892.014/8–1946
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Southeast Asian Affairs (Moffat)
In the course of conversation Prince Wan Waithayakon stated that he had informed Lacoste that Siam was ready to negotiate a treaty which would declare invalid the 1941 convention and provide for the [Page 1067] transfer of Battambang Province from Indochina to Siam. He said that Lacoste appeared very pleased with regard to the first proposal, twice requesting assurance that Siam would recognize the invalidity of the 1941 treaty; that with regard to the proposal that Siam receive Battambang Lacoste had stated that that exceeded any instructions which he had. Prince Wan stated his impression that Lacoste was pleased by the whole proposal and was now awaiting instructions thereon from Paris.
I remarked that I had understood the French position all along to be that they were unwilling to make any territorial transfers to Siam. Prince Wan agreed that had been their position, but indicated that he was very hopeful that his present proposal would be accepted.