Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The British Commonwealth, The Far East, Volume VI

811B.42/8–2345

The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Manila ( Steintorf )

Washington , September 20, 1945.

The Acting Secretary of State acknowledges the receipt of despatch no. 315 of August 23, 1945 entitled, “Proposal to Establish a Foreign Service School in the University of the Philippines.”¹⁷

In connection with this subject of Philippine preparation for the development of a Philippine Foreign Service, the Department desires to inform the Consulate General that a Committee on the Philippine Foreign Service has been established within the Department under the chairmanship of Mr. Frank P. Lockhart, Chief of the Division of Philippine Affairs, and that this Committee has held its first session and is now looking forward to the development of a definite program of cooperation between the Commonwealth Government and the Department in this matter. A copy of the Memorandum of Meeting, held on September 5, 1945, is enclosed.¹⁸

Shortly after this meeting was held the Committee was informed that President Osmeña of the Commonwealth Government had telegraphed the Resident Commissioner of the Philippines¹⁹ stating his approval of any program of cooperation between the State Department and the Commonwealth Government looking to the development of a Philippine Foreign Service. A copy of the memorandum submitted by the Resident Commissioner on this subject, which includes the telegram of President Osmeña, is also enclosed.²⁰

In view of steps being taken in this field the Department will appreciate being kept currently informed of any bills or expressions of views on the subject of preparations for the development of a Philippine foreign service and the general conduct of foreign relations by the future Republic of the Philippines.

17. Not printed; the proposal réferred to a bill introduced in the Philippine Congress (811B.42/8–2345).
18. Memorandum of September 12 by Mr. Lockhart not printed.
19. Brig. Gen. Carlos P. Romulo.
20. Letter of September 11, 1945, from the Resident Commissioner not printed. President Osmeña’s telegram stated: “Please inform State Department that we accept with thanks its offer of cultural fellowship and of assistance in training Filipinos for Foreign Service.” (811B.01/9–1145)