Office of the Historian

741.92/12–3145: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Political Adviser in Siam (Yost)

Washington, December 31, 1945—4 p.m.

92. 1. Brit-Siamese exchange of letters, signing of Agreement and publication of Agreement to take place 1600 Singapore time Jan. 1. Dept has stressed to Brit Embassy importance in its view simultaneous publication Military Annex because of Allied character and danger reaction to secret clauses.

2. No information yet received regarding Brit plans resumption diplomatic relations. Please wire immediately date you recommend. Dept would prefer concurrent action with Brit but subject to contrary recommendation by you, Dept believes resumption should be not later than Jan 5. Because of danger delay communications you are authorized in your discretion, unless you receive other instructions, to reopen Legation and present letter as Chargé on Jan 5 regardless of Brit action, or sooner and concurrently with Brit if Brit resume relations sooner.69 Be certain to telegraph advance information as to your decision under this authorization so that simultaneous action and announcement can be made in Washington. Please keep in close touch with Bird. Dept informing Brit Embassy of foregoing authorization.

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3. Sent to AmPolAd, Bangkok. Repeated to London and Chungking for information.70

Byrnes
  1. In telegram 7, January 4, 1946, 10 a.m., the Department requested Mr. Yost to reopen the Legation and assume charge the following day (124.92/1–346). In telegram 14 bis, January 5, 1946, Mr. Yost advised that he and Mr. Bird had presented their credentials at 10 and 11 o’clock, respectively, that morning and that he had assumed the functions of Chargé d’Affaires as of January 5 (123, Yost, Charles W./1–546). The same day the Department issued a press release on the resumption of diplomatic relations with Siam which stated: “We look forward to even closer friendship in the future and to the early admission of Siam to membership in the United Nations Organization”; for full text, see Department of State Bulletin, January 6 and 13, 1946, p. 5. In telegram 18, January 10, 1946, 1 p.m., the Department requested Bangkok to inform the Siamese Government that “this Govt considers the treaties and agreements in force between the US and Siam on Dec 7, 1941 continue in full force and effect” and furnished a proposed statement to be issued simultaneously by the United States and Siamese Governments (711.92/1–1046). After agreement by the Siamese Government (telegram 56, January 21, 1946, from Bangkok (711.92/1–2146), the Department released the statement on January 24, Department of State Bulletin, February 3, 1946, p. 178.↩
  2. The substance of this telegram was telephoned to the British Embassy on December 31 by the Chief of the Division of Southeast Asian Affairs.↩