VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.

Recto

6 Our Mendicant Foreign Policy

AfterhisgeneralcritiqueofourAsianforeignpolicyin1949,Rectobegantofocusonthe foreignpolicyofPresidentQuirino.HisspeechattheUniversityofthePhilippinesin1951can beconsideredaseminalundertakinginthisfield.Althoughclearlystillavictimofcoldwar thinking,Rectopropoundedthethesisthatforeignpolicymustbebasedonnationalselfinterest. Despitesomeerrorsofassessmentofworlddevelopmentsoftheperiod,thisspeechcanbe consideredaclassic.ItistheprecursorofclearerdissertationsonthesubjectasRectorefined hisnationalistthinking.Inthelaterspeeches,Rectowoulddroppreviousdemandsforequalityof treatmentwiththeEuropeansandomitpraisefortheAmericans,bothofwhichwerenecessary during the Cold War days particularly because he still had not shed the ambitions of a conventionalpolitician.
AddressbeforetheUniversityofthePhilippinesgraduatingclass,April17,1951.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THE CONTROVERSY* THAT attended my selection as your speaker for this solemn occasion, there is general expectation of an address on the freedom of speech, or on the historic liberties and academic privileges of universities, those sanctuaries of learning which not even the king'sconstablescouldtrespass. ButIdonothavetospeaktoyouonfreedom.Byyourvigorousanduncompromising actionintheveryrecentpast,youhaveprovedthatyouunderstandfreedom,thatyou lovefreedom,andthatyouarereadytodefendfreedomevenagainstthosewhohave swornupontheConstitutiontomakefreedomalivingreality. NordoIseeanypurposeinspeakingoffreedomforthebenefitofthosemisguided elements,dissidentsfromourdemocraticidealsinthehighestplacesandofficesofthe Republic.ItwereidletorecalltheConstitutiontothosewhoreaditsprovisionsonlyin
*RectoalludestothefactthatPresidentQuirinohadobjectedtohisselectionbytheuniversityas commencementspeaker. 1

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto termsofpower,andwhounderstandpoweronlyintermsofvanityandselfadvancement. Indeedtheproblemoffreedomforustodayembracesmorethanthecampusofone universityorthepersonalityofasingleman.Itistheproblemofoursurvivalasanation. Forthearmisticeof1945isalreadyrunningoutitscourse,evenbeforethepeacetreaties havebeenwritten;andonceagainthewarflagshavebeenraised,andthemultitudesare beingexcitedtomutualfears,mutualhatreds,andloyaltiestothedeath,whilethetanks rollofftheassemblylines,andmysteriousweaponsexplodeindesertlandsinarehearsal ofthefinalcataclysm.Thearmies,andthefleets,andtheairarmadasofthegreatpowers areonceagainonthemove,underbannersidenticallyinscribedwiththeritualwordsof democracyandliberation,andsmallnationslikeoursmustlookforshelteramidthe gatheringstorm. IrecallamemorableeventthattookplaceintheoldcampusofthisUniversityin 1941.Thousandsofuniversityandcollegecadetsweremarshaledbytheirinstructorsin animpressivemilitarydemonstrationofloyaltytothesovereigntyoftheUnitedStatesof America. Noonethencouldforetellthetragicendoftheparade.Therewasnohintofdisaster inthestrawhelmetsandtheclumsy19thcenturyrifles,noechoofdoominthesteady rhythm of feet that would soonbe dragging along the desolate road from Bataan to Capas.TrueitisthathalfwayacrosstheworldthemadgeniusofGermanywastearing up two continents and their seas and skies, while nearer home unbridled Japanese ambition was engrossed in its gigantic task of slaughtering or enslaving the Chinese people; butthesevastexplosionscouldscarcelybeheardabovethepatrioticexhortationsand theintoxicatingmartialmusicontheoldU.P.campus.Thefactsofmodernwarhadnot yetprevailedagainstafieldmarshal'scheerfulillusionthatthecostinbloodandtreasure ofinvadingandconqueringthePhilippineswouldbesoenormousthatnopoweronearth wouldundertakesohazardousandfoolishanadventure. Quezon'sFears Onlyonemanonthatcampussuspectedthetruththatafledglingairforcewithout planes, a naval patrol with three mosquito boats, and illarmed conscripts with three monthsoftraininginvegetablegardening,couldnotlongresisttheoverwhelmingimpact of a firstclass power. That man was the President of the Commonwealth, and
2

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto contemporaryhistoryrecords,that,asheaddressedtheyouthfulranksthatday,Manuel Quezonhadtearsinhiseyesbecauseheforesawthebitterdestinythatawaitedthem., His premonitions were confirmed when shortly thereafter we found ourselves engulfedinthedisasterofJapaneseaggressionandAmericanimprovidence.Tornfrom hispeopleandtakentoanunwantedrefugeinthetunnelsofCorregidor,hewatchedwith vexationanddespairwhiletheflamboyantplansofhisfieldmarshalcollapsedindefeat andslaughter.WhennoaidcamefromAmericaforthebattereddivisionsofFilipinoson thefrontlines,exceptpromisesofredemptionandafewwellchosenwordsofapproval andencouragement,thebitterrealizationdawneduponManuelQuezonthattheFilipinos werenotexpendableintheinterestofanynationandshouldnotbecomeinvolvedandbe sacrificedinthequarrelsofthegreatpowers. Tenyears havepassedsincethenWehaveproclaimed theindependence thatwe believedwouldbethebestandsurestmeansofguaranteeingourinternationalsafety.We haveestablishedafreeRepublictocontrolourrelationswithotherstatesasourown interest,guidedbyjustice,shallcounsel. TheTestofIndependence Itisinthiscontrolofforeignpolicythatwemayfindthedecisivedifferencebetween theCommonwealthandtheRepublic,theonesignificantgainthatweexpectedtomake in movingfromautonomytoindependence. Freedomofspeech,ofthepress,andof religion,selfrule,dueprocessoflaw,socialjusticealltheserightswealreadyenjoyed undertheenlightenedimperialismoftheAmericanpeople,andperhapsweenjoyedthem toagreaterdegreeduringtheCommonwealththanintheseuncertainandambiguous times of indefinite detentions, private armies, fiat and farcical elections, de facto governments,andopenrebellion.Whatwesoughtandwhatweexpectedtogainwith national independence was the right to give our own national interest, security, and welfaretheprimacyinourloyalties,services,andsacrifices.Nowthat1951takesthe shapeof1941,andtheclockturnsbacktostrikealarmsofanotherwar,wemaywellask ourselveswhatwehavedonewithourindependenceinthelastfiveyears. Forunhappily,thetimeshavenotchanged,andsmallnationsmuststillpaytheprice ofquarrelsbetweengreatpowers.Alreadyweseebeforeoureyesareenactmentofthe tragediesofthelastconflict,when,inEuropeandinAsia,thesmallnationsthatbecame thebattlegroundsofthegreatwerecompelledtoenduretheidenticalhorrorsofconquest andliberation.Now,inKorea,ithasbecomeevidentthatthetechniquesofwarmayhave
3

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto improved, buttheethics remain thesameandthe resultingdesolation has onlybeen compounded.* TheKoreanExperience TheunfortunateKoreanshavesofarundergonenotonebuttwoconquestsand liberations.Fourtimestherivalarmieshavecrossedthefamousparallel.Fourtimesthe capitalofSeoulhassufferedtheprocessofcompetitiveliberation.Forthoseofuswho experiencedtheliberationofManilain1945,wheremoreliveswerelostandmore destructionresultedfromtheactionoftheliberationarmiesthanatthehandsofthe maddenedanddesperateenemy,itisnotdifficulttobelievethatwhenSeoulwas liberatedforthefourthtimelastmonth,onlyonefifthoftheoriginalpopulationofone millionandahalfremained,andtheywereonlytheold,thesick,andthechildren. ButthegreatestcasualtiesoftheKoreans,wecanbesure,havebeennotmaterialbut spiritual.Reducedtobeggary,inflamedwithhatredandthethirstforrevenge,markedin oneanother'seyes,aswiththemarkofCain,withthestigmaofSovietsatellitesand Americanpuppets,theKoreanswillnotknowpeaceintheirowncountryforgenerations. HoworwhentheprodigiousconflictinKoreacanbebroughttosomekindofconclusion cannotbeforeseen,butonethingiscertain,thatwhentherivalarmiesstriketheirtents andgomarchinghome,nothingwillremainoftheKoreanpeopleexceptafewferocious survivors,huntingoneanotheramongtheghostlyruinsoftheirnativeland. Whathavewedonewithourindependencetomakesurethatourcountrywillnot again become the battleground of foreign wars? What have we done with our independencetomakesurethatourpeoplewillnotagainbedesertedintheinterestof higherstrategyandmilitarynecessity,andlefttofondlethehardcomfortofanother"I shallreturn"? To find the answer to these questions, which are the test of the validity of our independence,andoftheworthofourforeignpolicy,wemustbeginbyexaminingour presentworldposition. StateoftheNation We are a small weak nation surrounded by the most populous races on earth, Christians among nonChristians, westernized in Asia, conservative in the face of a
*ThisspeechwasdeliveredwhenthewarintheKoreanpeninsulawasragingbetweenNorthand South. 4

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto continentalrevolution,clingingtoahighstandardoflivingamidperenniallystarving masses, and yet unable in an age of industrialization even to feed, clothe, and arm ourselves. Weak in numbers, we have compounded our weakness with disunity. Poor in developedresourcesandthereforeunderthenecessityofpoolingourstrength,wehave plungedintoafratricidalstruggleforwhoseprosecutionthegovernmentmustwastefully onethirdofitsrevenue,andwhichnotonlyhasrentnationalsolidarity,butalsohas worked incalculable harm on the nation's economy.* Still worse, each faction in the conflict has openly proclaimed its adherence to one or the other of the two great antagonistsinanotherworldwarwhichtheybelieveinevitable,sothatifwarcomesitis acertaintythatweshallbecomeinvolvedinthemostcruelandsanguinarymanner,for ourownpeoplearealreadyset,brothersagainstbrothers,withunforgivinghatreds. WarmongerswithoutArmies Unabletodefendourselvesagainstforeignaggression,wehavenotonlyweakened ourselvesfurtherwithdomesticstrifebutalsogivencauseandprovocationforattack.We havebecomewarmongerswithoutarmies,bymakingboastfulchallenges,threatsand denunciations. And when our last remaining hope for peace and security lay in the continuedconcertofnations,andinthemaintenanceofinternationalunderstanding,so thatallpeopleswouldhaveequalrightstojusticeandsecurityunderthejointguarantee of the great powers, we have helped to disunite the United Nations and even found satisfactioninitsconversionintoaforumforthepropagandaofpowerpolitics. But what is beyond comprehension is that, having fought three wars for our independence,wehavesurrendereditwithoutafight;andwhilevociferatingaboutthe realityofournationalfreedom,wehaveactedasifwedidnotwantitorbelieveinit.We aretiedtothedollarwithouthavinganydollars.Wecontinuetobedependentuponthe American market without having retained any permanent right of access to it. We continuetobeequallydependentuponAmericanprotectionwithoutanyrealguarantee thatitwillbetimelyandadequatelyextended. Thetragedyofourforeignpolicyisthat,beinganAsianpeopletenthousandmiles awayfromtheeffectivecenterofAmericanpower,ourbehaviourhasbeenthatofa *RectoherereferstotheHukrebellionwhichhadspreadfromCentralandSouthernLuzontoother partsofthecountryleadingtothesuspensionofthewritofhabeascorpus.
5

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto bananarepublicintheCaribbean.Wehavefeduponthefancythatwearesomehowthe favoritechildrenofAmerica,andthatshe,drivenbysomestrangepredilectionforour people,willneverforsakeusnorsacrificeourintereststoherownortothoseofothers forherownsake. Yet,thoughwemayfeelthedeepestadmirationandrespectfortheAmericanpeople, fortheirsenseoffairnessandtheirspiritofselfcriticism,theirloveoflibertyandjustice, theirpatrioticpride,theirdeepandconstantconcernfortheirworlddestiny,andtheir thoroughnessintheenforcementoftheirrights,stillweshouldnotbelieve,andIthinkit iswrongforustobelieveandtoactasifwebelieved,thatAmericanpolicycanever haveanyobjectiveotherthanthesecurity,welfare,andinterestoftheAmericanpeople. IfwelivedwithintheorbitofAmericanstrategicsecurityinthewesternhemisphere, if the Philippines were situated, let us say, like Nicaragua, Alaska, Hawaii, or even Canada,wemightsafelybelievethatAmericawouldneverabandonus,norallowustq fall,evenforashortwhile,intoenemyhands,becauseshewouldbecommittedbyher own vital strategic interest to defend us even beyond our own ability, readiness, or willingnesstodefendourselves.Whethershelovedusornot,whethersheapprovedofus ornot,whetherornotwewerecorruptandinefficientandotherwiseillbehaved,she would havetostandbyus forherownsakeas shewouldhavetostandbyPeron's Argentina orTrujillo's Dominican Republic in theevent ofawarin defiance ofthe Monroedoctrine. Indeed, how many problems would be solved for all of us, how many anxieties allayed,'howmanyperplexitiesavoided,iftheDivineGeographerhadonlyplacedour archipelagointhegulfoflowerCaliforniaorontheAtlanticseaboardoftheUnited States.ThenwemightindulgewithperfectsafetyourfondnessfortheAmericanwayof life,andbeardtheSovietlionwithtrenchantphrases,ortwistthetailoftheChinese dragonwithprovocativeepigrams,intheassurancethatweshouldneverbecalledto account.ThenwemightsleepeasilyofnightsinthewarmembraceofAmericanstrategic necessity.

GunboatDiplomacy Andfortheculminationofdesires,whatkeenjoyandunalloyedpleasuresomeof ourcountrymenwouldfeelifwewereliving,notintheeraofAsianrevolutionand

6

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto Sovietexpansion,theatomicbombandtheannoyingECArequirements, *butinsteadin theeraofAmerica's"manifestdestiny"anddollarandBigStickdiplomacy!Thosewere the days when, to take an enviable example, the United States landed Marines in NicaraguafortheamazingpurposeofcompellingthereluctantNicaraguanstoaccepta largeAmericanloan.ThosewerethedayswhenanAmericanAdmiral,senttoHaitito protectAmericanlivesandproperties,couldreporttotheAmericansecretaryofthenavy that,"unlessotherwisedirected,"hewasreadytoallowtheHaitianCongresstoelecta presidentacceptabletotheUnitedStates. Unfortunately, our preferences have been disappointed by so prosaic a thing as geography,andsoindelicateatopicasrace.TheCreator,inHisinscrutablewisdom, gaveabrownpigmenttoourskins,andbroughtforthourpeopleinthelittoralofAsia.It is therefore illusion to believe that America has the same strategic obligations to a CaribbeanrepublicastoadistantarchipelagoacrosstheexpanseofthePacific,fairly exposedtoenemyconquest;whiletobelievethatAmerica,oranyothergreatpower,for that matter, in the terrible crisis of war, will, under the imperative urge for self preservation,eversacrificeherownsecurityandinteresttoidealismortosentimental attachments,istomisunderstandthebiologicallawswhichdeterminethecourseofaction of any great power in war or in peace, and to ignore the categorical imperatives of internationalbehaviour. NationalInterest The first and most fundamental of those principles and imperatives is that the objectiveofanyforeignpolicyisnationalinterest.Thishasbeenunquestionablytrueof England,whetherruledbyToriesorSocialists,ofCzaristRussiaandSovietRussia,of Bismarck's German Empire and Hitler's Third Reich, of the America of the first RooseveltandtheAmericaofHarryTruman. Itmaybearguedthattheinterestsofallfreepeoplesmustbethesame.Thatisa convenientbutdeceptivegeneralization.Totakeonlyonlyexample,theUnitedStates and the United Kingdom are the main partners in the North Atlantic Alliance, yet EnglandconsideredittohernationalinteresttorecognizetheCommunistgovernmentof China,whileAmericaconsidersittohernationalinteresttowithholdsuchrecognition. *ThisreferstotheEconomicCooperationAdministration,whichduringthisperiodhandledU.S.aid
andliketheIMFandUSAIDtodaylaiddowncertainconditionstobeimplementedbythePhilippine administration. 7

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto ArethePhilippines andtheUnited States toberegarded asanexception tothis generalruleofinternationalrelations?Theunhappyexperiencesofourrecentpast,the conflictingrequirements oftheprimitivelawofselfpreservation,andtheelementary obligationsofnationalindependence,wouldsuggestanegativeanswer;andweneednot gobeyondthelatesteventstofindconfirmation. TheunanimoussentimentofourpeopleisthattheJapanesemustbemadetopayfor theircrimesinthePhilippines,andmustbedeprivedofthemeanstorepeatthesecrimes. ButtheproposedJapanesepeacetreaty, draftedbythepersonalrepresentativeofthe AmericanPresident,AmbassadorJohnFosterDulles,leavesnodoubtthattheAmerican interestrequirespreciselytheopposite.Wehavebeenasked,inveiledterms,topermit Japaneserearmament,andtorecognizethatJapan"lacksthecapacity"to"makeadequate reparations"for"wardamages."Wehavebeenreprimandedforourunseemlyinsistence uponthesereparations,andremindedthattheywouldultimatelyhavetobepaidbyan alreadyoverburdenedAmericantaxpayer.Wehavesecuredatokenconcessioninthe formofavaguepromisethattheissueisnotclosed,andisstillsubjecttoanexchangeof views,butthedrafttreatycarriestheclearwarningthat,ifwedonotsignwithinnine monthsafterratificationbyJapan,thenAmericawillenforcethetreatybyherself,and leaveustowhistleforourcredits. PrimordialObjectiveofUSPolicy Surelynomoreconclusiveevidenceofdiversityofinterestscanbefound;surelyno strongerproofcanbeadducedfromtheprinciplethattheAmericaninterestis.andmust betheprimordialobjectiveofAmericanpolicy.ItmaynotbetothePhilippineinterestto allowtherestorationofJapanesehegemonyinAsia,butitistotheAmericaninterest,as openly affirmed by John Foster Dulles, to rebuild Japan as America's principal ally againstCommunisminthispartoftheworld. Yetourforeignpolicywasconductedfromtheverybeginning,andisbeingpursued, ontheerronousassumptionofanidentityofAmericanandFilipinointerests,ormore correctly,ofthedesirability,andeventhenecessity,ofsubordinatingourintereststo thoseofAmerica.Thus,onthefourthofJuly1946itwasannouncedthatourforeign policy wouldbetofollowinthewakeofAmerica. * Wehave,indeed,followed.We followedAmericaoutofSpainandbackagain;wefollowedAmericainheraimless pilgrimageintheHolyLand,fromJewto,ArabandArabtoJew,astheAmericanneed *ThiswasthepronouncementofPresidentRoxasinhisinauguralspeechonJuly4,1946.
8

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto for AraboilandtheAmericanadministration's desireforJewishvotes dictated;** we recognized the independence of Indonesia when America did, and not one moment before.IntheworldparliamentoftheUnitedNations,itisnomoredifficulttopredict thatthePhilippineswillvotewiththeAmericanUnion,thanthattheUkrainewillvote with theSovietUnion.Americanpolicyhasfoundnomoreeloquent spokesmanand zealousadvocate,andRussianpolicynoloudercriticandmoreresourcefulopponent, thanthePhilippines.Americansmaydisagreeviolentlywiththeirownforeignpolicy,but ithasnobettersupportersthantheFilipinos. FollowingAmerica WehavefollowedAmericaeveninourdomesticaffairs.Wehavefollowedevery changerungbytheBellActandtheBellReport.WearefollowingJUSMAGaswe followedPHILRYCOMandAFWESPAC.NowadaysanyAmericanAmbassadortothe Philippinesmaybegiven,withoutincongruence,theconcurrenttitleofGovernor General,HighCommissionerorProconsul,towhomthePresidentofthisRepublic himselfmustgohumblytoapologizeinpersonforanoffensivepressrelease.***Forits part,wehaveseenourCongress,sincethefourthMondayofJanuary,engrossedinthe singulartaskofenactingintolawtherecommendationsofanAmericaneconomicsurvey mission.Organizedpressurehasbeenbroughttobearwithillconcealedimpatienceto stampedethepassageofthedesiredlegislation,andwhentheSenate,seizingthe opportunitytoextortfromareluctantadministrationthoseelectoralreformswhich generalopinionhadvehementlydemandedtosavePhilippinedemocracy,withheld approvaloftherecommendedmeasuresuntiltheinfamoussystemofblockvotinghad beenabolished,itwascensuredandcondemnedevenbythesocalledindependentpress. WearetoldbythehistorianToynbeethattheGreekStoicphilosopherCleanthes prayedthegodsforgracetoobeytheircommandsofhisownwillandwithoutflinching, forevenifheshouldquailandrebel,hewouldhavetofollowjustthesame.This,it appears,isthesameprayer,thatourlatterdayGreeksintheadministration,notbearing butexpectinggifts,mustraisedailytoCapitolHill. LossofLeverage **ThePhilippinedelegationtotheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNationschangeditspositiononthe
partitionofPalestineinlinewiththatoftheUnitedStates. ***RectoreferstotherumoredcallofPresidentQuirinoonAmbassadorMyronCowenwithwhomhe wasatodds.

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto Whomarewetoblameforthiscuriousprocessoflegislationthroughforeigncontrol, thisunprecedentedsurrenderofthemostcherishedprivilegesofanindependentstate? CertainlywecannotandweshouldnotblametheUnitedStates.Itisnottheirfaultifwe have failed to understand the rights, and are incapable of discharging the duties, of independence.Itisnottheirfaultifwefindourselvesonthevergeoffinancialcollapse, andmustdependonAmericanaidforsurvival.Itisnottheirfaultifwehavenotlearned thevirtuesofselfhelpandselfreliance,andmustbebulliedeventoenactaminimum wagelawforthebenefitofourownworkers.* Whenwearesodishonest,inept,andprodigal,thatwecannotrunagovernmenton theresourcesofthepotentiallyrichestandmostdemocraticallyschooledpeopleinAsia, andmustbegconstantlyforsubsidies,thentheUnitedStateshastherighttoseetoitthat thedollarstheylendarenotdissipatedinextravagance,purloinedbymalefactorsinhigh office,ormisspentonfraudulentelections,andthat,inreturnfortheirassistance,they shallhavethefinalsayonourforeignpolicyandreceivetheservicesofourdiplomatsas theirspokesmenandpressrelationsofficers. WemaycomplainthattheUnitedStateshasdrivenahardbargain;thatwehaveno security of any continued assistance; that, even if we should now receive the first installmentoffifteenmilliondollarsoutofthetotaloftwohundredandfiftymillion recommendedbytheBellMission,theAmericanCongressmaystillrefusetoappropriate theadditionalfiftymillion dollars proposedfor1952,andtheremaining instalments, evenifweshouldbeable,withourbillionpesodebt,tomatchtheECAassistancedollar fordollar,astheplanrequires.** WemayarguethattheUnitedStateshaslavisheduponJapan,theirformersworn enemyandpresentobsequiousward,atleasttwobilliondollarsasunconditionallyasthe termsofhersurrender;thatIndia,whohasrefusedtofollowAmerica'sleadintheUnited Nationsandhaspersistedinacourseofneutrality,wasvotedbytheAmericanSenatean enormousgrantofdesperatelyneededgrain,alsounconditionally;andthatSpain,who retainsaregimewhichAmericahasheretoforeconsideredunfriendlyanddistasteful,and even Yugoslavia, who actually has a Communist dictatorship, can both expect large subsidiesjustasunconditionally,oratleastwithoutthesurrenderofanyoftheessential *TheminimumwagelawwaspassedinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheQuirinoFoster
Agreement. **ThesamethingmaybesaidaboutthesocalledrentalsforU.S.basesandtheconditionalitiesofthe IMF. 10

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto attributesofatrulyindependentstate. ButCommunistYugoslaviaissaidtohavethebestarmyineasternEuropeoutside theIronCurtain,andherTitoistrebellionagainsttheKremlinmustbeencouragedand maintained;SpainhastheonlyeffectivestandingarmyinwesternEuropeandareligious hatredofCommunism,andshemustnotbeallowedtodriftintoanothercivilwardueto economicdistresses;India,withhervastpopulation,leadsthenewnationsofAsiaupona courseofcompromisewithCommunism,andshemustbecourtedandwon;andJapan hasbeenmarkedfortheroleofAmerica'smostvaluableallyagainstCommunismin Asia,andmustthereforeberestoredtoindustrialhealth,militaryvigor,andinternational prestige. Butwhathavewetoofferonourpart?WhathasAmericatoloseifsheoffendsan administrationthatcannotsurvivewithouthersupport?WhathasAmericatogainby accommodating an administration that, because of its inherent impotence, is already irrevocablycommittedtoherside? MendicantForeignPolicy Abankruptadministrationmustnecessarilyhaveaforeignpolicyofmendicancy;and itisinevitablethatitshouldinviteforeigninterventiontodowhatitcannotdoforitself. Whenagovernmentcannotcountontheunitedsupportofitsownpeople,thenitmust unavoidablyhaverecoursetothesupportofaforeignpower;andbecausebeggarscannot bechoosers,wecanbesafelyignored,takenforgranted,dictatedto,andmadetowaitat thedoor,hatinhand,togoinonlywheninvited. Unamuno* tells the anecdote of a proud beggar who, having been upbraided for presenting himself on a day which was not the one assigned for almsgiving in the household,feltwoundedinhisbeggar'sprideand,returningthecoppercoingivenbyhis benefactor,toldhiminanarrogantgesture,togolookforanotherbeggaruponwhomto practisecharitywhichwouldqualifyhimforthekingdomofheaven.Butthismendicant administrationcannoteventakethischance;forAmericamightreallylookforanother beggar. ConsequencesofMendicancy Wherehasthispolicyledus?Whathavebeentheconsequencesofbarteringour *MigueldeUnamuno(18641936),scholar,writeranduniversityrectorwhowasoneofthemost
influentialSpanishthinkersofhistime. 11

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto independenceforrelieffromourdomesticdistresses?Whenwecometoexamineour presentpredicamentintheworldof1951,andasmuchofourfutureasitishumanly possibletoforesee,weareconfrontedwithaprospectthatmightwellgivepausetoa nationstrongeranddmoreselfreliantthanwehaveallowedourselvestobecome. Wefindthatonehalfoftheworlddoesnotrecognizetherealityofourindependence orthelegitimacyofthisRepublic,uponwhichindeedtheylookwithundisguisedscorn andanopenpurposeofattack,anditispreciselythishalfoftheworlduponwhichwe border, separated byasinglesea fromagovernment whoseaggressivedesigns have alreadybecomemanifestinKorea. Inthisexposedposition,wearecompletelyisolated,fortheotherpeoplesofAsia havechartedapolicyofconciliationandsettlementdiametricallyoppositetoours,and theonlyneighborsuponwhomwecanconceivablycallforassistancearethemarooned dictatorship inTaiwan,theracially prejudiced commonwealths ofAustralia andNew Zealand,andourrecentconquerorJapan. OuronlypossiblelifelineisobviouslythetraditionalAmericanconnection,drawn acrossthevastexpanseofthePacific,andmademoretenuousstillbylackofconfidence. DependententirelyuponAmericanarmsforselfdefense,wefinditincreasinglydifficult tosecurethem.HavingrestedourhopesuponAmericanbases,wefindthemunmanned, dismantled,andinthegreatmajorityabandoned,*sothatratherthansourcesofprotection theymaybecometargetsforattack.Wehavebeenencouragedtoopposeandfightthe expansionofCommunisminAsia,andwehavedoneaswehavebeentold,butinreturn wehavereceivedonlyvagueanduncertainpromisesofassistance,andtheconfirmation ofapolicythatwouldsurrenderAsiaratherthanimperilEurope. Ifwarshouldcome,therefore,wewouldbedoomedtoanotherandaworseBataan. Onceagain,asManuelQuezonfearedandlivedtoseefromthetunnelsofCorregidor,ill fed;illarmed,andilltrainedFilipinos,discriminatedagainstbytheirfriendsandout matched by their enemies, would take on their flesh and bone the first shock of aggressionbyoverwhelmingpower.Onceagainourpeoplewouldhavetoendurethe horrors of war, compounded beyond human experience by weapons of mass exterminationandwholesaledestruction,andtheagonyofenemyoccupation,stretched beyondhumanendurancebytheperfectedtechniquesoftyranny;and,foraddedtragedy, wouldfindthemselvesdividedintoirreconcilablefactions,oneclearlycommittedtothe *Thesituationhasgreatlychangedsincethen.
12

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto UnitedStates,andtheotherallegedlyalignedwiththeSovietUnion,inthemostcruelof allwars,afratricidalwar. Andwhile,asaresultofthatwar,aCommunistvictorywillmeanthatwewouldbe ruledbyChinesecommissarsfromPeking,givingorderstoFilipinoCommunists,and undertheirdominationthefloodgatesofourcountrywouldbeopenedtoanalienrace incomparablymorenumerous,enterprisingandenergetic,thealternative,intheeventof aCommunistdefeat,wouldseemtobenolessappallinganddetrimentaltoournational interests. GrandDesign ForitisnowevidentthatthegranddesignofAmericanstrategyistomakeJapanthe leaderoftheanticommunistforcesinAsia,becauseherpeopleare,saidtobetheonly peopleinthisregionwiththemilitarytraditions,thetechnicalskills,thenumbers,the discipline,andtheindustrialresourcesnecessaryforthehugeandexactingenterpriseof modernwar.ButarewetobelievethatwarlikeJapan,havingfoughtherwaybackto predominanceinAsia,willhavesuchtenderregardfortheinterestsoftheFilipinosthat shewilllongfollowwhattheproposedJapanesetreatycalls"fairtradepractices,"or continuetoaccordtous"mostfavorednationtreatrrient,"orevenrespectour"territorial integrity or political independence"? Do the Americans themselves imagine that a victoriousJapan,havingwonAmerica'sbattlesinAsia,andhavingbeenrestoredtoher formerpositionasafirstclasspower,willnotseizetheopportunityoffinallybringingto realizationherdreamsofAsiandomination? Wewouldbepresented,therefore,withaninvidiouschoicebetweeneitherMaoTse TungasMoscow'sforemanandwardeninAsia,orHirohitoasthenewsupreme commanderfortheAlliedpowersinthePacific,thelatterdaySCAPofarevived JapaneseCoProsperitySphere.Ourfuture,ifweescapeextermination,wouldseemtobe thatofeitheraCommunistChineseprovince,oranimperialJapaneseprefecture! I maybeaskedifwecouldhaveadifferent foreignpolicythanthat whichwill probablyleadustosuchadisastrousalternative.IfIdidnotthinkso,Iwouldceaseto believe in the validity of our independence. If our foreign policy could not be any different,thenallournationalistsofthepasthalfcentury,fromMabinitoQuezon,were guiltyofagrossmistake,andourpeople,whoraisedthemtopowerbynearunanimity, wereequallyguiltyofanhistoricalinjusticeagainstthoserepudiatedFilipinoFederalists who thought that the Philippines would be better off if she became a state in the
13

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto AmericanUnion. OurFirstDuty ButaslongasweareanindependentRepublic,wecanandshouldactasafree peopleandasFilipinos.AsFilipinoswemustprofessanddeclarethatthesecurityofour nationisparamount,andasafreepeoplewemustprofessanddeclarethat,whilethe libertiesofotherpeoplesareimportanttousinthisworldofinterdependence,ourfirst dutyistoourown. Weshouldnotsubscribe,therefore,tothehereticalthesisofthetitularheadofthis Republicthatourindependence,insteadofbeinganinalienablerightwhichcametous fromtheSupremeLawgiver,wasAmerica'sgift,andthatconsequentlyweshouldbe readytoloseitforher.Americaherselfwouldbethefirsttorepudiatesuchaslavish conceptoffreedom.Instead,itwoulddogreaterhonortoAmerica'sidealism,redoundto herglory,andattesttothesuccessofherenlightenedexperimentinnationbuilding,that weshouldhaveagovernmentthatunderstandsandiscapableofexercisingthepowers andofdischargingtheresponsibilitiesofindependence,bothindomesticandinforeign affairs;agovernmentthat,becauseitslegitimacyisnotinquestion,willdeserveand receivetheunitedloyaltyofthepeople,andwillnotthereforebecompelledtotrade sovereigntyforsurvival;agovernmentwhichwillknowhowtolivewithinitsrevenues andtospendthepeople'smoneyjudiciously,andwillnotthereforefallvictimto economicnecessitywhichisthemotherofintervention;anindependentgovernment,in fine,whichwillbeinapositiontohelpwithefficacythecauseofworldfreedomwithout jeopardizingthevitalinterestsofitsownpeople. PeaceasPrimaryGoal Thefirstobjectiveofsuchagovernmentmustbepeace,for,asasmallandweak nation,itistoourprimeinteresttoexplorewithpatienceandsincerityeveryavenueof honorableandenduringsettlementbynegotiationandmutualconcessions.Ifwarmust come,itmustnotbeofourownmaking,eitherdirectlyorindirectly. But if war becomes inevitable because the good judgment of peoples has been overriddenbythemadnessoftheirrulers,then,whetheritisviewedasacontestfor worldsupremacy,asatrialatarmsoftworivalconceptsofdemocracy,asawartomake theworldsafefordemocracyforthethirdtime,orasanotherwartoendwar,therecanbe onlytwopossibleantagonists,theAmericanUnionanditsallies,andtheSovietUnion
14

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto anditssatellites.Asbetweenthesetwo,ourownideaoffreedom,anenlightenedestimate of our permanent security, our traditional relations, and our standing treaties and agreementswouldimpelustothesideoftheAmericanpeople. Suchawar,however,foughtwithvastarmiesanddemoniacweapons,couldonlybe prosecutedbythecontinentalandoceanicmasspowersofEurasiaandAmerica,andno Asian nation, or group of Asian nations, could be reasonably expected to carry for Americathebruntoftheconflict,asCommunistChinaandNorthKoreaappeartobe takingitnowfortheSovietUnion,leastofallanationlikeourswhichcannotevencope with,andhastospendonethirdofitstotalrevenuetosuppress,internaldisorders.No nationsuchasourscanbe,insimplefairness,calledupontoprovokeandexposeitselfto anattackwhichitcouldnotsurvive. WeunderstandthateventhevastresourcesofAmericaarenotunlimited,andthat,in thepriorities thatmustbeassignedbetweenEuropeandAsia,everyappealofracial instinct,everyatavisticimpulse,everyconsiderationofacommonheritageofculture, andeventherequirementsofdomesticpolitics,woulddrawtheAmericanpeopletothe homelands of their ancestors. If that is so, and it is so, then America should also understand that Asia cannot be more solicitous than America herself for her own interests. EuropeFirst Andyet,thelogicofaccomplishedfactsshouldturntheAmericanpeople,however reluctantly,toAsia,foritisinAsiathatSovietexpansionhastakentheinitiativeandhas alreadytakenthetollofamillioncasualties:itisinAsiathatmoreAmericanliveshave alreadybeenlostthaninanycomparableperiodinAmericanhistory,andthebulkof America's available divisions committed beyond recall; it is in Asia where both the AmericanPresidentandtheformerSupremeCommanderoftheUnitedNationsforces, despite their personal differences, have agreed that aggression must be stopped, and wheretheCommuniststhemselveshaverepeatedlydeclaredthattheymustopentheway fortheconquestofEurope.ButtotheastonishmentanddismayofAsia,Americahas onlyrecentlyreaffirmedhercontinuingloyaltytothepolicyofEuropefirst.Itisupon EuropethatAmericalavishesthebillionsoftheMarshallPlan,whileAsiamustwaitand bargainforgrudgingandsporadicconcessions,andwatchwithdespairandimpatience the slowuncertainworkingsofthePointFourprogram.America hasknownhow to understandtheanxietiesandapprehensionsofsmallEuropeannations,andhastakenthe
15

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto initiative,withthefirmpledgesandguaranteesoftheNorthAtlanticAlliance,tosoothe thefears,placatethenaturalpride,andencouragethespiritofcollectivesecurityofthe westernworld,fromOslotoLisbon.Americahasgivenherwordtoherkinsmeninthe AtlanticCommunitythatanyattackuponthemwillimmediatelybringintoactionthefull strengthofherexpandingmilitarymachine. WhatcomparableassurancesandguaranteeshavebeengiventoAsia?Whereisa MarshallPlanforAsia?Wherearethepledgesofanautomaticdeclarationofwar,the organizationofunitedforcesonland,atsea,andintheair,andtheconsultationsamong equal allies, as in the North Atlantic Pact? Asia has none, either for reasons of strategicconcentration,racialcomplexes,orbecauseofwesternindifferenceanddistrust; and as if to emphasize the inferior status of Asia, the American President has now relievedfromallhiscommandsintheFarEast,themilitarychieftain,who,forallthe indiscretionsandblunderswithwhichhehasbeencharged,istheembodimentofthe policy of Asia before Europe. If Douglas MacArthur had been reprimanded or even recalledforopenlydisobeyingsuperiorordersandforarrogatingtohimselfpowersand prerogativeswhichwerenothisdue,itwouldhavebeenentirelyamatterofinternal Americanconcern,butwhenhewasshornofhiscommandsanddeposedfromoffice upontheundisguiseddemandofAmerica'sEuropeanallies,andmainlytoallaytheir fearsthatAmericawouldbecomesocommittedinAsiathatshemightleaveEuropeto herownresources,itbecamecauseforalarmanddemoralizationthroughoutallAsia. StrangeDelusions ItisnotstrangethereforethattheAsiannations,withonenotableexception,have lookedwithaloofness,suspicionanddiscouragementupontheambiguousmaneuversof theirformercolonialmasters.OnlythePhilippines,obliviousofguarantees,recklessof consequences, driven by the financial appetites of an incompetent and subservient administration,underthespellofstrangedelusionsaboutgeography,race,culture,and theimperativesofinternationalrelations,rushesinwherestrongerandwiserneighbors feartotread,forgettingthatpygmiescannotaffordtomakeenemiesofgiantswhomthey maybelefttofacealone. OnlyoneLatinAmericanrepublichasparticipatedintheKoreancampaign,outof thenineteenthatlieshelteredwithintheorbitofAmericanprotectionintheWestern hemisphere;eventheJapanese,thechosenleadersofAmerica'scrusadeagainstCom munism in Asia, are now protesting against the grant of American bases and the
16

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto unequivocalespousalofAmerica'scause,butwehaveelectedtodisregardallthedictates ofprudenceandnationalsecurity,and,forallthewarningsthatarewrittenlargeand plainupon.thewall,forallthattheAmericanCongresshaspassedasternresolution requiringthatitbeconsultedbeforeAmericantroopsaresentabroad,thatthepolitical situation intheUnitedStates is sounstable andunpredictable that thepolicies upon whichwerelytodaymayberepudiatedtomorrow,andthattheAmericanadministration hasopenlyreaffirmeditspreferenceforEuropeanditsracialkinsmenintheAtlantic Community,wecontinueparrotingtheslogansandmimickingthegesturesofAmerican policy. But no reasonable, no patriotic, no selfrespecting Filipino can be content with promisestoreturn,orrelishasituationwhereweplaceourselvesinthevanguardofan atomic war, without arms, without retreat, without cover or support, destined to be annihilatedatthefirstencounter,andthereforerenderedunfitforabelatedliberation.If Americareallybelievesthatwarisinevitable,thenlethergiveusinAsiaaresolute leadershipwecantrust;lethergiveusthesame unconditional pledgesandguarantees andthesameactualevidenceofaspiritofequalityandcommonfatethatshehasgivento herkinsmenandalliesintheAtlanticCommunity;andweshallhavejustificationforthe riskofwar,andincentivetomakecommoncause. ASacrificialRace Otherwise,wemustrestrainourenthusiasm,dissembleoursympathies,moderateour wordsandactions,andinfulfillmentoftheprimitivedutyofselfpreservation,makeno enemieswherewecanmakenofriends,andholdourpeace.Itmaybeaprecariouspeace, ofuncertainduration,atthemercyofmilitarytimetablesandpowerpolitics,butifitis broken,atleastitshallnotbesaidthatwesoughtit,andifweareattacked,thatwe deservedit. Meanwhilewemust,whetherintheSierraMadreandtheCandabaswamps,orin AvilesandArlegui,whetherwithinorbeyondthepaleofpresentauthority,forswear allegiancetoanyforeignpower,andceasetofightthebattlesofoneortheotherofthe superstatesbeyondourborders.Whateveroureconomictheories,socialgrievances,and political beliefs andaffiliations, andwhatever thefuturehas instore,wemuststand united,underalawfulandlegitimateleadership,ascitizensofonecountry,oneflag,and one Constitution, so that if war comes, it will not find our nation rent asunder in a paroxysmofselfannihilation.
17

VINTAGERECTO:MemorableSpeechesandWritingsofClaroM.Recto LetnotMacaulay'stravelerfromNewZealandexploringthespectralruinsofManila inthecourseofhispostatomicwarperegrinations,andcautiouslytestingtheradioactive watersofthePasig,fromthebrokenarchesoftheQuezonbridge,havecausetoponder that in those shattered tenements and poisoned fields and rivers once lived a nation uniqueintheannalsofmankind,freemenwhoputtheirlibertiesontheauctionblock,a sacrificialracewithamysteriousurgetosuicide,who,beingweakandweaponlesstook uponthemselvesthequarrelsofthestrong,andhavingbeenwarnedoftheirabandonment stillpersistedintheirlonelycourse,andwhosebrutalizedandmonstrouslydeformed survivors,scramblingwithstuntedlimbsintheinfecteddebrisoftheirliberatedcities, hadforgotteneventheechoofthememoryofthestrangeillusionforwhichtheirracehad foughtandperished.

18