811.24596/9–546: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Philippines (McNutt) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 5—7:10 a.m.]
305. Commenting on local press reports that military base negotiations have reached deadlock, President Roxas today issued statement branding reports as untrue and calling upon press and upon “persons into whose possession comes knowledge of these negotiations” to refrain from publishing or disseminating such knowledge which is “vital to the security of the Philippines” and whose dissemination can be “used to our national disadvantage”. Roxas’ press statement said negotiations proceeding routinely but that “intimate details” must not be disclosed since they feel involve mutual security of the Philippines and the United States.
Roxas advised US he warned Philippine negotiators to refrain from comment to press on progress or detail of negotiation. Identity of individuals who disclosed information to reporters has not be [been?] ascertained. Several papers prominently displaced [displayed?] reports of alleged deadlock and gave details of negotiations.