The Rotary Balita no. 714 (February 5, 1953)

"Can our people forget the bitterness and hatred towards the Japanese engendered by the last war, take stock of the radical changes in the international situation since the close of the last world war, take cognizance of the realities in the present situation in Asia and deal with our reparation claims against Japan without losing sight of the larger issue of peace and security in the Pacific Area?" This was the question posed by Lorenzo Sumulong in his speech before the Club. Sumulong made a thorough analysis of Churchill's Southeast Asia Defense Pact. He said that one of the purposes of Chur- chill's visit to the United States was to impress upon the incoming Eisenhower administration the need of forming as soon as possible a general defense plan for Asia similar to the North Atlantic Pact in Eu- rope. But John Foster Dulles, Eisenhower's Secretary of State, was of the opinion that before such a general defense plan for Asia can be brought about, Britain must recon- sider her present policy of giving recognition to Red China. Dulles believes that as long as Britain recognizes the Red government in Peking while the United States re cognizes the Nationalist government in Taipei, it would be impossible for the two countries to work out together a general defense plan for Asia. Sumulong believed that Churchill's plans for the defense of Southeast Asia is excellent from the standpoint of British interests. It I would be an excellent plan for the defense of Malaya, particularly the naval base of Singapore, the loss of which to Britain would be disastrous to her militarily and commercially as proven during the last World War. "In this Pact, the Philippines is excluded," Sumulong said. "But as a Filipino and as a Southeast Asian, I consider that this plan is disappointing and unacceptable." He continued that geographically, racially and culturally, the Philippines has more right to be regarded as a part of Southeast Asia than any of the six countries proposed for membership therein by Churchill except Thailand. Senator Sumulong cited that in case Malaya or any member of the Southeast Asia Pact is attacked, the United States would have to continue to the rescue and make use of American bases in the Philippines; whereas, in case of attack on the Philippines, none of the members of Churchill's Southeast Asia except the United States would be obligated to come to our rescue. He stated that Dulles and Churchill, as foreign policymakers of the two most outstanding western democracies of today, are both agreed on the need for establishing a general defense plan for Asia at the earliest practicable date. They differ only as to the method by which this can be achieved. On the one hand, Dulles considers British recognition of the Communist government in the Chinese mainland as a stumbling block to the realization of a general defense plan for Asia. Sumulong further stated that the reaction of Dulles to Churchill's proposal for a general defense plan in Asia should be of great interest to the Filipinos. It cannot now be doubted that the general sentiment of our people and their present leaders, regardless of party affiliations, is in favor of a regional defense plan for all nations in the Pacific Area who believe in correcting economic and social evils through democratic processes and achieving social justice for the common man without preaching revolution and violence and without suppression of fundamental human freedoms. In fact, when the bilateral defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States was debated on the floor of the Senate, some opposition senators spoke and voted against it because they wanted a Pacific Pact right away instead of a bilateral defense arrangement which they considered to be inadequate. He gave three factors for the radical change in the balance of power in Asia in favor of Communism: (1) The Soviet Union was able to develop and explode an atomic bomb of its own, (2) the Chinese Communists and obtained full control over the Chinese mainland, and (3) mutual assistance pact was concluded between the Soviet Union and Red China. "If we agree to associate with Japan as a member of a Pacific Pact," Sumulong said, "the logical thing for us to do is to ratify the Japanese Peace Treaty without any further delay as soon as our negotiators and the Japanese negotiators had agreed on what is the reasonable amount of reparations to be paid to us under Art. 14 of the treaty." He added that any Pacific Pact, similar to the North Atlantic Pact, would mean that attack on any member would be regarded as an attack on all. He claimed that the United States will not approve of a Pacific Pact which would exclude Japan as a member. If we agree to associate with Japan in a Pacific Pact, it would mean that an attack on Japan would be regarded as an attack on us and vice-versa. But can the Filipinos let bygones be bygones? The answer to this question will depend whether or not our government should follow up its proposal for a Pacific Pact to supplement or perhaps replace our bilateral defense pact with the United States. Earlier, Miss Elsa Palma Gil contributed vocal solos. Gene Puyat was the finesmaster. For the construction of a new factory in Mandaluyong, Jimmy Norton was fined P20.00. Vic Rufino who went abroad with Vice-President Lopez' party and failed to at tend Rotary meetings while away, was fined P20.00. Romy Gustilo who acquired a beautiful house and moved to it without house- warming, was fined P10.00. Paulino Garcia and Doc Ayesa were each fined P10.00. Danding Romualdez, for keeping a binocular in his penthouse was fined P10.00. The Businessman of the Year, Earl Carroll, and the owner of the Taxicab Firm of the Year, Paquing Benitez, were each fined P100.00. Tiving Lovina was fined P10.00 for his picture that appeared in the Manila Chronicle A one-minute silent prayer was observed for the repose of the soul of Yan Yanzon's mother.