694.001/8–851: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Philippines (Cowen) to the Secretary of State
566. In order further clarify my thinking for further talks with Phils on receipt memo referred to second para Deptel 448, Aug 6,1 [Page 1248] pls cable soonest Dept’s broadest definition of skills and services and also suggest own substitute for “skills” which may ease Phil sensitivity.
To Phils as to other Asians, status of raw materials suppliers connotes colonial subservience. Any western tendency to discourage indigenous industrial development therefore automatically suspect as ruse to retain dominance economically despite relinquishment polit control. Illustrative is oratorical potency of “hewers of wood and carriers of water” frequently used here as contemptuous description colonial status.
Phils resistance Dept’s proposal for reparations out of Jap skills and services stems from (1) sensitivity implication they incompetent develop own skills, (2) hostility to Jap and fear of encouraging his infiltration here by growth local dependence his skills, (3) refusal feed Jap industrial expansion at expense own incentive to industrialize, (4) suspicion our insistence hints determination prolong Phils colonial dependence via econ subterfuge. These ideas widely current even if not wholly endorsed by Phil leaders and therefore cld serve as rallying point anti-Amer propagandists.2
- See footnote 5, p. 1239.↩
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Telegram 483 to Manila, August 8, drafted by Mr. Dulles, reads as follows: “Ur 566 Aug 8, portion of 14 (a) (1) referred to might read ‘by making available the services of the Jap people in production salvaging and other work for account of the Allied Powers in question’.
We see no reason why this right may not be availed of to have Jap produce not merely consumers goods but capital goods which would reduce Phil economic dependence.” (694.001/8–851)
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