Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII

892.014/7–2546: Telegram

The Minister in Siam (Stanton) to the Secretary of State

secret

Bangkok, July 25, 1946—noon.
[Received July 26—3:27 p.m.]

864. Deptels 572, July 11, and mytel 813, July 16.³⁸

1. Have been pressing Department’s views regarding retrocession or issuing statement on this point. Had long conversation yesterday with Prince Wan. He intimated after lengthy discussions it has been virtually agreed that statement regarding retrocession is advisable. They have not decided however whether to incorporate statement in brief of case to be presented to Security Council or whether to make oral statement before Council. They are debating which procedure would result minimum publicity which worries them exceedingly.

2. Do not believe Siamesie would want matter referred to International Court (Deptel 5523 to London, repeated to Bangkok as 601, July 19) because Court would probably consider only legal aspects of dispute and not political and other factors involved (British Minister and I feel Siamese want Council ruling on retrocession and opportunity work out agreement with French via personal contact at Council meeting. We feel this best hope of solution and that reference to Court would protract dispute indefinitely and perhaps dangerously in view of tension along border and sporadic firing from both sides.)

3. Delegation expects leave July 31 via ATC. Would appreciate Department expediting authorization requested mytel 842, July 22³⁹ and facilitating on-flight from Manila without delay.

Stanton

38. Latter not printed, but see footnote 20, p. 1032.
39. Not printed; it listed as the personnel of the Siamese Delegation to the United Nations Prince Wan Waithayakon, Khuang Aphaiwong, Visutr Arthayukti, Prince Supha Swasti, and Dithakar Bhakdi and requested the Department to arrange ATC authorization to transport the Delegation to the United States (501.BC/7–2246). Prince Wan and Khuang Aphaiwong were Chief and Deputy Chief of the Delegation, respectively; Visutr Arthayukti was Director-General of the Eastern Political Affairs Section of the Siamese Foreign Office, and Prince Supha was Minister at Large.