811B.001 Quezon, Manuel/168
The Chief of Staff (Marshall) to the Acting Secretary of
State
Washington, April 20, 1942.
Dear Mr. Secretary: The President has
approved the plans for the return of Mr. Quezon as outlined in the
attached paper. However, he directed that you be contacted reference
same.
[Page 905]
Your concurrence is requested.52
For the Chief of Staff:
Dwight
D. Eisenhower
,
Major
General, Assistant Chief of Staff
[Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of
Staff (Eisenhower)53
The Chief of Staff directs that the following message be sent by
the most expeditious means possible consistent with secrecy to
The President, Hyde Park, New York: WDWPD:54
The following secret radiogram has just been received from
General MacArthur:
“In view of changed military conditions in the
Philippines President Quezon now desires to accept the
invitation previously extended to him to remove the seat
of his Government to Washington. I therefore plan to
send him and his party secretly to the United States on
the SS Coolidge scheduled to
leave Melbourne April 21st. I have directed that his
transportation be without expense to him and that during
the voyage he will be regarded as under the auspices of
our Government. Due to his presence aboard, the ship is
being convoyed to limit of jurisdiction of this area.
Request that necessary orders be issued to insure convoy
for remainder of voyage. This is considered essential
not only for his actual protection but because of the
political repercussions which might follow if every
safety precaution were not taken. Request advice of
action.”
The invitation to which General MacArthur refers was communicated
to him on December 31, 1941, in the following language:
“Philippine Commissioner here55 and
Secretary Stimson in consultation with the President
feel that evacuation of Manuel Quezon from Luzon to
United States where he could carry on as head of
Philippine Government in exile and as the symbol of the
redemption of the Islands is highly desirable if it can
be accomplished.”
We desire to answer General MacArthur’s cablegram today because
of the early sailing date specified.
Admiral King states that the Naval escort requested by General
[Page 906] MacArthur can be
provided. I am delaying reply to General MacArthur pending your
confirmation of plan.
McNarney56
Dwight D.
Eisenhower
,
Major
General
