811b.01/64
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War ( Weeks )
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have received your letter of May seventh asking whether I 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. While I fully realize that our action in this matter may be of considerable interest to the Powers, I do not think that we should invite any suggestions from them as to what we should do with our own possessions. It seems to me that any action inviting a suggestion from the other Powers on this subject would easily give rise to misapprehensions and would involve us in needless difficulties.
Faithfully yours,