790.5/7–2751: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Philippines
priority
834. For Amb Cowen from Rusk. Pls take earliest opportunity to get from Romulo in as much detail as possible his ideas concerning nature and possibly even text of security treaty between US and Phils. You shld tell Romulo that this matter is being given urgent and most serious consideration here but that you are without instrs on particular points. One important conclusion already reached here is that any such additional agreement must not disturb in any way existing arrangements on security matters between US and Phils. Further, we cannot forget that we made a major concession to Phils on reparations only to have them explode in irresponsible tantrum, despite fact they have known for years that there wld be no substantial reparations from Japan. If we now make specific in additional agreement mutual security pledges, what assurance do we have that Phil Govt will adopt responsible attitude toward Jap peace treaty and begin to correct situation for which it itself is so largely responsible? [Rusk.]