Philippines, 1942-1945

PSF Philippines 1942-45 Jole PSF: Phitippine Folder her full and DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON January 19, 1942 MEMORANDUM Re: Evacuation of President Quezon Mr. President: I transmitted your message to the War Department, stating that you were anxious to have President Quezon's evacuation provided there was an even chance or better of his getting out. General Marshall telephoned yesterday to say that they considered it best not to reopen the question. He considered that there was still too great danger of repercussions among the Filipino troops. I told General Marshall that in our telephone con- versation you had distinctly left the matter subject to his estimate of chances and that under these circum- stances, I was sure you would accept his judgment in the matter. It seems that the danger in getting in or out by plane is secondary to the dangers to morale among the Filipino soldiers. any Adolf A. BerIe, Jr. war filinfidentent PSF: Philippine folder THE UNITED STATES HIGH COMMISSIONER MANILA Jan. 26, 1942 my dear m. President, / am taking the word to you by a submarine opportunity of sending this personal which / hope will succed in breaking blockade. through the Japanese We are holding the fort here and keeping our colors their flying chins Our up, men and are the keeping casualties ask : "When will american planes coming in to the hospital invariably arrive and "How soon can / get back onto the firing line Our is not red tape or to in you low / know Thesitation slow the aid which we must have and allow Correglidor Singapore to attacking for ce of sure or superiority soon. If we wait so as to gather an fall in the interim the will winning be of delayed immeasurably. although convinced / am was against Japan no military strategist am while the Japanese lines are overextended and that a smashing NOW, still while in Corregidor our hands, and will Singapore are are more than ten victories later on. health will not break under the We are hoping that President Queyous of upon all but the is good. rigors life I we our morale The a strain kind overhead one. will put new fight into The sight of american planes every / have not been able to secure such reports as / have had not treatment of amerticans in manila have reliable reports In the Japanese been reassuring With affection and confidence, Ever sincerely yours, Frank Sayre PSF: Philippers [1-31-42] war department WASHINGTON Published in Foreign Relations of the United States 1942 Vol. I I- General, British Commonwealth The For East UK and MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: Subject: Radiogram from General MacArthur quoting President Quezon. General MacArthur points out that the nature of President Page 890 Quezon's letter is such that it can properly be answered only by the President of the United States. He requests information as to when reply can be expected. That portion of Mr. Quezon's letter on which he asked dis- tribution was sent immediately, through G-2, to Colonel Donovan's organization. A radiogram of acknowledgment has been dispatched to General MacArthur. The following draft of a suggested reply is intended for dispatch by the President to General MacArthur for President Quezon: "I have read with complete understanding your let- ter to General MacArthur. I realize the depth and sincerity of your sentiments with respect to your inescapable duties to your own people and I assure you that I would be the last to demand of you and them any sacrifice which I considered hopeless in the furtherance of the cause for which we are all striving. I want, however, to state with all possible emphasis that the magnificent resistance of the defenders of Bataan is contributing definitely toward assuring the completeness of our final victory in the Far East. The -1- ml 1-31-92 my2-9-42 [PSF- rhilippine] SECTION gaps existing in our offensive armaments are those that are to be expected when peace-loving countries such as the United States and the Philippines suddenly find them- selves attacked by autocratic power which has spent years in preparation for armed conflict. Initial defeats, priva- tions and suffering are the inevitable consequences to democracy in such circumstances. But I have pledged to the attainment of ultimate victory the full man power, finances and material resources of this country; and this pledge of victory includes as an essential objective the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the Philippines and its return to the control of a Government of its own choosing. While I cannot now indicate the time at which succor and assistance can reach the Philippines, I do know that every ship at our disposal is bringing to the South West Pacific the forces that will ultimately smash the in- vader and free your country. Ships in that region have been loaded and dispatched to Manila with various supplies for the garrison. Already our forces, with those of our Allies, have inflicted severe losses upon enemy convoys and naval shipping and are definitely slowing his South- ward advance. Our four engine bombers are daily report- ing to General Wavell from the trans-African route and -2- SECRET more recently via the Pacific. Ten squadrons of pursuit and fighter planes have already been made available in that theater and a steady flow of such planes is cross- ing the Pacific. Our Navy is heavily engaged in escorting to the same region large troop convoys. Every day gained for building up our forces is of incalculable value and it is in the gaining of time that the defenders of Bataan are assisting us 80 effectively. "I have no words in which to express to you my admiration and gratitude for the complete demonstration Col Gailey of loyalty, courage and readiness to sacrifice that your states people, under your inspired leadership, have displayed. They are upholding the most magnificent traditions of this case free democracy. has feeu "Those portions of your letter to General MacArthur dispatched on which you asked publicity are being broadcast to the world from Washington. Your words and your example will YR r/acw rally to renewed effort not only the people of your own country but all those that in every section of the globe are enlisted in the fight for democratic principles and 3142AM freedom in government." File- 3 Therey Mineon Secretary of War. RECEIVED MISC. DIV., AGO. S.&C. Section 83 AGO -3- I m-1 You Received 1-31-42 Published in Foreign Relations ofthe United States 1942 Vol. I General, British Commonwealth The Far East Page 897. SECRET Philippines [2-9-42] Please convey the following message from the President to President Quezon: I have just received your message sent through General MacArthur. From my message to you of January 361942 you must realize that I am not lacking in understanding of or sympathy with the situation the Commonwralth of yourself and your government today. The immediate crisis certainly X seems desperate but such crises and their treatment must be judged by a more accurate measure than the anxieties and sufferings of the present, however acute. For over firty years the American government has been carrying out to the people of the Philippines a pledge to help them successfully, however long it might take, in their aspirations to become a self-governing and independent people with the individual freedom and economic strength which that lofty aim makes requisite. You yourself have participated in and are familiar with the many carefully planned steps by which that pledge of self-governmant has been carried out and also the steps by which the economic independence of The Islands is to made be effective. May I remind you now that in the loftiness of its aim and the fidelity with which it has been executed, this program of the another United States towards a dependent people has been unique in the history of the family of nations. In the McDuffy-Tydings Act of 1934, to which you refer, the Congress of the United States finally fixed the year 1946 as the date in which it was hoped that the Commonwealth of the Philippine Islands established by that Act should finally reach the goal of its hopes for political and economic independence. Published in "Foreign Relations of the u.s, 1942, Vol.1 general, British Commonwealth, the Far East" P897 SECRET 4-27-60 card d. Spice SECRET By a malign conspiracy of a few depraved but powerful nations this hope is now being frustrated and delayed. An organized attack upon individual freedom and governmental independence throughout the entire world, beginning in Europe, has now spread and been carried to the southwestern Pacific by Japan. The United States has become involved in this war because of its defense of the rights of small nations, The basic principles upon which existed and the us in which have guided its conduct towards the Philippines have been violated austrian in the rape of Poland, Holland, Belgium Luximbourg Thailand Denmark, Norway, Greece, Czraha slawaken, albanca Yugoslavia, Manchukuo, China, Indo-China, and finally thePhilippines. You refer in your telegram to the announcement by the Prime Mnister of Japan of Japan's willingness to grant to the Philippines her independence. I only have to refer you to the present condition of Korea, Manchukuo, North China, Indo-China, and all other countries which have fallen under the bratel sway of the Japanese government, to point out the hollow duplicity of such an announcement. The United States today is engaged with all its resources and in company with the governments of twenty-six other nations in an effort to defeat the aggression of Japan and its Axis partners. This effort will never be abandoned until the complete and thorough overthrow of the entire Axis system and the governments which maintain it. We are engaged now in laying the foundations in the southwest Pacific of a development in air, naval, and military power which shall become sufficient to meet and overthrow the widely extended and arrogant attempts of the Japanese. SECRET SECRET By the terms of our pledge to the Philippines implicit in our forty years of conduct towards your people and expressly recognized in the terms of the McDuffy-Tydings Act, we have undertaken to protect you to the uttermost of our power until the time of your ultimate independence had arrived. Our soldiers in the Philippines are now engaged in fulfilling that purpose. The honor of the United States is pledged to its fulfillment. We propose that it be carried out regardless of its cost. Those Americans who are fighting now will continue to fight until the bitter end. We have not hitherte do we now impose any compulsion upon your soldiers who have been cooperating with ue in th io endeavor But SO long as the flag of the United States flies on Filipino soil as a pledge of our duty to your people, it will own be defended by our A men to the death. Whatever happens to the present American garrison we shall not relax our efforts until the forces which we are now marshaling outside the Philippine Islands return to the Philippines and drive the last remnant of the invaders from your soil. SECRET *FORET WAR DEPARTMENT WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL STAFF A.G.O. WAR PLANS DIVISION WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON February 14, : 41 SENT FEB 14:342 1842 MEMORANDUM FOR THE ADJUTANT GENERAL: CODE Subject: For Eastern Situation. The Secretary of War directs that El secret message, as follows, 1988 FDE. be sent by the most expeditious means possible consistent with secrecy #10 to Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in Far East: FROM THE PRESIDENT TO GENERAL MACARTHUR STOP PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT QUEZON QUOTE I HAVE JUST LEARNED THROUGH A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MACARTHUR THAT YOU HAVE AUTHORIZED THE DESTRUCTION OF SILVER CURRENCY BELONGING TO THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT IF THIS SHOULD BECOME NOTE: Dispatched by Code Room, WDMC, NECESSARY TO PREVENT ITS CAPTURE BY THE ENEMY STOP IT IS A as Radio No. 1050. ehb - 1705. REAL GRATIFICATION TO HAVE THIS ADDITIONAL PROOF OF THE COM- PLETE LOYALTY OF YOURSELF AND YOUR GOVERNMENT TO THE UNITED STATES AND YOUR READINESS FOR SELF SACRIFICE IN THE CAUSE FOR WHICH WE ARE ALL FIGHTING STOP I REGRET THAT REQUIREMENTS OF SECRECY DO NOT PERMIT ME TO PUBLISH THE NEWS OF YOUR ACTION COMMA FOR IT IS THROUGH SUCH EVIDENCE OF THE COMPLETE SOLIDARITY (2-14-40) OF THE UNITED POWERS THAT ALL OUR PEOPLES ARE INSPIRED TO IN- CREASED EFFORT TOWARD FINAL VICTORY THE FEBRY FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT NOTED-OFF CHIE OF STAFF toR L. T. GEROW, 83 Brigadier General, Assistant Chief of Staff. FEB 18 1942 SECRET Received M-6A Philippine FOR THE PRESIDENT folder FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR martile RADIOGRAM RP NPM2374 file AC--4 Exact Copy EHB/1sc-1705 0200/15 PRIORITY Feb. 15, 1942. Franklin D. Receivelt AG 243 (2-15-42) MSC BEBI AREN From: Ft. Mills CK 5300.0 (0/27/68) To: AGWAR Date- JAN 18 1972 No. 285 Feb. 15 Signature- RHP For the Chase National Bank, New York City. From the general funds of the Philippine Government deposited with you please place to the credit of Douglas MacArthur at the Chemical National Bank and Trust Company, New York, five hundred thousand dollars; to the credit of Richard K. Sutherland at the Army National Bank, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, seventy-five thousand dollars; to the credit of Richard J. Marshall, Junior, at the Army National Bank, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, forty-five thousand dollars; to the credit of Sidney L. Huff at the First National Bank, San Diego, California, twenty thousand dollars. Radio through War Department report of execution. By direction of the President: Jose Abad Santos, Secretary of Finance. Approved: Manuel L. Quezon. MacArthur. Exact Action Copy to: Secretary, General Staff. CY No. 1 and 2 Action requested above has been taken. John adisone Coc, b.s.c Secretary, G.S. Radiogram Exact Copy Franklin D. Roosevelt Library DECLASSIFIED DOD DIR. 5200.9 (9/27/58) Date- 4-6-59 Signature- carl L. spicer Boy MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: The attached memorandum com- pletes the account of Luzon evacuations, a part of which was sent to you this morning. Chief of Staff. SECRET Summary of Developments in MacArthur's Case 1. February 23 (No. 1078) Radio orders from President dispatched to General MacArthur, directing him to proceed Mindanao for purpose of organizing resistance; within a week thereafter to proceed from Mindanao to Australia to take command of American Forces in that country. Intention of President to negotiate with other governments for their acceptance of MacArthur as Com- manding General, revamped ABDA. 2. February 24. From MacArthur (No. 358). Discusses above plan in detail. Gives outline of existing situation. Requests that timing of his departure be left to him because of time required in arranging for de- tails of Luzon defense, after his departure. Suggested use of surface vessel, submarine and airplanes, but indicated date of departure could not be given at this time. 3. February 25 (No. 1087) Instructions of President to MacArthur stating that the timing of departure and details of method would be left to him. Suggested submarine and airplane arrangements that would make these available to MacArthur on call. 4. February 26. From MacArthur (No. 373). Accepted proposed arrangements and requests Navy De- partment order submarine to Corregidor. Brett to be instructed to send 3 B-24s to Mindanao on call. Estimated date of depar- ture as March 15. 5. February 26. Admiral King directed Admiral Glassford to keep a submarine constantly at the disposal of General MacArthur, until further orders. General Brett, in Australia, was directed to be prepared to dispatch to Mindanao, on call of General MacArthur, three heavy bombers. SECRET file WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE CHIEF OF STAFF WASHINGTON 2/26/42 Very clear Mr President: radised that in he & antientation me certifur Pus Just march 15. date he workful for to lease Fat miss, and requests certain proliming arrangments. - Dubmarims and plans. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library DECLASSIFIED DOD DIR. 5200.9 (9/27/58) Date- 4-6-59 Signature- Parl L specer SECRET now commanding U.S. Forces in Australia. Please inform me at once whether these proposed arrangements appear satisfactory to you. Meanwhile you should not, repeat not, communicate on this subject with Army and Navy commanders in Australia, until after receipt of message from me that general arrangements from this end have been completed. Marshall. SECRET -2- Franklin D. Roosevelt Library DECLASSIFIED DOD DIR. 5200.9 (9/27/58) Date- 4-6-59 Signature- Care L. spicer Bot SECRIT Philippines RRC 2WTJ FILED 7/510P SECRET RADIOGRAM AC-4 March 7, 1942 AG 381 (3-7-42) FROM Fort Mills, P. I. 6:41 A M TO Adjutant General No. 438, March 7, 1942. It has been continuously reported from various agencies that the Com- mander in Chief of the Japanese forces in the Philippines, General Homa, committed harikari because of his failure to destroy our forces in Bataan and Corregidor. His funeral was held in Manila on Feb. 26 in presence of personal representatives of the Emperor and his ashes were flown to Japan the following day. I cannot completely substantiate this report but not only from local spies but from intercepted Japanese communications it is be- lieved to be correct. It is further indirectly substantiated by a change in Japanese methods since that time. There is a touch of irony involved in that his funeral rites and it is believed his suicide took place in my old apart- ment which he occupied in the Manila Hotel. I suggest that you initiate pub- licity in this matter. It will have a greater psychological effect if announced by Washington rather than by me. MacArthur EXACT ACTION COPY TO A.C. of S., G-2 Copy No. 1 EXACT INFO COPIES TO A.C. of S., G-1 Copy No. 2 A.C. of S., G-3 Copy No. 3 A.C. of S., WPD Copy No. 4 Chief Army Air Forces Copy No. 5 Miscellaneous Division Copy No. 6 Secretary General Staff Copy No. 7 SECRET RADIOGRAM Fronklir D. Roosevelt Library RETURN ALL COPIES TO ROOM 1704 AGO IN COMP WITH PAR 40 C AR 380-5 SENT 8:33 A M 3/7/42 MDR SECRET Philippines 89. But WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF WASHINGTON March 19, 1942. OKER MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: I think it important that some such message as the following be dispatched today to General Wainwright: n The nation is aware of the extreme difficulty of your task and of its vast importance. With confi- dence in your leadership and the superb gallantry and efficiency of that devoted band of American and Filipino today soldiers under your command, I am submitting your nomina- tion as a Lieutenant General. It shall be my constant aim to see that every possible means and method are employed to relieve your situation. Chief of Staff. Approved Hung L Stinson Seey of was wartib Folder THE WHITE HOUSE file and Lile WASHINGTON May 5, 1942. MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: General Marshall 'phoned me on receipt of the following telegram from Wainwright: "Landing attack on Corregidor is in progress. Enemy landed north point. Further details as devel- op. 11 In view of this he has sent the attach- ed cable to Wainwright, trying to bolster up his morale. Queer W. SPEECH BY PRESIDENT QUEZON Philippines folder 1-48 MY BELOVED COUNTRYMEN: [1943] One year ago today I began my long odyssey which started from Corregidor and ended in this great capital of the United States. It is now my duty to report to you on what we have accomplished during this year. I do not have to tell you that from the first day of the invasion of our country by Japan, the Japanese have directed their propaganda at convincing you that Japan is our friend and liberator. Your answer, our answer, has been to fight them to the bitter end. The flower of our youth died side by side with their American comrades in defense of our country, our liberties, and the American and Philippine flags. The surrender of Bataan and Corregidor did not end that epic struggle. Even the broadcasts from Tokio that now and then tell of the stern and cruel measures taken by the Japanese Army in the Philippines against Filipinos, reveal that our people have not accepted defeat, and as best they can, they are still fighting - 2 - the invaders at whatever cost. But Japan is bent upon winning your good will by every possible device ifshe can. Knowing that independence is the cause for which our forefathers fought and died; knowing, too, that we have stood by America because she has made good her pledge to make our people free and independent, Japanese propa- ganda has been insistently telling you that you must not have faith in America, and that the independence of our country will only come from Japan. In line with this policy of deceit, Premier Tojo, at the last session of the Imperial Diet, has again reiterated his state- ment made last year that Japan is ready to grant independence to the Philippines. Assuming that tomorrow Japan was to declare the Philippines an independent nation, what would that mean? It would merely mean that the Philippines would be another "Manchukuo" -- a government without rights, without powers, without authority. A government charged only with the duty to - 3 - obey the dictates of the Japanese rulers. After the tragic end of Korea's independence, in utter disregard of a solemn pledge to respect it, it would be worse than folly to rely on any promise made by the Japanese government. Vis-a-vis Manchukuo and Korea, let us go over our association with the United States: Coincident with the organization of Civil Government in the Philippines in the early years of the American regime, the Filipino people enjoyed, for the first time in their history, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship, and all the other freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Neither the President nor the Congress of the United States could deprive the Filipinos of these rights, for they were under the protection of the Cons- titution of the United States itself. With the help of the United States, we made steady progress in every field of human endeavor and rapid advance in the practice - 4 - of self-government. At last America gave us complete autonomy on matters affecting our domestic affairs, preparatory to the establishment of the Philippine Republic which was set for the fourth of July 1946. We were a happy and prosperous people when Japan, without the slightest provocation on our part, brought sufferings, death and havoc, and destroyed every vestige of freedom in our country. But our sacrifices have not been in vain. By our decision to fight by the side of the United States, by our heroism, and by our loyalty to the American flag, we wor a battle greater than we lost. Our decision and our heroism have won for our people real freedom for all time. You know what President Roosevelt said in his proclamation to the Filipino people on December 28, 1941. These were his words: "I give to the people of the Philippines my solemn pledge that their freedom will be redeemed and their independence established - 5 - and protected. The entire resources in men and materials of the United States stand behind that pledge." Not only that. President Roosevelt has, in effect, already given the Philippines recognition as an independent nation. On my arrival in Washington, he rendered me honors due only to the heads of independent governments. He met me at the railroad station with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Interior. Mrs. Quezon and I were his official guests at the White House. He has recognized our right to take part in the Pacific War Council, with Great Britain, China, and the self-governing Dominions of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The President of the United States presides over the Council table. In the name of the Philippines, I am a signatory to the Atlantic Charter. We are one of the United Nations. And whether the war is over before or after July 4, 1946, the date fixed for the establishment of the Philippine Republic, I am - 6 - certain that we shall have our own representation in the Peace Conference. Japan now promises you independence. That promise means less than nothing. Our independence is already a reality, since the President of the United States, by his several official acts enumerated above, has given recognition to the Philippines as possessed of the attributes of full nationhood. The only thing lacking is the formal establishment of the Philippine Republic. This cannot happen until our country is liberated from the invader - until you, my fellow-citizens, can exercise your full right to elect the officials of the Government of the Republic. On January 6, 1941, President Roosevelt said: "In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. "The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world. - 7 - "The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world. "The third is freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understanding which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- every- where in the world. "The fourth is freedom from fear - which, translated into world terms, means worldwide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor anywhere in the world." Those are the Four Freedoms for which we fight. They will come after the victory of the United Nations. When that glorious day arrives, the Filipino people will enjoy the blessings of these four freedoms -- freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear. The first two need no - 8 - elaboration. You have known and exercised them before this war began. But, in the past, the other two have only been the hope and the ambition of our people. Now we can look forward to these human rights with the assurance of their realization after the war. We shall secure for every Filipino the satisfaction of the basic human needs which are the rights of all men -- -- food, clothing, and shelter, and economic opportunity. With the help of the United States, we shall rebuild our ravaged land, and make of it a prosperous member of the family of free nations. President Roosevelt and I have already agreed that studies be made now for the economic rehabilitation of the Philippines, so that we shall be ready to proceed with the gigantic task of rebuilding our country as soon as the enemy is expelled. As for the fourth freedom - the freedom from fear of aggression - we have before us, not only the commitment in - 9 - principle of the United Nations, but also the pledge of the Government of the United States, as given by President Roosevelt in his proclamation to the Filipino people. In furtherance of this pledge, President Roosevelt has authorized the State Department to discuss with me the question of our future security and of the safeguarding forever of the mutual interests of the United States and the Philippines in the Pacific area. My beloved countrymen: I give you my solemn assurance that the Philippines is not being neglected. The President, the Congress, the American people, are doing and will do everything in their power to redeem you as soon as possible from the heel of the invader. As for me, you know that day and night I can only think of you, of the day of your redemption and my return to our beautiful Islands. I would not be here, I would not have left you for a moment, I would have been sharing with you your sufferings and - 10 - your hardships if I did not feel that I could only be of service to you by my being free from the clutches of the enemy. Do not despair for your liberation is certain. It may take time, but it will come. Meanwhile, don't let the Japanese fool you. Use your wits and beat him at his own game. Above all, you must continue to have faith in America who has kept faith with every nation, and especially with us. Our bond of friendship tempered in the heat of battle, will last beyond the war and into the peace of freedom, general well-being and safety that will follow it.