Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

796.5 MSP/6–1154: Telegram

No. 366
The Chargé in the Philippines (Lacy) to the Department of State

secret

Manila, June 11, 1954—10 a.m.

2816. Deptel 3193.¹ Having given careful consideration proposals embodied reference telegram, Embassy military attaché and military liaison, suggest following conclusions for Department’s consideration:

(1) Department suggests organization should be primarily military. Embassy agrees provided it be understood Philippines place great emphasis provision article three treaty which characterizes members council representatives Foreign Ministers.

(2) Department suggests council should meet Manila. Embassy agrees subject considerations offered elsewhere this message.

(3) Head American element in staff should be drawn from JUSMAG. Embassy considers it axiomatic Philippines will never be happy with no more than that which they already have. This perhaps place emphasize again purpose convening council was to provide window dressing convincing to Philippines which would assist Magsaysay his domestic difficulties. (Embtels 2665,² 2721³)

Secretary Defense and Magsaysay agreed establish council in circumstances which have led Philippines expect council be composed high level representatives on both sides. General Cannon held in highest regard by Philippine officials from President on down but to make General Cannon as JUSMAG head American element offers Philippines nothing they do not now have. Recto and company will respond such composition with charge other countries (and they will be identified by name) have been accorded top level consideration Washington while Philippines has been put in “boy scout league”. These charges will be effective. All this not to say in any case General Cannon and staff should not provide substance American element. Cannon and his people beyond peradventure proper selection that task. We are concerned in this particular only with effect on Philippine psychology and Philippine political scene.

(4) Department proposes COMNAVPHIL and 13th Air Force should participate. Embassy heartily agrees. We should bear in mind, however, COMNAVPHIL also COMNAVCOM [COMPHILCOM?] and may with reason consider himself primus inter pares.

(5) Department proposes Embassy should be represented council by DCM. Here again we suggest Philippines will never be satisfied with mere number two in US Embassy whoever he may be. If chief American element high ranking officer not presently part Philippine scene, DCM might do. If distinguished American not now in Philippines dispatched from Washington to head American element, Embassy number two would suffice what Filipinos expect is high level treatment analogous that accorded Australia and New Zealand.

In view forgoing, I urge Department discuss these matters with General Cannon before instructing Embassy to undertake any discussions with Philippine Government. In Embassy’s opinion revelation general nature proposals embodied Deptel 3193 would be productive very unhappy results here.

I should like to emphasize yet again that Embassy fully agrees that US could not and should not establish council which involves US in greater commitments than those already made in consonance with treaty; that purpose convening council is to contribute to improvement Philippine psychological climate and correlatively to provide Magsaysay, Laurel and new coalition with effective answer to criticisms Recto and others; this in Embassy’s opinion requires no more from us than provision convincing form (window dressing) without reference to substance.

(a) Let us take full advantage of presence in Washington Vargas and Cabal as well as highest level American military and political figures including Secretary, Admiral Radford,⁴ to prepare initial circumstances requisite to our purposes here. Embassy suggests that suitable publicity with photographs be given to high level conversations between those identified together with Foreign Minister Garcia (who Guerrero tells me proposes to return to Philippines via US) and perhaps Cabahug, who has been appointed by Magsaysay as his representative for that purpose. Garcia’s arrival US could, of course, be accelerated. Vargas’ inclusion in Presidential luncheon, as reported by press, very helpful this regard.

(b) Following proper preparation in Washington designed to show that Philippines had discussed matters of moment with highest political and military figures US Government, let US appoint American of distinction preferably military, to head US element council to meet in Manila.

(c) After initial meeting in Manila, distinguished American might return to Washington for indefinite period explaining in communiqué that essential decisions had been reached and that staff work would continue with Cannon, Goodwin, Sessums on the one hand and Vargas, Cabal, et cetera on the other.

In Embassy’s view such courses of action, tedious but inexpensive for US, will satisfy Philippine amour-propre and will provide Magsaysay physical evidence American willingness to validate treaty in the manner Recto denies.⁵

Lacy

1. Dated June 8; the points made in telegram 3193 are summarized in the numbered paragraphs of this telegram. (796.5 MSP/6–854)
2. Document 364.
3. In telegram 2721, June 1, the Embassy strongly urged that, in order to bolster Philippine prestige, consideration be given to including the Philippines in the five-power talks in Washington or establishing the joint U.S.-Philippine Defense Council. (790.5/6–154)
4. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

5. 0n June 15, the Department of State issued the following press release: “Secretary Dulles and Carlos P. Romulo, personal representative of President Magsaysay of the Philippines, agreed on June 15 to establish a Council consisting of the Secretary of State or his deputy to provide facilities for discussions of matters of mutual concern arising under the United States-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. Each member of the Council will be assisted by military representatives. Either party may request meetings whenever there is a need for consultation. The time and place of such meetings will be determined by mutual agreement.

   “Lt. Gen. Jesus Vargas, Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff, who is presently in Washington conferring with representatives of the U.S. Department of Defense, participated in the discussions held on June 15 between Ambassador Romulo and the Secretary of State.” (Department of State Bulletin, June 28, 1954, p. 973)