(2) Foreign Minister Togo's Statement, December 21, 1941
Japan and Thailand have for many years been bound to each other in bonds of traditional friendship as nations of the Oriental race. To strengthen further these bonds of close friendship, the Treaty of Amity and Friendship was concluded between the two countries in June of last year. Then at the beginning of this year, the border dispute between Thailand and French Indo-China was peacefully settled through the mediation by Japan, as the result of which Thailand succeeded in recovering her lost territories which had been her long-standing aspiration. At the same time the Protocol concerning political understanding between Japan and Thailand was concluded, resulting in further increase in the warmth of their mutual cordiality.
On the other hand, Thailand has for many years been made an object of political intrigue and economic exploitation by Great Britain, in whose fetters she groaned. The present Thai Prime Minister, Luang Pibul Songgram, has long advocated autonomy in dealing with state affairs of Thailand. In order to realize the purpose through co-operation with Japan, a friendly Power in East Asia, he has exerted his efforts to promote and solidify the amicable relations between Japan and Thailand.
When Japan commenced war against the United States and the British Empire on December 8, our Government, with a view to repelling British invasion of Thailand, instructed Ambassador Tsubokami to negotiate with Prime Minister Pibul Songgram to obtain Thailand's assent to the passage of Japanese forces through the latter's territory. The Prime Minister, perceiving the general trend of affairs, agreed to Japan's proposal and an
understanding with regard thereto was reached on the same day. Since then, in order to adjust the Japanese-Thai relations to the new situation as well as to accelerate the promotion of the close friendship between the two countries, Ambassador Tsubokami proceeded with the negotiations with Prime Minister Pibul Songgram. Through the courageous decision of the Prime Minister, an agreement of views concerning the conclusion of an offensive alliance between Japan and Thailand was reached on December 11. Subsequently, a draft treaty was decided upon, and following the completion of internal procedures, the Pact of Alliance between Japan and Thailand was signed between Ambassador Tsubokami and Prime Minister and concurrently Foreign Minister Pibul Songgram at 10 a.m. (noon, according to Japan Time) on the 21st of this month in a grand chapel of the Royal Palace in Bangkok.
The Alliance Pact, which is epoch-making in the history of Greater East Asia, has thus come into being. Thailand has, at a time when the war against the United States and the British Empire, which will determine the destiny of East Asia for centuries to come is being prosecuted, expressed clearly and concretely her determination to prosecute the present war in co-operation with Japan until victory is won. This is indeed a matter for profound felicitation for the sake of the establishment of a new world order as well as the rise of East Asia.