Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

811B.001 Quezon, Manuel/172

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)

[Washington,] April 11, 1942.

Dr. Hornbeck: The President has informed me that he thinks it highly desirable for President Quezon under present conditions to remain in Australia with his Government. He feels that in Australia the Philippine Government in exile will be able to undertake effectively the kind of propaganda and intelligence work which the Governments of Norway and the Netherlands, et cetera, are able to undertake in London because of geographical proximity.

Under these circumstances these communications⁴⁸ should not be sent.

S[umner] W[elles]

48. Proposed letter to President Roosevelt and proposed telegram to be sent by President Roosevelt to General MacArthur, neither sent; they reflected the Department’s views that the presence in the United States of President Quezon, his family and Cabinet was desirable and recommended that, unless there were politico-military conditions that might cause General MacArthur and Mr. Quezon to feel it preferable for Mr. Quezon to remain in Australia, General MacArthur should make arrangements to have Mr. Quezon and his party brought to the United States.