740.0011 European War 1939/16775
President Roosevelt to the President of the Philippine Commonwealth (Quezon)
My Dear President Quezon: It is with much pleasure and gratification that I have read your letter of October 18, 1941, assuring me of the wholehearted loyalty and support of the Philippine Government and people in whatever the immediate future may hold in store for the Philippines and the United States.
In times such as these it is particularly gratifying to learn of the cordial manner in which you, General MacArthur and Admiral Hart are collaborating in making preparations for the defense of the Philippines.
It is my earnest hope that the contingency for which preparations are being made will never arise. However, in the light of recent history it would be worse than criminal not to be fully prepared for all eventualities, and I wish you to know that your expressions of loyalty and support and the manifestations of cooperation shown by your government and people are highly gratifying and helpful to me and to the American people in these times of uncertainty and danger.
Very sincerely yours,