American note to the Philippines re the broadening of the E.C.A. program

Title

Language

English

Source

The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XXVII (Issue No. 7) July 1951

Year

1951

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

crowded and inadequately supported from the alms of the rich. Where, seemingly, could Vivaldi have found less opportunity for the exercise of his genius? But it was for this institution that he wrote more than two hundred fifty concertos, some two every month, for many years. As a violinist himself, he emphasized the violin parts and so widened the technique as to gain an until then undreamed-of expressiveness for the instrument. The great Bach diligently studied his compositions and arranged over twenty of them for the organ and the clavier. Recently, his works have been revived for performance in the great concert halls of the world, and recordings have been made for the phonograph of some of his noble compositions. His music is full of fire and spirit, even the compositions written for the Mass. One does not hear the notes of self-abasement or lament even in the Kyrie and Miserere passages. All is joyousness and praise of God and his creation. This out of the dreariness of a foundling home! We may be sure that the Ospedale della Pieta could not for long have been described, after Vivaldi came there, as a silent, cheerless place, with quiet little waifs and older girls busy at their handwork or flitting timidly through the corridors. With the young, red-headed priest leading them, they were soon playing on their violins and a few other instruments and singing with all their might, the gifted taking the more difficult parts and those not so gifted, the easier. The Ospedale must have resounded with music from basement to attic, the glad, sweet strains heard throughout that quarter of the ancient city. It was not the place, or the time, or the position he was assigned to which gave Vivaldi his opportunity. He created his opportunity as he created his music. How often do we feel that if we only had the oppor tunity, we would do great things! But, we say, the cir cumstances are against us; we say that we can do nothing, that the situation is hopeless. But Vivaldi did not say: “I would, if...” or “I would, but...” He said: “I will. Even here, I will.” American Note to the Philippines re Broadening of the E.C.A. Program * *An address delivered on June 17 during the sixth program of the symphonic concert series, "Orchestras of the World", broadcast by Station DZRH in coopera tion with E.C.A. The economic aid program launched by the United States Government on April 6, 1951, was of interim character designed to promote economic strengthen ing and betterment in the Philippines until the United States Congress could be asked for authorization to estab lish an enlarged program of financial and technical aid. This program, for which $15,000,000 has already been allocated, proceeded from the substantial implementation by the Philippine Congress of the Quirino-Foster Agree ment of November, 1950, and from earlier recommenda tions of the United States Economic Survey Mission in September, 1950. “2. In further implementation of the Quirino-Foster Agreement: “(A) The President of the United States in his message to Con gress of May 24, 1951, on Foreign Aid, has requested funds which would make possible additional grants in the fiscal year 1952, for tjie purpose of substantially expanding the initial program already started in the Philippines by the Economic Cooperation Administration’s Special Technical and Economic Mission; and “(B) The Export-Import Bank of Washington is prepared to enter into discussions with representatives of the Philippine Govern ment looking toward the establishment of credits for productive pro jects in the Philippines. “3. In the extension of this grant and loan assistance, the Economic Cooperation Administration and the Ex port-Import Bank will be closely associated to the end that both loans and grants shall be utilized as part of a single integrated and coordinated program of United States aid and Philippine Government efforts designed to help build economic strength in the Philippines and assist in meeting the needs and aspirations of the Philippine people. ‘‘4. These actions reflect the confidence of the Govern ment of the United States that continued progress will be made in carrying out the recommendations of the United States Economic Survey Mission.” •Full text of a note delivered on June 16 to Philippine Foreign Secretary Carlos P. Romulo for President Elpidio Quirino by Julian Harrington, United States Charge de’ Affaires and William Stanley Allen Jr., Acting Chief of the U. S. Special Economic and Technical Mission in Manila. E.C.A. Aid Described * By Salvador Araneta Administrator of Economic Coordination “T AM glad to have this opportunity to speak about our | national economy in terms of what E.C.A. is doing to help us stimulate and develop it. In a very real sense, this assistance from the United States is like a spark plug needed to keep the motor of our economy running with the right degree of power. Let us look at how this works. “The main task facing this country now is that of raising the standard of living of all our people, particularly those at lowest income levels. This means a program of economic development designed to bring about full utilization of those of our human and natural resources at present unused. It means the diversification of economy, the establishment of industries suited to local conditions, the attain ment of higher levels of production, employment and expanding foreign trade. “The Philippine Government has undertaken this vital task, not only by enacting laws which make develop ment possible, but, more positively, by actually initiating specific projects in those fields which do not attract private investment. “Today our efforts are reinforced by a program of E.C.A. aid in the form of both material assistance and technical advice. At this crucial moment in our nation’s 216

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