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I spoke to Mr. Hull this morning on the lines
of the attached aide-memoire, which I left with him. The
Australian Minister accompanied me.
Mr. Hull began by saying that he thought there
was some difference of view between His fciajesty's Government
and the United States Government on this matter. The
United States Government were disposed to feel that Germany
had such a stranglehold on France that it was difficult to
do much about Indo-Chlna, and that in the same way Japan had
her claws so deeply into Thailand as to make it doubtful
whether that position could be restored.
Both Casey and I told him that we did not think
there was necessarily any difference of view between the
two Governments in this matter.     We fully recognised how
deeply Japanese claws were stuck into Thailand, but the
interests involved were so vital that it seemed essential
to make every effort to hold the situation.     These efforts
might or might not succeed, but we should never forgive
ourselves if we didn't make them.
Mr. Hull became more sympathetic to the ideas
outlined in F.O. telegram 2101 of April 18th, and concluded
by saying that he would certainly consider our proposals in
the light of the several aide-memoires we had furnished,and
the United States Government would certainly do their best
to take any action that they deemed useful.
It was, however, still evident that he thought the
position had perhaps gone too far, and he said that he
anticipated that we should shortly see the announcement of
some military, economic and political partnership between
Japan and Thailand.
I