Your telegram 337. Siam.

Siamese Ambassador [1] called on me on 24th October and stated he
had come 'on his own initiative' to let me know that Siamese
Government had presented an Aide-Memoire to Australian Consul
General in Siam suggesting a revision of Peace Agreement between
Siam and Australia. [2] He said that Agreement had practically
been fulfilled but that question of claims was a difficult one and
it was desirable in view of Siamese Government to settle claims by
a lump sum payment as soon as possible.

2. Ambassador suggested that as United Kingdom and India were also
involved it might be most convenient (although he had no
instructions on this point) for preliminary negotiations to be
carried on in London for a revision of Agreement. I said that I
had heard that Siamese Government was requesting revision but that
matter raised many difficult questions for Australia which would
have to be very carefully considered as there were many claimants
and considerable amounts involved. I told him that I would report
conversation to you.

3. Ambassador said that when he put proposal for revision to
Foreign Office he was told that matter would involve much
consideration by United Kingdom Departments and consultations with
Australia and India.

4. I think that Siamese realise that our attitude on revision will
probably be tougher than that of United Kingdom and that they
therefore think that it might assist to overcome our resistance if
conversations took place in London. [3]

5. Otherwise our conversation was very general dealing with
spoiling of crops this year, smuggling of rice, gratitude for
Australia's support for Siamese admission to United Nations,
importance of cultural relations between Siam and Australia (for
example education of Siamese students in Australia) and wish of
Siamese Minister for Foreign Affairs [4] that Dr. Evatt should
visit Bangkok on his way back to Australia.