811.24596/7–1448
Memorandum by President Truman to the Secretary of State
Release of the Philippine Bases
I read your memorandum of the twelfth1 with much interest.
In my conversations with President Roxas he explained to me that any needed bases would be available anywhere in the Philippines. As you know, it has been difficult to get the Military and Naval Commanders to decide just what they want. This matter ran right up to the end of the two year period in which these negotiations were to be started and I called in the Ambassadors of the Philippines and [Page 628] United States and asked them to begin negotiations before the expiration of the time limit on July fourth.
I am in complete agreement with you that the bases we do not need should be returned to the Philippines without compensation and if title is not clear we should make it clear by the proper transfer. I am sure that in case of necessity we would have no trouble getting whatever Military and Naval Bases were necessary anywhere in the Philippines. I am in agreement with you that we should not negotiate on a trading basis.
- Not printed; it reviewed the subject of release of bases in the Philippines and recommended “that this Department be authorized to conclude final agreements with the Philippine Government”. (811.24596/7–1248)↩