751.92/5–2846: Telegram
The Siamese Prime Minister (Pridi) to President Truman68
I have the honor to communicate the following. On May 24th, 25th, 26th French troops crossed the Mekong River and forcibly seized Siamese territory which they continue to hold. These attacks must be considered concerted action against Siamese sovereignty and the preservation of peace. Against this unjustified aggression Siam is steadfastly and patiently adhering to its policy of non-resistance. The population in the attacked and adjacent areas are abandoning their homes and rice fields at a time when my government are striving to the utmost to fulfil their obligation to produce and deliver the maximum quantity of rice to the famine stricken areas. The dislocation and the disturbance of my people for which French aggression is solely responsible compromises in the most serious manner the efforts of my country to assist in feeding the famine stricken areas. In the interests of peace and on behalf of the starving peoples of this area I appeal for your sympathy, your assistance and cooperation in reestablishing a peaceful basis for the achievement of the humanitarian objects which Your Excellency as well as I have so close at heart.
I avail myself [etc.]
- Copies of this communication were sent also to British Prime Minister Clement R. Attlee; Generalissimo Iosif Vissarionovich Stalin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union; Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, President of the National Government of the Republic of China; the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and other prominent persons.↩