694.001/7–1951: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Philippines (Cowen) to the Secretary of State
279. Deptel 213, July 19 [18].1 In my judgment simple treaty of alliance with Phils will help substantially to clarify present situation. Phils are genuinely concerned about security and honestly fear proposed Jap peace treaty will facilitate resurgence Jap econ potency and open way for return of mil power. A more formal defense arrangement will quiet fears of those here who view oral commitments with some suspicion and by providing equality of treatment will remove one basis of opposition attacks. It will also enable Phils to play up idea of Pacific pact of which Quirino likes to think he is chief architect and to that extent serve as face saver in the present peace treaty muddle. In order to pursue idea to best advantage I hope DG [Dept?] will auth me to discuss it in confidence with Romulo and Quirino at early date. The timing of our approach and of subsequent policy must be carefully planned with view to taking as much heat off reparations question as possible.
- Supra.↩