124.92/48
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Minister of Thailand called at his request. He proceeded to say that his Government and the Government of Japan had agreed to raise the rank of the diplomatic representation between their two countries from Minister to Ambassador, and requested this Government to do likewise. He then added that he would like for both my Government and Great Britain to take this step simultaneously with Japan.
I first handed him a written statement36 requesting an agrément for our proposed new Minister to Thailand, Mr. Willys R. Peck. I then said that that does not interfere with the consideration of his request, and that while I will give proper attention to the matter as a courtesy to him and to his Government, I should be frank to say that this Government will probably not be in a position to comply with the request of his Government in regard to raising the rank of our respective diplomatic representatives from Minister to Ambassador. I added that a number of small countries have made similar requests. The Minister seemed content and I concluded with the remark that I would let him know of the decision of this Government at a very early date.
- Not printed.↩