423. Telegram From the Embassy in the Philippines to the Department of State1
822. Eyes only for the Under Secretary. There is a matter which I foresee coming up in the near future on which I will need guidance. In view of its extreme sensitivity I am sure you will agree that it should be handled under the eyes only control.
I believe it almost inevitable [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] that sooner or later the question of the utilization by U.S. of these bases in the Philippines if the Phils are legally neutral will arise. In fact, this question has already been posed in local press in connection with the arrival of air reinforcements at Clark Field. The subject has not yet been raised with me by Garcia and Serrano in the talks I have been having with them concerning the Taiwan situation but has been informally mentioned by Phil officials in conversation with members Embassy staff.
As you know, our bases agreement and defense treaties with the Philippines are completely silent on this subject. My present instructions for possible future bases talks on this point, as set forth in Deptel 3370 (para 1c) referred to as still valid in Deptel 622,2 are in a completely different context and not adequate for present situation. In general they deny any obligation to consult with Philippines in regard to base utilization during wartime, although it is admitted that this is a difficult problem in light of our commitments to U.K. and other countries in which we have bases. However, I am instructed to stress that [Page 894] bases are purely defensive and “of course U.S. would consult with Philippines before use to extent time and circumstances permit.” [4 lines of source text not declassified]
[1 paragraph (17 lines of source text) not declassified]
I fully appreciate our desire to avoid any limitation on use of bases [1½ lines of source text not declassified]. However, I am sure you realize that the nature of reply we would give to any formal inquiry on this subject in the present situation would, assuming as we all hope that the present crisis can be safely tided over, have a very fundamental effect upon the Philippine attitude toward the continuance of our present base structure here. I accordingly would very much appreciate your views after consultation with other interested departments as to what answer I should make in event of such inquiry.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56396/9–458. Top Secret; Priority.↩
- Telegram 3370 is printed as Document 397. Telegram 622 to Manila has not been found in Department of State files. Apparently the reference is to telegram 621 to Manila, Document 421.↩