811B.50/40
The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the House Committee on Insular Affairs (Bell)
My Dear Mr. Bell: I have received your letter of November 9, 1943,20 enclosing a copy of H. J. Res. 184, introduced by you on November 4, 1943, relative to the policy of the Congress with respect to the independence of the Philippine Islands.
It is noted that Section 3 of the resolution authorizes the President of the United States, after consultation with the President of the Philippines, to advance the date of the independence of the Philippine Islands by proclaiming their independence as a separate and self-governing nation prior to July 4, 1946.21 The Department of State views with sympathy this provision of the resolution.
It is noted that Section 2 of the resolution relates solely to the acquirement and retention of military bases and necessary appurtenances thereto. In as much as the provisions of this section are of primary concern to the military authorities, it is assumed that you will wish to obtain the views of those authorities on the provisions under reference.
The Department has been informed by the Bureau of the Budget22 that there would be no objection to the submission of this report to your Committee.
Sincerely yours,