Lot 53D444
Memorandum by the Special Assistant to the Secretary (Battle)
Mr. Lovett called the Secretary this afternoon. He said he had been going over the letter on the Philippine position in regard to the Treaty.1 Mr. Lovett mentioned Article 3 and the provision in it regarding consultation from time to time of the Foreign Ministers and their Deputies. Mr. Lovett said that he assumed that this provision was put in in lieu of a provision for a council to discuss military matters. Mr. Acheson said that was the specific reason for this provision and that we had understood the Military Establishment objected to having to exchange military information with the Philippines. Mr. Lovett said he thought that was what was intended and that was exactly what he wanted to know.
While Mr. Lovett did not specifically indicate that this was acceptable to him, he did leave the impression that this would be satisfactory.
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In the source text, the words “Japanese peace” are interpolated between the words “the” and “Treaty” in an unidentified hand. It is the opinion of the editors that this memorandum actually concerns the draft of what became the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty.
The letter referred to may be that of Mr. Dulles to Secretary Marshall, August 9, p. 243.
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