892.014/1–1146: Telegram

The Chargé in Siam ( Yost ) to the Secretary of State

secret

32. Remytel 23, January 9. During Dening’s17 present visit to Bangkok, British have exerted strong pressure on Siamese to commence at once negotiations on Indochina question. British hope matter can be settled amicably between Siam and France without reference to UNO. They propose negotiations in two stages.

Stage 1, French and Siamese representatives would meet immediately in Singapore where (1) Siamese would restore territories to France and (2) France would announce willingness to negotiate permanent settlement of question. British admit present caretaker Cabinet in Siam could [go] no further than this.

Stage 2, after formation new Siamese Cabinet negotiations would continue with view to dividing disputed territories, Siam to receive strip in northwest of Mekong and France to receive all disputed territories in south. British consider this just settlement on grounds that: 1, Mekong is natural frontier in north; and 2, Cambodia should not be split in two. Dening is proceeding to Saigon to put these proposals up to French. Bird18 hopes both British and US will put necessary pressure on France and Siam to secure their acceptance. He feels bilateral agreement will be more acceptable to two parties and more permanent than settlement imposed by UNO.

Siamese have agreed to send representatives to Singapore and are reconciled to repudiating acquisition of territories. They still cling [Page 984] however to reference of matter to UNO and to administration of territories by neutral commission pending final settlement. While they are likely to abandon second of these proposals, it seems to us improbable that any Siamese Govt will risk great unpopularity which would result from apparently voluntary renunciation of largest and richest part of disputed territories. British plan seems to us worth trying but we are not sanguine of its success. It seems likely that only decision of some international body would save Siamese Govt’s face and reconcile people to loss of territories.

While negotiations in Singapore may commence within few days if French are willing, no definite reaction should be expected before formation of new Siamese Cabinet.

Yost
  1. Maberly E. Dening, Chief Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Southeast Asia.
  2. Hugh R. Bird, British Chargé in Siam.