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9/2/1948 - Manila; President Quirino by Albert Ravenholt

NOT FOR PU BLICATtOII INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS NS Tonghal Enroute anila Shanglai September IO8 Walte S Rogers Institute Current World Affairs P_ Fifth Avenue New York N Y Dear Iir Rogers On train Portland San Francisco I young Filipino preparing resign corulssion captain U S Array return toNanila teach plitical science while studied I mentioned expected anila asked thought could You three people President Elpidlo Quirlno Jose Laurel chief Japanese puppet Luis Taruc leads Hukbalahaps These three represent happening country Ny investlga tiohs stopped Nanila Unfortunately Taruc palns Cen Luzon confer followers fellow labor peasant leaders wereabsent their usual hangouts Laurel Is worth watching He again become power Islands But seems trying justify In letter I concentrate President thoughts actions reflects himself I asked Quirino fternoon later appointments He fresh Spencer Davis AP I walked hisprlvate study alacanan palace Davis query New York office wanted President question before excusing himself Quirino attitude tovard interviewers which invariably attracts nevspapermen He received cordially imuediately picked convesation That morning President received alarmed telegram ambassador Washington D C inquiring about AP report Hukbalahap peasant guerrillas killed constabulary forces flare fighting after recently ended O amnesty period criticized Davis level friendly manner As talked first impression clear conscience I approaching Huk problem obliquely social economic angle Although Huks haven surrendered their azesty succeeded It brought people their farms ecalcltrant elements hills And Huks pbllc heroes longer The weren klled engagement Theywere casualties inall skirmishesioutlyingaeas Then Davis turned leave QuiIno rmarked There thing which I avoid impression minds American investors people government stable Compare Philippines world compare favorably As Cuirino internal peace achieved reconstruction proceed The Hukbalahaps Peoples Anti Japanese Army Af Japanese invasion peasants Central I orgulzed selves sometimes avowed Counlst leadership fouEht enemy The found power ectify vongs in1icted peasants landovnerS The Huks AnBrican diected USAFFE guerrilla forces Philippines When Huk forme landlord servin rival guerrilla alone Juhgle trail peasant someties opponent And USAFFE retiated When Philippines liberated American leachers USAFFE efused ecognie Huks missed handouts given fighters Meanwhile elements Of USAFFE incorporated constabulary local munlcpal police forces The first president Philippine Republl Manul Roxas outlawed Huks launched campaign destroy force Futhe insure thids majority constitutional providing parity American business PhilIppne Roxas refused seven Congressmen elected Huks peasant alles The strangth Huks known Constabula estimates place Huk armed force somewhat than10000 dissatisfied peasantry By Roxas heart attack civil threat The spectacle Filipinos killing another aroused bitterness Islands Nqen Vice President Quirino succeeded power brother country Huk leaders The upshot aesty Huk forces surrende A political comproise worked which seated Taruc hissupporters Congress The failure Huks surrender their large numbers seems taceable longstanding dread Constabulary reund Japanese police unlts From discussion issues shifted President story He spoke obvious satisfaction achievement P 0mposi At tauEht school salary dollars month His mothe invested horse which later finance ventue Manila In voked th0ugh school Then civil service became property clerk Manila police office while studied Unveslty Philippines His classmates included Pesident Manual Roxas Jose Laurel After graduation young povince Elocos Su decided wanted Manuel QuezoH first leaders President Senate He became clerk Senate orking Quezon S private secetary That beginning publlc He apldly elected House Senateinl By136heheldthepremca binetposition Secretary Interior The retirement office fanly His three children mother andg2andmother Japanese machine gunnes attempted sheling Manila In first election Roxas formed Liberal Paty defeated Nationalist incumbent Serglo 0smea Qulrlno principal political asset spotless record during Japan He lived private pactice helped bother provide trans potatlon guerrillas Pactica every other leade including Roxas somehow worked Japanese Quirlno however lacked dynamic campaigning personality Roxas Qulrlno thoughts pointed future He feels peace order established Filipino people opportunity which unique Asia themselves He thinks demand industri ization And economist avocation definite plans He electric power keystone development At present commission United States negotiating million dollar WoId Bank The granted provlde present power needs serve experiment industrialization Future large scale development would depend availability outside funds The President social philosophy attitude formulas He wants break estates democratize economy But hampered funds divided allegiance party shaky administrative machine Outside opposition includes Catholic Church whicl holdings L ippues Superimposed problem reconslructio Even roughly billion ollars United States exicted through nnerous channels require nabional energy He salvage calls debris talents ablest remained under J apanese occupation The collaboration issue still The President feels U S Governuent miglt object feels willirly enemy In Novembe Quirino faces national election By needs bought party wealthier goups Jose Laurel opposing Candidate Laurel poplar includes students thiuk saved Japanese puppet armies As I about leave after I asked Quirlno accounted personal success He thought moment seemed sincerity You I concentrated being useful I deter And I wanted people I Sincely Albert RavenhOlt Reeeived York