Evening star., 1941-09-25
TkaiIund Stands Firm

TkaiIond Stands Firm
One of the more significant aspects
of the Far Eastern situation is the
stiffening attitude of Thailand to-
ward Japanese pressure Until re-
Gently, everything seemed to portend
that this strategic buffer state, lying
/ between French Indo-China and
Britain'S possessions in Burma and
Malaga, was drifting passively into
the japanese orbit. Relations be-
tween the two countries had been
close for years. When Toxic en-
/ couraged Thailand to attack the
/ French in Indo-China last winter
and then arranged a treaty settle
ment which satisfied Thai territorial
claims, an Intimate understanding
between Toxic and Bangkok was pre-
sumed to exist Certainly, Thailand
was deeply indebted to Japan for its
good offices, and japanese SpokeSmen
loudly claimed that one more coun-
try had virtually entered Tokio's
"cO-proSperity sphere"
Tokio's first effort to cash in on it's
favOrs was to get Thailand to join
the yen bloc" In that case, Japan
could obtain much-needed natural
: resources, such as rice, rubber and
tin, by paying for them in japanese
currency. The need for this became
| still more pressing after American
and British freezing of Japanese
assets, followed by similar action by
/ the Netherlands Indies, made pay
ment for japanese purchases in
/ those countries impossible in terms
of dollars, sterling. and guilders.
Thailand thereby became the sole
! alternative.
The Thai government, however,
refused to join the yen bloc. 1t
likewise refused japanese requests
for credits in bahtS THAI currency
without security, insisting that all
credits extended Japan should be on
the basis of gold deliveries to Bang
kok. Diplomatic pressure became
intense, and Toxic is reported to
have threatened unpleasant conse-
quences. But Bangkok stood firm,
and Toxic agreed to do business on
Thai terms.
Thailand's growing firmness is as
pronounced in the political as it is in
the economic sphere. Despite the
presence of large Japanese troop
concentrations on the Indo-China
border, Thai garriSonS have been
strengthened and the whole frontier
zone put in a condition of defense.
Talk of granting air and naval bases
to Japan, current in Bangkok some
months ago, has died away. Indeed,
American and British observers re-
port a revulSiOn of Thai public opin-
ion which has transformed former
pro-JapaneSe sentiment into active
popular dislike. Japan'S occupation
of Indo-China and its increasingly
high-handed methods there SEEM
lngly have sunk deep into the con-
sciousneSS of the Thai people, who
are Jealous of their independence
and proud of their national accom-
pliShmentS. 1t should not be for
gotten that the That's share with the
Japanese the distinction of having
voluntarily modernized themselves,
thus preserving their nationhood
against foreign encroachmentS.
The chief threat to Thai national
life came from Indo-China when the
French established themselves there
during the past century and at
tempted to expand over Thailand as
well. This expansion was checked
chiefly by British diplomacy, which
saw in Thailand an invaluable buffer
state against French designs in
Southeastern Asia. Now the threat
from IndoChina has risen again,
this time under a Japanese guise.
And once more Britain stands in the
role of protector for Thailand. The
British government has stated Off
cially that it has a special interest
in Thai independence, and its ex-
panded ornaments in Burma and
Malaga show that its aid would be
efficaciouS. Furthermore, behind
Britain stands the United States. All
this undoubtedly has encouraged
the Thai government to stand firm
against japanese encroachmentS,
realizing that it did not stand alone
and friendless in the face of Japa-
nese imperialism. Of course, Toxic
still may drive onward, regardless of
obstacles. But its path to empire is
not SO smooth as it seemed to be
earlier this year.
Soldiers stationed out in California
have become archery enthusiasts and
w D a uyorHorc bouo boor, ~ q lyiy,o