851G.014/8–2245
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the
Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Vincent)
[Washington,] October 4,
1945.
Mr. Lacoste called this morning at 11 o’clock at my request. I handed
him our note of October 1 in regard to Siam and communicated to him
the views expressed in the attached memorandum.
Mr. Lacoste expressed appreciation of the considerate manner in which
we had communicated our views but went on to say that these views
would probably cause some perturbation in the French Foreign Office.
He said that the Foreign Office would naturally assume that there
had been conversations between us and the Siamese with regard to
what the Siamese wanted in the way of territorial concessions and
that the French Foreign Office would be hesitant to give the
assurances we had suggested regarding the re-examination of the
Indochinese-Siamese
[Page 1350]
border without knowing in advance just what the scope of the
discussions might be. I told him that there had been no discussion
whatsoever between us and the Siamese with regard to the scope or
character of their territorial claims.
[Annex]
Memorandum Prepared in the Department of
State88
Recommended Oral Communication to be made89 to the French
Ambassador when handed note regarding the Indochinese
territories acquired in 1941 by Siam.
In connection with our deep concern, referred to in the note, for
the early reestablishment of peace, stability and tranquility in
southeastern Asia, this Government would like to suggest that in
its view It would be most helpful to all the nations concerned
with that area if the French Government would give serious
consideration to offering voluntarily to the Siamese,
immediately following their agreement to restore the Indochinese
territories which they acquired in 1941, some public assurance
that opportunity would be afforded at an early date for a
reexamination of the Indochinese border; and that such
reexamination, having in view the possible elimination of
potential sources of future unrest or international discontent,
would consider the question of making possible changes in the
border by orderly and peaceful procedures on their practical
merits and with due regard to the opinions and attitudes of the
peoples concerned in the border areas.
This suggestion on our part is not made in any spirit of
criticism of the legal border between Indochina and Siam as to
the appropriateness or desirability of which this Government had
no knowledge, nor is it offered in advocacy or support of
Siamese claims to territory lawfully within Indochina. It is
offered solely in the belief that such a voluntary assurance by
the French Government immediately following Siamese agreement to
restore the Indochinese territories which they acquired in 1941
would contribute materially to the early re-establishment of
peace, stability and tranquility in southeastern Asia; would
redound greatly to the credit of the French Government in world
public opinion; and would strengthen the prestige of all western
powers among the peoples of the Far East.
