Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

124.921/230: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State

Bern, August 10, 1942.
[Received August 10—5:11 p.m.]

3688. American interests—Thailand. Department’s 1764, July 13. Legation’s 3368, July 22.⁵⁴ Swiss Consulate, Bangkok, transmits following English text note dated August 5 from Thai Foreign Office:

“Reference Consulate’s note, July 20, 1942, concerning taking over for military purposes premises formerly used as American Legation, has honor state following:

1. According to authorities on international law (e. g.: C. C. Hyde: International Law Chiefly [as] Interpreted and Applied by United States; E. Satow: A Guide to Diplomatic Practice; P. Fauchille: Traité de droit International Public) inviolability attaches to house of diplomatic representative for reasons which establish independence and inviolability of person of diplomatic representative.

2. Thai Government fully respected such inviolability.

3. After departure of diplomatic representative and staff, however, situation is different and is not without precedent that foreign public property used in normal times as Embassy or Legation premises has in time of war or rupture of diplomatic relations been seized or put under sequestration.”

Harrison

54. See footnote 53, above.