741.92/9–645: Telegram
The Commissioner in India (Merrell) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 6—9:30 a.m.]
738. Following from Bishop:
“Mountbatten gave Thai 48 hours to sign sweeping economic agreement under guise of military arrangement. Thai have returned to [Page 1306] Bangkok and will radio SACSEA (Supreme Allied Commander Southeast Asia).
Agreement makes obvious British intention treat Thailand as enemy country to be occupied and controlled. OSS and War Department have details proposed agreement which does not conform to US policy.
If US cannot effectively oppose such harsh terms by Allied Commander, US prestige will be seriously impaired and US goodwill in Thailand sacrificed to the detriment of American overall policies toward Asiatics and the Pacific.
General Wheeler has officially asked Mountbatten for full information regarding Thai negotiations and has alerted US section at Kandy to forward information regarding all developments especially those contrary to US policy.
Message just received from Kandy states Mountbatten has informed British Chiefs of Staff that he expects Thai Regent to empower Thai representative to sign both parts of military agreement and that dependent upon receipt of Thai Regent’s authority to sign, SACSEA will proceed with signature both parts military agreement unless he receives advice to the contrary from British Chiefs of Staff before 0400 hours Greenwich mean time September 7.
War Department fully informed by Wheeler.[”]