892.014/5–3046: Telegram
The Chargé in Siam (Yost) to the Secretary of State
immediate
[Received June5—2 a.m.]
577. Thompson returned today after visiting Nongkhai, Vientiane and Thabor. French authorities at Vientiane admit raids on Siamese territory approximately as reported my previous telegrams but justify them as essential to check raids on French territory by Laotians and Annamites based in Siam. Siamese Governor at Nongkhai admits that raids have taken place from Siamese side and even that unauthorized Siamese participated in one such raid. Governor states he is doing his best to disarm and control Indochinese refugees but, as there are 14,000 in his area and forces at his disposal are very meagre, it is obvious he is unable to do so effectively. He has, however, directed all local authorities to take every possible step to prevent any crossing of Mekong from Siamese side. French Commissaire Vientiane wrote Siamese Governor May 26 stating that if raids from Siam are not checked he will take further armed retaliatory action. He informed Thompson, however, that he would wait 8 days (presumably from May 29) before doing so.…
General Brunskill, who has just returned from Saigon, reports French authorities ascribe incidents to unauthorized acts of local commanders. Leclerc,74 however, has denied in press statement that any incidents have occurred and Brunskill does not have impression that Leclerc, in contrast to French civil authorities, is particularly interested in checking his officers. French proposed Anglo-Franco-Siamese commission to proceed to scene of incidents and deal with situation. British Minister has informed London that, if such a commission is created, it should have (a) US representation and (b) considerable Allied forces at its disposal. Since he does not believe it desirable that Allied forces be sent to area, he has recommended that commission not be formed.
Bangkok press continues to publish stories forecasting imminent French attack and reporting massing of French forces on border and evacuation of Siamese frontier towns. Neither of these last reports is borne out by Thompson’s observations.
As Department will note, incidents around Nongkhai follow pattern of incidents at Nakorn Phanom. Similar incidents are certain to recur until overall understanding is reached between French and Siamese. We continue to recommend as best means to this end views listed in penultimate paragraph my telegram 554, May 26. British Minister fully concurs and has so recommended to London. If UNO [Page 1009] is to consider case it would be preferable that it consider whole question at issue rather than relatively minor incidents and furthermore that the disputed territories be returned before the question is adjudicated.
- Maj. Gen. Jacques-Philippe Leclerc, Commander-in-Chief, French Forces in the Far East.↩