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 combine and unite to have an integrated e to resist militant communism in all its various forms. He said that the modern defense treaty recently negotiated between the Philippines and the United States is both an appropriate and a national alliance. "There are those in the Philippines today 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 the good will of the parties to that party. Unless there is mutual goodwill and mutual benefit, any treaty may become merely scrap of paper. We have good reason to remember vividly the treaties conceived Hitler and flagrantly violated by him whenever it seemed to suit his convenience." He traced the American history a las dred and thirty years ago when the military power of the young American republic was much less than that of the Philippines day, and yet in 1823 the President of the United States boldly announced a policy 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 intent of the Pact is crystal clear. I am convinced, as surely as I stand here before you, that the United States will stand firmly beside the Filipino people against any aggressor whatsoever that threatens the defense and security of the democratic sovereign republic of the Philippines. He continued further, "I believe firmly, and as the senior United States military commander in the Philippines assure you, that I, and the military available to me, are pledged to the defense of the Philippines." Earlier, Arthur K. Watson of the international Business Machines World Corporation, gave a 10-minute talk. Willie Chavez, radio singer, impressed the Rotarians with the tremendous volume expression he displayed when he referred to "Old Man River" and two other renditions.