790.5/6–554: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Philippines1
3168. Secretary called in Romulo and Gamboa this morning. Following is uncleared summary of discussion. Secretary said he consulting pursuant Article 3 Mutual Defense Treaty. He said collective defense negotiations SEA unresolved although French have made considerable progress in agreeing move forward toward completion independence treaty with Viet Nam, agreement not to withdraw French forces from Indochina so long as needed there, and willingness have UN study SEA situation. UK position still undecided. Secretary said five-power military talks of which Philippines [Page 549] will be kept fully informed will reach no decisions. Secretary then said there one aspect situation which should be distinguished from projected collective defense in SEA: namely possibility Communist China might resort open unprovoked aggression by sending its army or air force outside mainland China. President and Secretary had declared publicly overt Chinese Communist aggression would have grave consequences which might not be confined to particular area of aggression. These declarations made in belief transition from indirect to direct aggression would carry such grave implications to Western Pacific position of US and its treaty allies that there would have to be immediate reaction. Secretary said this is a policy which stands independently of SEA coalition and US hopes if it necessary for it to take action indicated US would have support and cooperation of Philippines pursuant Mutual Defense Treaty. Secretary then said US would welcome Philippine assurances in this respect, adding US seeking similar assurances from Australia and New Zealand. Secretary stressed his statement precautionary only, asserting current evidence slight Chinese Communists contemplating direct aggression.
Following Secretary’s statement Romulo asked whether US determined defend Philippines, Formosa, Japan and other off-shore areas in Western Pacific to which Secretary replied affirmatively. Romulo then referred to joint Magsaysay-Wilson release2 and urged that council referred to be established promptly. Secretary replied he would discuss with Defense and push ahead with it.