The Rotary Balita no. 753 (September 9, 1954)

Foreign Undersecretary Raul Manglapus address- ing the Manila Rotary Club on the recent events in Indo-China and Korea. On his left is Club President Gene Puyat. Raul Manglapus, undersecretary of foreign affairs, on Sept. 2, told Rotarians at their weekly luncheon-meeting that the recent developments in Indo-China closely following the Korean war "com-pel us to believe that communism is content with nothing less than the complete domination of Asia. and the Pacific." To ignore the existing threat of aggression would be at our mortal peril, he warned, for "it is not just nationality at stake but humanity itself." Manglapus deplored the non-participation of the Colombo powers in the current SEATO conference in Manila. These countries, he added, may not share our views of international communism, but there is no reason why they should not sit down and discuss a practicable collective security organization. Tracing the formation of the SEATO from an increasing concern for the future peace of South- east Asia and the Southwest Pacific, and a desire to arrive by common agreement at effective gua- rantees of that peace and security, the foreign un- dersecretary explained that such anxiety stems. from two facts. "Individually, the nations in this area are in position to resist a determined aggressor, lapus said. "And even collectively, they can defend themselves without the help of the Gr Powers," he added. Manglapus also stressed the fact that the government is losing no opportunities to take all st to ensure our future, developing what we h and by seeking wider cooperation among the nations of the area.