811b.01/64
The Secretary of War ( Weeks ) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: Do you think it advisable to make a suggestion or to ask for a suggestion from foreign governments, particularly Great Britain, France and Holland, relative to any action we may take in giving independence or future independence to the Philippine Islands. Of course, the dependencies of those [Page 266] countries are watching our action with a great deal of interest because their people will naturally want about the same privileges as we will give the Filipinos, and it may add greatly to their troubles.
On the other hand, you may conclude that it is really no affair of theirs what we do, which is probably the case, but it seemed to me that I had better have an expression of opinion from you about the desirability of making a representation of that kind to them.
Sincerely yours,