751G.00/4–954: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Philippines (Spruance) to the Department of State
2241. Following is portion text coded telegram received via MacKay Radio by Magsaysay1 from Romulo:
“Top secret and confidential:
“Admiral Radford asked me to convey to you as his personal request that the Philippines be the first government in Asia to come out openly in favor of united action in Indochina. He said that this would have a tremendous effect in the free world and he said that because of his friendship for you he is anxious that this be done at your earliest convenience. He also asked me to relay to you information that the situation in French Indochina is really dangerous and that unless the other countries in Southeast Asia come out openly together for united action, Communism will register an important victory in French Indochina that will endanger our national security. When I told him that I would telephone you he asked me not to do so because he said this information is absolutely top secret and there may be telephone leak and he wants this message for your eyes only.
“If you will allow me to make a suggestion this seems to me the most appropriate time for us to insist that whatever declaration of principles is approved regarding proposed united action that such declaration of principles should not only be for the present but also for the future. I mean it should be like Atlantic Charter declaration of principles wherein the United States and the other western powers agree to certain fundamental pronouncements insuring the freedom of the peoples of Asia and underscoring the end of [garble] there. I will wire you more [garble] on this tomorrow.”
[Here follows discussion of other matters.]
Embassy would appreciate instructions matters embodied first and second paragraphs.
- Ramon Magsaysay, President of the Philippines since Dec. 30, 1953, was also Secretary of Defense.↩