890.20/7–1849: Telegram
The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State
Cantel 758. Wang Shih-chieh, former Foreign Minister who accompanied Generalissimo [to] Baguio, gives me following re visit:
After exchange telegrams between Generalissimo [and] Quirino had demonstrated agreement upon need more active cooperative international efforts toward curbing international Communism in East Asia, Generalissimo accepted Quirino’s invitation visit Philippines. Discussions Baguio resulted agreement in principle on international action this field. Recommendation re implementation this decision will be left to technicians. Various names to be given proposed organ such as “Pacific Union” (discarded because it was not anticipated US, Canada or Australia would participate in initial stages) and “West Pacific Union” (ruled out because of Japan) were considered, but it was decided leave suggestion title [of] organ to technicians. Who should participate is also to be left to technicians although Korea is [Page 1167] to be included in preparatory stage, thus making nucleus countries China, Philippines and Korea.
Dr. Wang said there was realization initiative must be taken in Far East and that there must be demonstration of possibility success before hoped-for American participation and assistance could be expected. Proposal must definitely include some sort of military alliance or mutual assistance, he said. Also must have American support and hoped America good will toward Philippines and China and own considerations South Korea would have desired effect on American public opinion.
Contrary to information given me [by] other sources, he said it had not yet been decided whether Wu Tieh-cheng would go Japan and Korea. Idea behind Wu visit to Japan appears be fact he knew Mac-Arthur1 in Philippines and hopes secure his support proposed pact.
Sent Department Cantel 758, repeated Nanking 502, Shanghai 430, Taipei 63, Manila 20, Seoul 6.
- General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, Allied Powers in Japan since 1945, was military adviser to the Philippine Commonwealth, 1935, Field Marshal of the Philippine Army, 1936, and Commander, U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East, 1941.↩