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290018184
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Memorandum for President Harry S. Truman
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290018184
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Memorandum for President Harry S. Truman
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President's Secretary's Files (Truman Administration)
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290018184
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and
MEMORANDOM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
SUBJECT: Soldier Demonstrations in Manila
It is ay understanding that you have requested information concerning
the soldier demonstrations in Manila, 6-7 January 1946, which have recently
been reported by the press. In order that you may have an securate picture
of what has taken place, I have obtained & report from Lieutenant General
Styer, Commanding General, Army Forces, Western Pacific in direct commend
of the Philippines, which is summired for your information.
on the 6th and 7th of January a series of denonstrations sere held in
the Manile area. The only one of these of any sagnitude was A asse meeting
of from 6,000 to 10,000 soldiers held at the City Hall. Here the soldiers
voiced dissutisfuction with recent conflicting statements by Bar Department
officiels, and urged that pressure be brought to bear on families and
congression in the United States to reduce overseas forces to those required
for occupation of Japan and Germany and disposal of property. General Styer
broadeast sh address to all the troops of the area including those assembled
at the City Hall.
In his address General Styer explained that in four months the Aray has
demobilised two-thirds of his command which it took two years and six months
to build. For the entire Pseifie Area it has been found necessary to depley
on Aray of 375,000 Aray troops, including Air Forces, to perform our occu-
pessional and post-war garrison duties, as of 1 July 1946. Our forces connot
be permitted to demobilize at such e rate that the flow of replacements from
the recruiting program and selective service earnat maintein that minimum
strength. Further, supplies assembled in the for flung bases must be
protected to prevent vestage, deterioration and sheft.
General Styer reported by redio to General MacArthw that no mass
disciplinary action has been initiated by responsible commanders because
there have been no sets of violence or disorder. General MacArthur replied
giving his approval to the paternal method of action proposed by General
Styer and stated that the discontent has been *primarily caused by actite
homesickness aggrevated by the termination of hostilities. These nen are
good non who have performed magnificently under campsign conditions and
inherently are not challenging discipline or authority".