Remarkable Denouncement Of The United States By Semi- Official Filipino Statement

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 October 1950, Page 5

Remarkable Denouncement Of The United States By SemiOfficial Filipino Statement

MANILA. Oct. 27 (Ree. 6 pn Office, in an official statement to< people of the United States. The statement said tha't in matters of* graft and corruption, “Filipinos are mere pikers compared with their more accomplished and eminently successful mentors, who have had, and still have, a vast Continent in which to base their operations.” The statement Is purported to be a set of observations on the report of a United States mission headed by Mr Daniel W. Bell, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. The Mission’s report has not yet been made public, but it is understood to recommend that th? Philippine Government should undertake drastic reforms to forestall a collapse of economy. The statement, although issued officially, was credited not to President Elpido Quirino, but to an unnamed commentator. The statement said: “What is not widely understood is that Philippine ‘bankruptcy and corruption’ have ah intimate relation to the American example in racketeering and to Insidious inspiration provided by a conspicuous consumption, otherwise known as the American standard of living. FILIPINOS LACK EXPERIENCE. “There is no question that Filipinos are inefficient all right—even in their grafting—due no doubt io a simple lack of sufficient experience. With more time and greater chances, they will yet. show they can equal, or even surpass, the stink familiar, and now taken for granted, in Washington, and such very proper exemplary centres of power, prosperity and culture.” The statement said that those who talked so glibly of United States money poured into the Philippines “rathole’’ seemed extra careful not to remember the thousands of millions of dollars worth of life and property the Filipinos paid for "the luxury of of welcoming General MacArthur’s return to their violated shores.’’ The statement added: “The FJJipinos are now getting it in the neck because they are not rich enough to cover up’l heir own stink, and be lofty and moral about it before a devastated and hungry world.” It added that the United Stales was so well endowed it should display

n).—The Philippines Presidential day. lashed out at the Press and a little more grace and modesty for the benefit of the sorely-distracted world. The United Slates Ambassador, Mr Myron Cohen, was astonished at the statement and mystified at the motives behind it. He said the Quirino Government had not yet received a copy of the report. President Truman, in Washington, expressed regret over the statement. He said the United States Government was trying desperately to work out a means of implementing aid recommendations to the Philippines. When the means had been worked out. the report would be made public. The Mission’s recommendations were submitted this month to Presi-i dent Truman. They are understood Io call for limited American aid to help the Philippine Government out of urgent financial difficulties. It ifc reported the Filipinos have been called on for a general overhauling of the Government and an administrative house cleaning. STATEMENT NOT AUTHORISED. Presided Quirino, after a long conference with the United Statps Ambassador, Mr Cohen, denied authorising the statement, and added: “Steps are being taken to take disciplinary action against the party responsible for this release. 1 ’ The Associated Press correspondent says Palace Press office identified Frederick Mangahas, Quirino's private secretary, as the author of the statement. Mangahas is reported to have said he obtained advance approval of the statement from “the highest authority.” Some observers feel the statement may have been inspired by certain administration leaders who do not relish the idea that the United States might insist upon supervising any further American aid to Philippines. These politicians feel the Philippines administration can dictate the terms under •.vt.i.h the islands ..Til accept American help, since such aid would be intended to preserve the democratic nation. Observers recall that, a large j art of American aid to Nationalist China four ' its way into the pockets of favoured friends, and fear repetition here if financial help is provided without supervision.

Western Union Cultural Identity Card.—A cultural identity card which has been recently instituted by the Brussels Treaty Organisation will give mutual facilities to nationals of each of the five Treaty Countries travelling for cultural purposes. The card carries particulars of the holder, his passport number, photograph, and an embossed stamp representing the Brussels Hotel de Ville. It will be valid for one year from the date of issue. This picture shows the Western Union Cultural Identity Card.