Oldal 2 [2]
XoAsl4s December 52.
eel
- page two ¬
elements and would thus be liscely to counteract eff ctively one of
the most powerful appeals of communist propaganda.
“here are nev rtheless some dif“iculties still to be ironed
oute íhe most important is the objection held by most neutralist
elements against the inclusion of Formosa. Nevertheless it is felt,
that this objection is l&kely to vanish the minute it is clearly shown
to the neutralists that they have nothing to fear from joining the
Union, since the union is one of the greatest powers on earth and
backed by the üniteú States. Considerably more difficulties are
feared by diplomats on the question of the ageession of “outh Korea.
“ince that country is at war, the more neutralist elem nts express the
fear that a Facific Union with Korea might involve them in the
fighting. As it looks today, this objection is taken care off and the
question of the accession of Korea would be postponed to some future
and mwure propicious date.
In view of the tremendous dipiomatic game now played by the
Philippine governm nt and which might bring about important diplomatic
events in the coming year, the inner situation in the Philippines is
not without interest. 4t is dominated first by the coming elections
then by the evolution of the Philippine civil war and finally by the
economic evolution of the country.
elections are going bo be held in 1953. As the situation
stands today, their outcome is dubious. It is true that electoral
pracitices on the Philippines do not always stand up to genuinely
democratic criteria. ,he government in power has means to correct
election returns, though these means are now always infaillible. In
the last g neral elections, it is rabher doubtful whether Quirmno's
liberai4 Party really achieved a majority. Most people would say,
b&hat the popular majority had rabher voted in favor of the opposation
Nacionalista Party. At present nevertheless, public opinion has been
éven more strongly in favor of the Nacionalistas, and it is doubtful,
whther the government will be successful in correcting the results
again. it is therefore well possibl. that the Nacionalistas might
gain the coming elections. “his nevertheless would not mean a change
of policy. Despite some rather demagogical declarations, the Nacional.
leaders fundamentally believe in the same things as the present
administration and would hence not change the for ign policy of thé
countrye in fact numerous experts in Manila believe that the
Nacionalistas migit be more successful in gaining support for the
projects than the liberals, since the latters are ofte accused of
bieng too subservient to Washington wishes. ‘hus, there is absolutely
no reason to fear the outcome of the coming elections, regardless of
what some sensationalist newspapers might say.
~oncerning the Huk war, tie situation has evolved favorably.
underthe new Philip ine-American agreement, added aid has bee
extended on the rhilippine government, which has permitted the
purchase of additional modern equipment for the rhilippine Gonstabular:
33