Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI

795.5 MAP/12–2550: Telegram

The Chargé in the Philippines (Chapin) to the Secretary of State

secret   priority

Manila, December 25, 1950—noon.

1771. Reference Deptel 1257, December 22¹ and Embtel 1763, December 22.² After discussion with General Hobbs³ our joint view is that immediate deliveries balance FY 1950 plus FY entire 1951 including supplemental MDAP coupled with outright financial assistance into certain initial support will have effect:

(1) Materially speeding up dissident suppression program;

(2) countering Huk expansion plans.

MB and JUSMAG feel that actual financial assistance in circumstances is necessary to success program in view precarious economic situation Philippines. Hobbs gives tentative estimate at $25,000,000; detailed estimates can be supplied later.

Ten additional combat teams have been considered for sometime in advance planning for MDA program; speedily formed, implemented and equipped and with good leadership, they should be sufficient for the job at hand.

Letter from Hobbs to JCS dated December 21 copy of which pouched to Department under covering concurring Embassy despatch December 23⁴ urges in strongest terms immediate implementation of above points namely deliveries now FY 1951 and FY 1951 supplemental MDAP together with outright financial assistance for military forces.

Chapin

1. Not printed. It stated that on December 21 Philippine Foreign Secretary Romulo asked the Departments of State and Defense to assist the Philippines in the creation of 10 additional battalion combat teams to combat the Huks. The Embassy was asked to ascertain urgently the views of JUSMAG authorities regarding the extent of American aid needed in such a project, its desirability and adequacy, and the actual objectives of the Philippine Government (796.5/12–2250).
2. Not printed; it reported on a proposed Philippine program to reorganize the armed forces (796.55/12–2250).
3. Maj. Gen. Leland S. Hobbs, Chief of the Joint United States Military Advisory Group to the Philippines.
4. Neither the despatch under reference here, despatch No. 893, December 22, from Manila, nor the enclosed letter from Major General Hobbs of December 21, are printed (796.5–MAP/12–2250).