811B.48/2–745
The Secretary of War (Stimson) to the Acting Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Grew: I am in receipt of your letter 26 January 1945 concerning Philippine relief.
Please be assured that an adequate program for the relief of the civilian population of the Philippines was planned some time prior to the commencement of operations there and is being carried out at the present time. This program was carefully developed by the War Department with representatives of the Commonwealth Government, who gave their full approval. The Department of State has been kept informed of the discussions with the Commonwealth Government and furnished copies of the program.54
General MacArthur55 has called for and there have been shipped from this country substantial quantities of supplies for the areas which have thus far been liberated and which are now being or are expected to be uncovered including Manila and the surrounding area. These shipments commenced within a few days of the initial landing at Leyte.56 Additional supplies were procured by General MacArthur in Australia and were available from Army stocks and stockpiles. It must be appreciated, however, that under operational conditions, particularly at the commencement of a military invasion, it is not always possible to land civilian relief supplies or distribute them with the promptness and in quantities which may be desirable. The problem embraces not only the availability of shipping space, which you recognize as an important consideration, but also limited port, unloading and inland transportation facilities.
As you know, General MacArthur is a great friend of the Philippine people and very much concerned with their welfare. I am certain that he is doing his utmost to provide them with the much needed relief supplies to the greatest extent possible without prejudicing the accomplishment of his military objective. Operational necessities must, of course, be given top priority if the military mission of liberating the Islands is to succeed.
I can quite appreciate President Osmeña’s concern for his people, a concern which is shared by General MacArthur, myself, the other members of this Department and the Armed Forces who are charged with responsibility in the matter. We shall continue to do everything possible to relieve the suffering and hardships of the Philippine people and furnish them with their requirements of essential supplies [Page 1214] as rapidly as can be done, consistent with operational requirements.
I believe that President Osmeña will find that when the military operation becomes more stabilized, after the initial stages of the invasion, civilian relief supplies will be forthcoming with greater regularity and in quantities adequate to meet the necessities of the situation.
A copy of this letter is being sent to Mr. Crowley of the Foreign Economic Administration. His agency also has been kept informed of War Department programming of civilian relief for the Philippines.
Sincerely yours,