, interning enemies, and delivering Japanese military property. Third paragraph would require Thai to make available to Allies their military forces and facilities and land and buildings required for accommodation of stores and troops. Fourth and last paragraph would require Thai to comply with any other requests by SACSEA which he considers necessary to protect military interests of Allies.

5. Dept understands that JCS considering suggestions that third paragraph be limited to Allied requirements in connection with matters covered by first and second paragraphs, and that fourth paragraph be deleted and a new paragraph inserted stating that no military agreement other than the interim agreement should be concluded with Thai pending CCS directive and that any military agreement which may have been concluded should be suspended and subject to change in accordance with directive of CCS.

6. Sent to New Delhi for Bishop. Repeated to Colombo for Bishop.

Acheson

39. Not found in Department files.
40. Not printed; it stated in part: “Rapidly developing situation may not await reaching US-British agreement in Washington. If Department desires any steps be taken by American officers here to assure, if possible, that Anglo-Thai agreements especially military conform to United States thought as expressed by Department, recommend that War be requested to send immediately to Wheeler directives and guidance. Does Department desire United States officer take part military talks?” (740.00119 PW/9–345). Lt. Gen. Raymond A. Wheeler was Commanding General of United States Army Forces in the India–Burma Theater and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of the Southeast Asia Command.