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

811B.42/11–2045

The Secretary of State to the Philippine Resident Commissioner in the United States ( Romulo )

Washington , November 20, 1945.

My Dear General Romulo: The Department of State wishes to inform you that arrangements are now being completed to receive the first group of Filipinos for training in the field of foreign affairs. On December 3 the Foreign Service Officers Training School will begin a new session, and it is hoped that before that time the Commonwealth Government will have nominated at least five, but not more than ten, candidates to participate in the initial training program. The Department reserves the right to pass upon the admissibility to this training program of any person whose name may be submitted for that purpose. It is particularly important that men of outstanding ability and character be selected as well as men whose record is entirely clear of any direct or indirect collaboration with the enemy.²³ It is hoped that arrangements can be made by which the Office of the United States High Commissioner and the Consulate General in Manila will be able to co-operate with the Commonwealth authorities in selecting suitable candidates in the Philippines for this training program.

The Department of State welcomes this opportunity to be of service to the Commonwealth Government and hopes that it may receive a list of nominees at an early date.²⁴

Sincerely yours,

For the Secretary of State:

Frank P. Lockhart

Chief, Division of Philippine Affairs

23. In an unnumbered instruction of November 28, 1945, the Secretary of State informed the Consul General at Manila as follows: “The Commonwealth Government in Washington has been informed of this attitude of the Department regarding candidates.” (811B.42/10–1345) For documentation on collaborationism, see pp. 1231 ff.
24. In an unnumbered instruction of December 11, 1945, the Secretary of State informed the Consul General at Manila that five Filipino trainees resident in the United States were participating in sessions of the Foreign Service Officers’ Training School and expressed the hope that additional trainees from the Philippines would be able to enter the training program in January 1946 (811B.42/12–1145).