The Rotary Balita no. 706 (October 9, 1952)

"The basic responsibility for the defense of the Philippines rests on the government of the Philippines and the Filipino people," said Rear Admiral Richard H. Cruzen, commander of the U. S. Naval Forces in the Philippines. Cruzen continued that the primary requisite for the defense of any nation is the will of that nation to fight in defense of its homeland. This does not mean, he said, only the will of the Armed Forces to fight, but includes the will of the civilian population to make the necessary sacrifice and to render the utmost support to the war effort of which the country is capable. He claimed that the Philippines is fully meeting this basic requirement as is being demonstrated in her fight against the Huks and on the battlefields of Korea. He praised the Filipino soldiers for their fighting spirit as displayed in Bataan and Corregidor and the undying will of the Filipino people to resist the enemy by every possible means as shown in the last war. The admiral admitted that today the forces of militant communism are so great, so powerful, that no free nation can hope to service by its own efforts alone. He called all democratic nations to bine and unite to have an integrated to resist militant communism in all its farious forms. He said that the m defense treaty recently negotiated before the Philippines and the United States both an appropriate and a national alignment. "There are those in the Philippines to who ask how effective is this treaty- does it in reality mean? This and like other treaty which may involve such tremendous consequences, is worth only good will of the parties to that party. Is less there is mutual goodwill and mutual benefit, any treaty may become merely a scrap of paper. We have good reason t remember vividly the treaties conceived Hitler and flagrantly violated by him whenever it seemed to suit his convenience." He traced the American history a la hundred and thirty years ago when the military power of the young American republic way much less than that of the Philippines day, and yet in 1823 the President of the United States boldly announced a poli later to become known as the Monroe Doctrine. He stated that today the Philippines has an ally, a powerful nation, that he knew is a good friend of the Filipinos and was confident that the Filipino people feel the same way. He believed that regardless of the text of the mutual defense pact, regardless of its specific language, it is a natural alliance concluded between two countries of good faith. Cruzen said that questions had been asked-what the Mutual Defense Pact mean. Is it a rubber check that will bounce the first time it is tested or is it a valid instrument forming the essential basis for effective planning and when the chips are down for effective military action? He repeated in part what he said at the military cemetery at Fort McKinley on Memorial Day this year: "To me the true in- tent of the Pact is crystal clear. I am convinced, as surely as I stand here before you, that the United States will stand firmly be- side the Filipino people against any aggressor whatsoever that threatens the evidence and security of the demon sovereign republic of the Philippines. He continued further, "I belie firmly, and as the senior United States visitary commander in the Philippines assure you, that I, and the military available to me, are pledged to the of the Philippines." Earlier, Arthur K. Watson of the in national Business Machines World Corporation, gave a 10-minute talk. Willie Chavez, radio singer, impressed Rotarians with the tremendous volume expression he displayed when he related "Old Man River" and two other renders.