DEMANDS ON SIAM

Evening Star, Issue 25672, 21 December 1945, Page 5

DEMANDS ON SIAM

RICE AS REPARATIONS AMERICA RAISES OBJECTIONS WASHINGTON, December 20. Britain demanded between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 tons, of rice as reparations from Siam. This demand and Siam’s role in the South-east Asia security system remain the only differences between the British and American Governments, says the ‘ New York Times ’ correspondent. The United States originally adopted the attitude that the rice demand was an improper form of reparations and unprecedented in any negotiations with defeated countries in this war. The British, however, persisted in asserting that the Malayan and Burmese peoples were, desperately short of rice, ana Siam should make a “gift” in restitution for the wrongs done.

The United States is at present attempting to scale down the quantity demanded to at most 800,000 tons. The British regard the British-American dispute over the security system as involving nothing but language, but the State Department considers the difference is one of substance. Also the United States felt that the proposal as originally drafted would make Siam a virtual military protectorate of Britain, but the (British assured Washington that such was neither their intention nor desire.

The United States is still objecting to the British demands on Siam, and hopes the British will, by the dictates of courtesy, sign no agreement with Siam until the current exchanges with the United States are concluded, said .the Assistant Secretary of State, MiDean Acheson, at a Press conference. “ We think we have a definite interest in this matter,” he continued, “ arising partly from the fact that the United States played a role in the Pacific war which might modestly be described as prominent. This country js entitled to have its views patiently considered. Moreover, there is great sympathy in the United States with Siam’s effort to develop an independent democratic country.

“ There have been several occasions on which the British apparently nearly reached au agreement with the Siamese, but each time Washington reminded London of its hope that no final action would be taken until the British-Ameri-can discussions were concluded. United States officials think and hope that no final agreement has yet been signed, but the situation is not as clear as 1 could wish.”