June 8, 1950
S/S: \(This should go to Mr. Rusk, who has been discussing it with the Secretary.\)
Secretary Johnson called the Secretary back shortly before the Secretary's departure for the White House. He said that the JCS had suggested that he and General Bradley go into Clark Field and meet Quirino there, if possible. Secretary Johnson said there were some 5,000 men stationed there and about 500 air police and in his opinion Quirino would be safe. Mr. Johnson said, however, that he would not want to assume responsibility for Quirino's getting to Clark Field as the roads were bad and there might be difficulty en route. He also said the JCS had recommended against their going to Baguio.
The two Secretaries discussed briefly what would be said if Mr. Johnson and General Bradley did not go to Manilla. Secretary Johnson said that we could simply say that the trip to the Philippines had been added to an already loaded schedule and there was limited time, etc. After further discussion the Secretary said there might be some difficulty in asking a President of another country to leave his capitol to visit a cabinet member from the United States. He asked if it were not possible for Johnson and Bradley to fly over to Manilla from Clark Field. Mr. Johnson said that he thought it would be possible for him and General Bradley to leave the ladies at Clark Field, fly over to Manilla, where President Quirino could have a luncheon for them, and return to Clark Field, taking off for Okinawa during the afternoon.
The Secretary said he would look into this further with his advisers and be in touch with Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson said he is not leaving tonight with the President, but would be in his office through tomorrow. Mr. Acheson assured him he would call back during that period.
In the course of the conversation Secretary Johnson said that he had seen someone named Sariano \(?\) this morning and that Sariano believed that the situation in the Philippines would clear up very soon. \(Sariano apparently is some Philippine official.\)
L.D.B.
S:LDB:dhm