Office of the Historian

740.00119 PW/8–146: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Philippines (McNutt) to the Secretary of State

confidential
Manila, August 1, 1946—2 p.m.
[Received August 1—2:30 a.m.]

132. Department’s circular infotel July 26. For your information Roxas91 instructed Romulo92 attend reparations conference but directed him ask United States Government to press reparation claims behalf Philippines, in accordance with general understanding we have long had that United States was legal claimant for Philippine reparations especially in light of Philippine rehabilitation act.93

McNutt
  1. Manuel A. Roxas, President of the Philippines.↩
  2. Brig. Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, Philippines representative on the Far Eastern Commission and formerly Resident Commissioner in the United States.↩
  3. Public Law 370, approved April 30, 1946; 60 Stat. 128. The Department replied in telegram 602, November 1, 8 p.m., that it had decided the Philippine Government “should claim and collect for own account” and that the Legal Adviser was of the opinion that the Act “does not imply US should be legal claimant for Phil reparations. Advise Phil Govt US will not claim reparations for Philippine war damages or losses.” (740.00119 PW/8–146) For text of the Legal Adviser’s opinion, see memorandum of October 21, p. 580.↩