No. 1147

FROM: Bangkok                                                                                  November 10, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           # 788.

(Secret.)

Recently rumors are rampant throughout the country that the Japanese Army is about to begin a campaign in Burma. Newspapers, printed in Thaiese, English, as well as Chinese languages, are publishing sensational reports on the subject and creating considerable uneasiness among the officials as well as the peoples of Thailand and Chungking. The whole affair gives one the impression that the people are being made to dance to the tune of appeals radiocasted by anti-Japanese countries, especially Great Britain and the United States, and to that of systematic propaganda carried on here. There are not a few reports dealing with the failure of the Japanese-American negotiations; the increasing tenseness on the part of the United States; and the possibility of the European war spreading into the Pacific; and Japanese activities in French Indo-China. All this is instilling in them. Taking together the reactions of both Government officials and the people toward this, we have the following:

We find that there are various causes for this. Among these are the stagnation of the Japanese-American negotiations since the latter period of the third Konoye Cabinet; anxiety over wholesale purchase by Japan of Thaiese materials; American and British policies toward Thailand, and the uncertainty of Japan's policy toward the southern Pacific area. The feelings

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THE "MAGIC" BACKGROUND OF PEARL HARBOR

of the Thaiese people in general have changed from friendliness to aloofness and are now changing from aloofness to opposition. Since the formation of the TOJO Cabinet, more propaganda and speculations have been circulated and as a result there has been a worsening of Thaiese feeling toward Japan. More recently they have come even to believe that Japanese invasion of Thailand is almost certain. There are now those who loudly proclaim that a Japanese-Thaiese war is inevitable and that the Thaiese should fight to the very end against the Japanese invaders. Furthermore, the Autonomy Society, which is one of the secret societies in the country, has been distributing hand bills exposing Japanese plans for invading Thailand and has been sending its members out for a door-to-door canvass asking the people, "Who should Thailand depend on in case it becomes no longer possible for her to maintain her neutrality?" They are trying to get the people interested in a plebiscite and In the meantime, although the Thaiese Government has been endeavoring to maintain an attitude of calm by expressing its determination to follow the policy of neutrality, it has been feeling an increasing fear of what Japan might do.

According to what a of Thaiese newspapermen had recently told me, the following activities have characterized recent action on the part of the Thaiese Government.

A secret order has been issued forbidding the printing of articles and editorials concerning:

(1) Speculations concerning the situation in the South Seas.

(2) Sounding out the intentions of the new Japanese Cabinet.

(3) Commenting on Japanese, American, British and Soviet views on Thailand.

A Government organization has issued secret instructions ordering Thaiese employees of Japanese residents to observe and report the action of persons who contact Japanese residents and who frequent the homes of Japanese residents.

In the extraordinary session of the Parliament now being held, PIBUL's faction is showing a tendency to acquire greater dictatorial power in order to cope with the emergency.

The chief of police has issued a secret order to all of the police officers to reward those who have exposed foreign espionage organizations.

A bill is being drafted for recruiting 100,000 Thaiese volunteers.

Of course, to say that all this activity is anti-Japanese in nature is to jump at conclusions. However, it is true that the country is gradually getting on a war basis under the pressure of circumstances abroad and is becoming concerned over (her ability ?) to maintain neutrality.

Trans. 11-14-41

No. 1148

FROM: Tokyo                                                                                     November 11, 1941

TO: Bangkok                                                                                       # 745.

(Secret.)

There has been a request from the Army department to have Army communications experts sent as non-career clerks under the Foreign Office as follows:Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire

Two to Bangkok and one each to Singora and Chiengmai.

An exception is being made in this case and we are sending the men subject to the same conditions that applied to Secretary Shimizu and others. Please see my (?).

This has been approved and notice of the appointment has been issued as of the 11th to the various offices concerned and the men are scheduled to leave by air on the 13th. We are arranging for their visas with the Thailand Government. Their names, destinations and status are as follows. Upon their arrival please instruct them in their duties, particularly the use of the machines and caution them strictly regarding not letting anything leak out to the outside.

To Bangkok: Kameo Okudaira (Communications Clerk 3rd grade-however this will not be announced. The following the same).

To Singora: Toshio Sukai (the same, 5th grade).

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To Chiengmai: Jitaro Taniguchi (2nd grade) .

To Bangkok: Hideo Yuhi (An Army employee) .

Furthermore the machines will be sent in seven wooden boxes (5 large and 2 medium size) as official baggage from the head office to the Embassy there. One box will be sent along by aeroplane on the 13th. Please arrange to receive it as though it had no connection with these men.

Trans. 11-13-41

No. 1149

FROM: Tokyo (WOTNS) (Head, General Affairs Section)                  November 10, 1941

TO: Bangkok (RIKUGUN)                                                                  # 924.

On 8 November (check 8-11) the revised setup of the communications network for Army use in Siam was sent by air .

If there needs to be any practical change -2G- we would like to have you go ahead with the preparations.

DoD Comment: Note date of translation.

Trans. 1-30-45

No. 1150

FROM: Bangkok                                                                                  November 12, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           # 794.

(Strictly Secret.)

Intelligence Report.

On the 3rd of October, DUFF-COOPER, accompanied by the British Ambassador returning here, flew to Bangkok from Singapore. Premier PIBUL secretly went to see him at the airport, and COOPER said, "Japan is likely to invade your country, soLouis J. Sheehan, Esquire

( 1) You should have nothing to do with her;

(2) You ought to close avenues through which American and other raw materials go to Japan;

(3) You ought to drive out the Japanese."

PIBUL, it is understood, said that he would consider these things, and if invaded by Japan Thai would resist vigorously and would cooperate with the British forces; however, Great Britain should not, under any circumstances, militarily occupy any Thaiese territory before a Japanese invasion. In conclusion, he told COOPER that in any case he would not be taken in by Japan and not to worry.

Trans. 11-14-41

No. 1151

FROM: Bangkok                                                                                  November 12, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           # 774.

On the 10th, CHURCHILL made a speech in which he boasted that he was ready to fight Japan. Lately the Thaiese officials and people have been growing nervous, and this statement has given them the impression that Great Britain is very strong. I would say that there is quite a danger that as a result they may turn against us. Therefore, the Imperial Government ought to answer CHURCHILL strongly. You will remember that the British Prime Minister

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THE "MAGIC" BACKGROUND OF PEARL HARBOR

said that Great Britain had such a large navy that she could now spare some ships from the Pacific. Well, what do you think of my telling the Thaiese officials that this is merely a pump-priming trick to get an American fleet concentrated at Singapore and is obviously to be taken as a confession of England's impotence in defending her own interests in the Orient. What do you think of my telling them that coolheaded politicians of third countries are not surprised by such statements as this which really amount to nothing.

Trans. 11-14-41

No. 1152

FROM: Tokyo (Togo)                                                                          November 12 1941

TO: Bangkok                                                                                       # 746.

Re my # 728 [a]. Sending 3,200 yen.

[a] See IV, 1133.

Trans. 11-19-41

No. 1153

FROM: Tokyo                                                                                     November 13, 1941

TO: Bangkok                                                                                       # 753.

Re your # 771 [a].

As result of consideration by Department of Agriculture and Forestry it is decided to proceed along lines of your suggestion. But the matter of the contract for purchase of additional 50,000 tons as per last part of your message will be dealt with after Shiba's arrival at his post.

[a] See IV, 1132.

Trans. 11-18-41

No. 1154

FROM: Bangkok (Tubokami)                                                              November 14, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           # 801.

Re your # 736 [a].

It is now the rainy season, and the market is extremely poorly supplied with rubber. Foreign companies have recently been making such vast purchases that Japanese companies have been finding it hard to keep pace. Under the present circumstances, I doubt if we could even get a thousand tons per month. I am still doing my best to secure it at one baht, 10 satann, which is the price set by the Guild, but it has already become just about impossible to purchase at that figure. I am watching the situation very carefully, and it may be that we will have to purchase rubber regardless of the price. Will you please see that the Guild fully understands this situation.

[a] See IV, 1144.

Trans. 11-19-41

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No. 1155

FROM: Bangkok (Tubokami)                                                              November 15, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           #805.

The plans for the establishment of the jointly managed shipping company are proceeding along the lines you have suggested, and the situation is accordingly encouraging. Please wire your views on the following points which have been raised by the authorities here:

1. The stockholders and the directors who also own preferred stock will not use Japanese -----  -----  personal names but 55% of the stock will, by fixed policy, be held by Japanese. 5,000 shares to the nominal president TIEN.

2. The board of directors, of seven men, shall include two Thais. The remaining five ----- shall be selected so that the Japanese can work harmoniously in this partnership. Further , the Japanese directors shall receive salaries as such -----  -----  -----  -----  ----- charged with auditing (under Thai company law the directorate has full right over auditing of funds) to the members present at the stockholders' general meeting and meetings of the directors.

4. Although Japanese ships will be purchased after the company is established and conditions are suitable, for the time being ships of neutral registry will have to be used on a charter basis. [a] 

[a] Paragraph 3 not given in the original.

Trans. 11-28-41

No. 1156

FROM: Tokyo                                                                                     November 17, 1941

TO: Bangkok                                                                                       # 761.

(Abstract.)

For the time being do not take any action regarding the Thai government's recent refusal to permit participation of foreign nationals in jointly managed enterprises.

Trans. 11-24-41

No. 1157

FROM: Tokyo                                                                                     November 17, 1941

TO: Bangkok                                                                                       # 763.

Tokyo to Shanghai # 1159.

In view of the critical international situation, it is essential that 1600 tons of rubber be imported from Thailand by the middle of December. However, according to a report from Thailand, it appears that Chinese and British interests are buying up the rubber and Japan is experiencing difficulty in purchasing the scheduled amount.

It is reported that the ESSO, which sailed from Bangkok, November 10th (said to be of Panama registry), had 1400 tons of rubber for Shanghai. Inasmuch as we also are interested in purchasing this rubber, please investigate as to who the purchasers are and wire immediately.

Trans. 11-25-41