894A.20/12–2149: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Philippines (Cowen) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—7 a. m.]
2900. As Department will have surmised, “high Malacañan source” was President Quirino (Deptel 1531, December 19) who, however, asked correspondents not use his name.
President’s statements were elicited by question whether officials Chinese Government would be afforded sanctuary if they were forced leave Taiwan. President replied in affirmative but went on point out reasons why he believed they would not have to leave Taiwan. Times, Herald and Chronicle in handling story attributed to “high Philippine Government source” statement that US had lately shipped large quantities military materiel to Formosa but did not go so far as the news story which Department quoted in reftel saying US had informed Philippine Government “it will take positive action to counteract Communist threat to Formosa”, nearest approach latter statement which appeared Manila press was assertion of Chronicle that high Government officials declared US shipments war supplies indicate determination of American Government take positive action in warding off onslaught communism in Asia. (Incidentally, local press gave approximately equal play to item with December 13 Washington dateline citing explanatory statements Michael McDermott.72)
American correspondents queried me immediately after their interview with President and I informed that I knew nothing about alleged recent US shipments arms aid to Taiwan. However, Embassy immediately endeavored ascertain Quirino’s sources information. We [Page 451] found impressions correspondents ranged from those of Boguslav who gathered from President that his source was US Government to those INS correspondent that President cited New York Herald Tribune correspondent Dorothy Brandon who allegedly passed through Formosan port some months ago. Our efforts resolve this divergence opinion were unsuccessful but I have strong suspicion based on statements made to Melby73 and myself by Chinese Ambassador Chen Chihping that he was President’s principal source. President Quirino is prone sound off without checking his facts and to state as fact that which he wishes believe, and I am inclined think his credulity and wishful thinking also were responsible for character statements made during interview in question.
I have recently had occasion warn President about incorrect statements involving US, and I December 20 had meeting with US correspondents requesting them assist keeping incorrect stories involving US to minimum by checking them with me. I shall again raise matter with President Quirino soon as opportunity presents further to impress upon him undesirability his releasing misinformation such as that involved in December 12 story.
Sent Department, repeated Taipei 22, Hong Kong for telCan 63.
- At press conference on December 12, a question was raised regarding a story from Manila that the United States was taking positive action to counteract any threats of Formosa falling into Communist hands. Mr. McDermott replied: “I don’t know what that is based on. I have contacted the Department people and I am unable to find anybody who has given any such information to anybody in the Philippines”. When asked whether the story was true, McDermott replied: “I have nothing to say on Formosa”.↩
- John F. Melby, Officer in Charge of Philippine Affairs, representing the Department of State for preliminary discussions regarding proposed Mutual Defense Assistance Program with the Philippines.↩