751G.92/159: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, January
12, 1941—5 p.m.
[Received January 12—11:46 a.m.]
[Received January 12—11:46 a.m.]
55–57. Embassy’s 38, January 9, 9 p.m., and 40, Jan. 9, 11 p.m.
- 1.
- Henderson, First Secretary of the British Embassy, last evening told a member of my staff that in view of the urgency of the problem between Thailand and French Indochina, the apparent incapability of the French representative at Bangkok, and the influence and prestige of Monsieur Robin, now in Tokyo, with Vichy which might enable him to convince the French Government of the advisability of meeting the demands of Thailand, the British Embassy concluded that it was necessary to act promptly to persuade the French Ambassador to send Robin to Bangkok at once.
- 2.
- Accordingly, the British Military Attaché called on the French Military Attaché, Major Thiebaut, yesterday and after some conversation urged that Robin be sent immediately to Thailand to negotiate since British information indicated that the more moderate elements in the Thai Government would be willing to call a halt to the present hostilities should the French, through negotiations, cede two small strips of territory along the Mekong river. Thiebaut seemed impressed and agreed to talk to his Ambassador along similar lines but concealing the source of the suggestion because of the chariness of the French Ambassador toward anything coming from the British.
- 3.
- It was suggested that the British Ambassador prevail upon me to urge the French Ambassador to send Robin since they believed that I could exert considerable influence upon the latter. Subsequently Thiebaut informed the British Military Attaché by telephone that Arsène-Henry’s first reaction to the suggestion had not been unfavorable and it was proposed that Craigie ask me to approach Arsène-Henry “within a day or two.”
- 4.
- Henderson states that Craigie, who is away at the moment, has not been informed of his Military Attaché’s conversation, but that Craigie will probably call on me tomorrow to solicit my good offices in view of the fact that he is not on speaking terms with our French colleague.
- 5.
- I see no objection to discussing with my French colleague informally and as on my own initiative the general situation between Indochina and Thailand but I see great objection to any suggestion on my part that the French should cede territory to Thailand in the face of force. I am, furthermore, doubtful as to the propriety of my recommending specifically that Robin be sent to negotiate.
- 6.
- On the other hand I am of the opinion that the practical considerations so strongly urged by the British are not without merit and that without prejudice whatever to the principles involved it might be desirable for me to outline to my French colleague the dangers consequent to protracted hostilities. It should not be necessary to point out to him that, once the Japanese become masters of Thailand, Indochina would fall automatically into the hands of Japan. I should, of course, scrupulously refrain from making any recommendations and would confine my discussion to the importance of Thailand as a base of operations against Burma, Malaya and Singapore and of our interest in the matter. It occurs to me that Robin will hardly be in a position to negotiate in Tokyo a commercial agreement with the Japanese regarding French Indochina so long as the future of the colony is in jeopardy from Thailand and it therefore would probably be advisable for Robin to undertake to apprise himself of the actual situation in Indochina as well as of the probable future course of events before proceeding further with the present negotiations.
- 7.
- In this connection it would be helpful to me to learn whether the Department shares the views expressed in paragraph numbered 3 of Embassy’s 1264, Dec. 3, 4 p.m., 1940.25
- 8.
- Please instruct. The matter appears to be urgent.
Grew