611.96/8–2351
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Rusk) to the Ambassador at Large (Jessup)1
Subject: Problems which the Philippines might raise with the Secretary at San Francisco.2
Considering that the United States has granted a large and significant military program to the Philippines, has undertaken an ECA program as well as an Export Import Bank program in conformity with recommendations of the Bell Mission, has made major concessions to Philippine desires on the Japanese Peace Treaty and is concluding a security treaty,3 it is difficult to conceive what else they could want. Probably more has been done for the Philippines during the past year proportionably than for any other country in the world. One must assume, however, that if anyone can figure out a new angle, the Philippines will do it.
In the event that the Philippines should devise new and unanticipated capers, it is recommended that the Secretary listen politely and noncommittally and in his reply largely confine himself to strengthening the point that the time has now come for Philippine performance and greatly strengthened self-help, particularly, since the tools for the establishment of stability have now been made available. Emphasis could also be made of the fact that the world will be watching the mid-term [Page 1560] elections of next November as tangible evidence of the sincerity of Philippine democratic protestations.4
- Memorandum drafted by Mr. Melby.↩
- Reference is to the Conference held at San Francisco September 4–8, for the conclusion and signature of a Treaty of Peace with Japan. For documentation, see pp. 1326 ff.↩
- For documentation, see pp. 132 ff.↩
- Record of any conversations held between Secretary Acheson and Philippine delegates to the Conference has not been found in Department of State files.↩