892.014/7–2446: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 25—10 a.m.]
3631. French-Siamese dispute has been discussed with Ashley Clarke, British Chargé d’Affaires, and Baudet of French Foreign Office. Clarke yesterday informed Baudet that British Government feels there is no reason why International Court should take year or [Page 1040] more to reach decision, that statutes of Court provide for interim measures pending decision and Court would presumably immediately provide for interim administration of disputed area.
British Government would be glad to cooperate in interim administration with condition that such cooperation should be limited to assignment of few officials who would have no administrative or executive duties but full powers to observe and investigate local administration.
Baudet’s comments today on British suggestions were as follows: French experts with experience on former Hague Court feel one year is minimum for decision on Siamese question with considerably longer period required if (as French apparently anticipate) dilatory tactics are adopted by Siamese. Consequently French feel they cannot depend on International Court providing for satisfactory interim administration and must therefore insist that preliminary agreement be reached with Siamese for interim administration. British ideas re collaboration in interim administration are apparently satisfactory to French.
Baudet further indicated French are not prepared to negotiate directly with Siamese delegation in Washington until preliminary agreement in principle has been obtained from Siamese through good offices of US Government re (1) terms of reference to Court and (2) provisions for interim administration of disputed area. After such preliminary agreement in principle has been reached, French will be willing to negotiate directly with Siamese re details.
Baudet confirmed that once agreement had been reached and dispute had been submitted to International Court, normal relations with Siam could be immediately resumed. Furthermore, Baudet specifically stated France would offer no objection to Siam joining UNO and in fact felt admission to UNO would add to prestige of Siamese Government and assist it in obtaining public acceptance of decision of International Court (which French of course expect to be in their favor). (Deptel 3607, July 2336)
Baudet indicated that while French would prefer that Siamese approach to Security Council be withdrawn, they would not insist on this since if preliminary agreement had been reached to submit matter to International Court, Security Council could handle dispute without discussion under provisions of Article 36. (Deptel 3556, July 1937)
Both Ashley Clarke and Baudet feel French proposals for submission [Page 1041] of dispute to International Court offer prompt method of avoiding possible difficulties in Security Council and of placing French-Siamese relations on normal basis. They expressed hope Dept would support idea and cooperate in discussions with Siamese.
Sent to Dept as 3631, repeated to London as 557.