Office of the Historian

741.92/9–2545: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)

Washington, September 25, 1945—1 p.m.

8416. Yost, US political adviser General Wheeler, SEAC, was informed by Dening at Kandy Sep 24 that Dening was to present revised Text of Heads of Agreement with Military Annex to Siamese delegation that afternoon, planning to give Siamese 24 hours to study draft and then telegraph any objections to London for approval or disapproval. Yost requested delay in concluding agreement until reconciliation current Anglo-American discussions but Dening stated instructions forbade delay. Yost pointed out US interested in all final settlements arising out of war and especially interested Siam as only independent nation SEA, and added that as Brit had informed Siamese that Brit had transmitted text of Agreement to US, if US remains silent Siamese will assume that US approves agreement.

Dept promptly on Sep 24 informed Brit Embassy of foregoing and expressed urgent hope that FonOff would immediately instruct Dening to delay conclusion of agreement. In view of Brit informing Siamese that US had been furnished text of agreement, Yost has been authorized to inform Siamese of US views if Dening proceeds to immediate conclusion of agreement in present form.67 Brit Embassy so informed.68

Please discuss with FonOff urging need for delay and deprecating unilateral action during Anglo-American consultations in one of final settlements from war in which US played major role. Views apparently nearly reconciled and US considers Anglo-American unity important. US has scrupulously refrained unilateral action relating Siam or embarrassment of Brit and anticipates reciprocal treatment.

Acheson
  1. The Department message was sent to the OSS on September 24 for transmittal to Mr. Yost and was transmitted by the OSS as No. 1024, September 25.↩
  2. See infra.↩