Office of the Historian

381. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Philippines1

Washington, March 9, 1956—2:48 p.m.

3087. Eyes only. Your 24822 and 2494.3 I agree developments reported your 2482 most hopeful. Believe Magsaysay statement Philippine willingness negotiate substantially on basis indicated and our agreement proceed on these lines would create most favorable atmosphere for negotiation. To ensure maximum public reaction, believe Magsaysay offer negotiate would be most effective if included in speech on foreign policy or defense.

Question use our title claim in these negotiations has received active and careful attention for several years. Defense has held view we cannot justify release without compensation of claim whose validity established by Attorney General and then ask Congress for funds for acquisition rights of use in new lands. Your present terms reference contain most liberal position acceptable to Defense. We have regarded it as reasonable position, and doubt that Defense, which primarily responsible for custody our interest in base lands, would agree to suggestion release title claim prior Philippine commitment provide us with use new lands required. In any case, I believe area difference opinion smaller than apparent, as your terms reference authorize you include release title claim in draft executive agreement if you believe this only way secure our objectives.

In summary we must secure an agreement which we can defend to our Congress just as Magsaysay must satisfy his. I believe he can be made understand this and to cooperate since it really means simply that he delete from his suggestion the requirement that our release be in advance negotiations.

I am concerned timing Magsaysay suggestion and our reply. Believe it important we be able follow up this exchange by conducting negotiations promptly and continuing them without interruption. It appears to be practical impossibility for you to participate in view imminence your departure,4 and arrival date your successor still uncertain. I feel personal participation Magsaysay essential and doubt he would be willing negotiate personally with United States representative below rank Ambassador. I suggest therefore it best if you continue important preliminary talks with Magsaysay so that he will [Page 639] be familiar with our position, but avoid fixing firm date for negotiations at present. I assume, of course, that you will discuss this matter with the Secretary and Robertson who are familiar with this problem.

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56396/3–756. Secret; Priority. Drafted in PSA; cleared by Sebald, Murphy, and Phleger; and approved by Hoover. Also sent priority to New Delhi for Dulles.↩
  2. See footnote 2, Supra.↩
  3. Supra.↩
  4. On January 28, President Eisenhower nominated Ambassador Ferguson to serve on the Court of Military Appeals.↩