741.92/11–2745: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
10303. Dept informed that about Nov 20 Mountbatten recommended to Brit CS23 that strong military representation should be continued by Brit in Siam and that a Major General should be appointed head such military. Reasons given by SAC were:
- A.
- About 117,000 Japs in Siam must be guarded and returned to Japan ultimately.
- B.
- On the Burma–Siam Railroad are approximately 20,000 Malayan rubber estate and other laborers who must be evacuated through Bangkok.
- C.
- Adequate export Siamese rice must be assured. This point he stated could not be over-emphasized.
- D.
- Would aid in securing conclusion Siamese Agreement and in assuring its implementation.
Please discuss foregoing with FonOff indicating following views. Dept recognizes that question of guarding Japs is primarily military but feels that Siamese cooperation should, as a political decision, be availed of to maximum extent possible in accordance Allied military agreement. Dept considers:
- 1.
- Brit military are in Siam pursuant to Allied military agreement with Siam concluded early Sep for disarming Japs, repatriating POWs24 and internees, and securing Jap property, and are not there to force conclusion of Brit-Siamese Agreement.
- 2.
- POWs have all been repatriated, practically all Japs have been disarmed and concentrated in camps, and Dept understands Malayan APWI25 are to be shortly evacuated.
- 3.
- Neither under military agreement nor under proposed Brit-Siamese Agreement have Brit military any duties or responsibilities relating export Siamese rice. Brit and American Govts have agreed on principles governing export of Siamese rice under civilian auspices. [Page 1377] Unnecessary continuance of strong Brit military may on contrary create antagonism which will prevent wholehearted Siamese cooperation needed to assure maximum export.
- 4.
- Under specific Brit assurances to US as to application and intent of provisions of Heads of Agreement and Military Annex strong military representation will not be required following conclusion of Brit-Siamese Agreement and would appear contrary to principle involved in resumption Brit diplomatic relations and in promised friendly cooperation with Siam as an independent, sovereign nation.
Sent to London. Repeated to AmPolAd, Bangkok, for information.