Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

790.5/6–554

No. 365
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Drumright)

top secret

Washington, June 5, 1954.

Subject:

• Request for Philippine Assurances of Support in Event of Overt Chinese Communist Aggression

Participants:

• General Carlos P. Romulo, Special Representative of the President of the Philippines
• Dr. Melquiades J. Gamboa, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Philippines
• The Secretary
• Mr. Everett F. Drumright, Acting Assistant Secretary, FE

General Romulo and Dr. Gamboa called on the Secretary this morning at the Secretary’s request. The Secretary presented them with copies of a “Philippine Talking Paper” (copy attached).

After allowing time for General Romulo and Dr. Gamboa to read the paper, the Secretary elaborated on a few points. He said that the French are still unable to make up their minds, and that they are using possible U.S. intervention as a card to bolster their position at Geneva.

The Secretary said that the United Kingdom had finally agreed to participation in the Five Power military talks, adding that while those talks are mostly “scenery”, the United States would keep the Philippines fully informed.

In the course of the conversation, the Secretary stressed the importance of holding Japan, Okinawa, Formosa, the Philippines and other areas located off the Asian mainland. He referred to the Mutual Defense Treaties which the United States has with the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand and said that overt unprovoked Chinese Communist aggression outside of mainland China would bring up the question of implementation of these treaties. Asserting that if it became necessary to react to overt Chinese Communist aggression, the Secretary expressed hope that we would have the support and cooperation of the Republic of the Philippines pursuant to the Mutual Defense Treaty and we would appreciate Philippine assurances to this effect.

Following this statement, the Secretary asked if General Romulo or Dr. Gamboa had any questions. General Romulo immediately referred to the Secretary’s statement about the necessity for defending non-Communist territories lying off the mainland of China and asked if the United States was really determined to defend them against Communist encroachment. The Secretary replied that the United States is determined to stand and fight on that line in the event of aggression.

General Romulo referred to point (1) of the Talking Paper and asked when the Council referred to in the Magsaysay-Wilson joint release of May 25 at Manila could be expected to be established. General Romulo said that President Magsaysay had requested that the Council be set up as soon as possible, adding that President Magsaysay was anxious to know what responsibilities and obligations the Philippines would have to assume in the light of the deteriorating situation in the Far East and the terms of the Mutual Defense Treaty. President Magsaysay also wanted to know what assistance and support the Philippines could expect to receive from the United States. General Romulo also asked about the composition of the Council and where its deliberations would take place. After Mr. Drumright had read out a portion of the MagsaysayWilson joint release pertaining to the establishment of the Council, the Secretary said that these questions would require consultation with the Defense Department and further discussions with the Philippine Government. The Secretary expressed the personal view that the Council should be primarily military in character. Mr. Drumright asserted the view that Manila would probably be the most appropriate location for the holding of Council meetings. The Secretary stated that steps would be taken promptly to move toward establishment of the Council.

[Attachment]

Philippine Talking Paper

1. We consult pursuant to article 3 of the Mutual Defense Treaty.

2. Negotiations with reference to the collective defense of the area of Southeast Asia are still unresolved. The French have made considerable progress in agreeing to move forward along three essential lines.

a. The completion of the treaty of independence with Vietnam.

b. Agreement not to withdraw its forces from Indochina so long as they are needed.

c. Willingness to have the UN begin to study the situation, the opening step being the Thai application to the Security Council.

The UK position is still undecided, since the United Kingdom withdrew from the commitment given in London on April 13. However, the British Cabinet meeting today might lead to a change in the United Kingdom position.

3. The military talks going on here will reach no decisions and they are held primarily because this was the only form in which the United Kingdom was willing to have any activity during the Geneva Conference and this seemed to the United States to be better than nothing. The United States will keep the Philippines fully informed of the talks.

4. There is one aspect of the situation which should be distinguished from and not confused with the projected “collective defense” coalition in Southeast Asia. That is the possibility that Communist China might resort to open, unprovoked aggression by sending its army or air force into action outside of mainland China.

The President and the Secretary of State have stated publicly and it has also been stated privately to the Soviet Foreign Minister, that overt aggression by Communist China would have grave consequences which might not be confined to the particular area of aggression. This declaration was made by the United States in the belief that the transition from indirect aggression to direct aggression would carry with it such grave implications to the Western Pacific position of the United States and its treaty allies that there would have to be an immediate reaction.

This is a policy which stands independently of the Southeast Asia coalition. The United States hopes that if it is necessary for it to take action as indicated, it would have the support and cooperation of the Philippines, pursuant to the Mutual Defense Treaty. We would be glad to have assurances in this respect. We are seeking similar assurances from Australia and New Zealand.

5. The foregoing statement is precautionary only. There are some slight evidences that success may be going to the head of the Chinese Communists and that there may be a contemplation of direct aggression. However, the evidence is so far slight, and the United States present view is that such overt aggression is unlikely.