Uncle Sam goes a-wooing

Media

Part of The Cross

Title: Uncle Sam goes a-wooing
extracted text: Author views with optimism the outcome of the little “lovers’ quarrel” between U.S. and P.I. Uncle Sam Goes A-wooing THE affaire d’amour between amiable Uncle Sam, usually a quick man with a dollar, and Miss Luzviminda was a many splendored-thing until it suddenly went sour. The Miss who personifies the Philippines felt that the conduct of Uncle Sam who per sonifies the United Slates left something to be desired and she was vexed. The case history is an interesting one. When the Philippine Republic was inau gurated in 1946, President Manuel Roxas said, “Our safest course is in the glistening wake of America whose sure advance with mighty prow breaks for smaller craft the waves of fear.” Ahead of the newly launched Republic were stormy seas, and the sensible thing to do was to follow in the wake of the AmerBy REV. EDWARD DEPERSIO, S.S.C. ican supply ship. More concretely, agreements were signed between the two countries. The Philippine Trade Act of 1946 gave Americans equal trading right with Filipinos in the Philip pines. The following year, a Military Bases agreement was made whereby Uncle Sam was again generously given control of many hundreds of acres of Philippine soil on a ninety-nine year option. As conditions in the Islands began to stab ilize, Filipinos began to figure out that Uncle Sam got himself a real bargain in the Trade Act and Military Bases agreement and felt that a revision was in order. Some efforts were made in readjusting Turn to page 24 More And More Families Are Buying Our Very Interesting Parlor Games ... Why Not You? Here Are Our Most Exciting C.T.S. Games... FIND YOUR WAY TO MARY —A Marian Pilgrimage in the Philippines P4.90 plus P0.75 postage PLAY AND LEARN — A bingo-like Catechetical game in auections and answers P4.90 plus P0.75 postage TRIP TO HEAVEN — A game centered around virtues and vices P4.90 plus P0.75 postage N. B. — ASK FOR THE LIST OF OUR OTHER POPULAR GAMESI ORDER FROM: CATHOLIC TRADE SCHOOL 1916 Oroquieta, Manila 9 P. O. Box 2036 Devotion to ST. JUDE This letter is a fulfillment of my promise to St. Jude. As a token of the past and recent iavors that St. Jude has granted to me. I am banking him publicly through this magazine, □nd I am sending a small amount as a gift for the propagation of the devotion to St. Jude. -GLORIA C. VELASCO. Guindulman. Bohol. Please publish this letter of thanks to St. lude. who has never failed to answer my pray ers. I wish to thank St. Jude from the bottom of my heart. I also wish to thank the Blessed Mother for her help.—A PRAYERFUL DAUGH TER. Paranaque. Rizal. I wish to thank St. Jude for the countless bless ings I have received through his most powerful intercession. My mother has successfully un dergone a serious operation; al) the . members of my family are in good health: I passed hard school examinations and graduated from college last 14th of March. My sincerest gratitude also to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, St. Therese of the Child Jesus. St. Anthony. St. Joseph and the Infant of Prague.—J.O.N.. 1-C Amugis, Quirino District, Quezon City. Kindly publish this letter in your column as a thanksgiving to St. Jude for the favors which he has granted to me. I have asked his help lor several times and he has never failed nle. I hope this letter will help to spread devotion to him. Thank you for everything. St. Jude— ANN. Iloilo City. For several months mysterious red spots kept appearing and disappearing on various parts of my legs -and thighs. The doctors thought it was an ordinary case of allergy and passed back to me the task of detecting the allergen through keen observation of my diet and en vironment. I did everything to find what made those spots reappear barely after they had dis appeared. Exasperated, I made* a novena to St. Jude and his answer came in the form of an unexpected trip to Manila. There I saw a doctor who proved to have the solution to my problem. It was not a case of allergy, alter all. but a condition called "purpura", which with my daily intake of Vitamin C Is not bothering me now. A million thanks to St. Jude.—T.V.P., Naga City. UNCLE SAM . . . From page 10 relations; for instance, there was the LaurelLangley agreement which provided for gradually increasing tariff on American imports, but nothing supremely satisfactory was worked out and so a few years went by. Some.Filipino politicians began to feel that their country did not enjoy territorial integ rity because of the presence of the military bases, and, furthermore, the Philippines, they said, was linked much too closely to the American economy. This did not promote, national pride. Not one of these was the late President Ramon Magsaysav who saw in the mil itary bases an essential element of national defense and who insisted that any little differences that might crop up between the two countries would quickly find a reason able solution. There was. too, the matter of what became known as the “Omnibus Claims.” Miss Luzximinda put a claim against Uncle Sam for well over 860 million dollars for a lot of things from backpay and erroneous military deductions to bank losses due to gold de valuation, refunds of taxes on shipments of coconut oil and sugar, plus more war dam ages than were already delivered. Uncle Sam felt that the Omnibus Claims were not realistic. He was willing and ready to admit some of them, but balked at the gigantic total. In January, 1956, Senator Francisco Del gado, chairman of the Senate Foreign Rela tions Committee, introduced a resolution against American claims of ownership of the military bases. The U.S. Attorney General’s office was of the opinion that the bases actually belonged to the United States—for one reason, it had land titles to prove it. Congressman Jose Laurel, Jr., spoke out against what he felt was American ar rogance in .the interpretation of the miltary bases agreement, and also didn’t like the lack of consideration Uncle Sam showed the Philippines in the insignificant economic and military aid as ebnstrasted with aid given’to neighboring countries. Carlos P. Garcia, who ran the Philippine Foreign Office at the time, cautioned Fil ipino politicians against frontal attacks on Uncle Sam, saying that the case against America, if there really was one, should not be “exaggerated and distorted by unscru pulous elements ... to destroy the friendship and goodwill that exists between our two governments.” The CROSS It was time for a little old-fashioned powwow, and teams were chosen from each country for meetings in Manila. These be gan about August 1,1956. Representing the Philippines was Vice-President Garcia, Sen ator Emmanuel Pelaez, Senator Francisco Delgado and others. On Uncles Sam’s team were the late Ambassador Alfred Nufer, Karl R. Bendetsen, Admiral Felix B. Stump and others. Nufer, to demonstrate American goodwill, announced that the U.S. was going to waive all claims to the military bases. Some of the Filipino politicians like Edmundo Cea and Arturo Tolentino said there was nothing to waive, that the Philippines already owned the land. In any case, Uncle Sam flew in the land titles from Washington, D.C., and turned them over in formal ceremony on August 4. Bendetsen, spokesman for the American team, said, “No American desires that these bases exist a single day beyond the time when it is clear that this base system is no longer needed in your defense or when it is clear you no longer want us.” Some Filipinos felt that the presence of the U.S. military bases on Philippine soil was just inviting attack from . unfriendly powers. Bendetsen again noted that there is no security in neutralism and that it is a communist practice to attack the soft spots of the free world, the spots not armored against attack. It was also noted that Uncle Sam was spending nine billion dollars in the defense of Asia, and that no hard-headed business man would spend that kind of money if it was not only practical but absolutely vital. What finally led the discussions to the bottom of a dead-end alley was the question of court jurisdiction over American mem bers of the Armed forces charged with crim inal offenses while off duty on the bases. The Philippine representatives felt that their country should have jurisdiction over such cases, but this far the American panel would not go. Bendetsen said this would subject the American soldier to double jeopardy; it would be a violation of his rights to be tried by Americans while serving under the Amer ican flag. It was felt that since Uncle Sam had been given charge of the bases, he should be trusted in their internal adminis tration. Neither side budged an inch, and Bendet sen was called to Washington, D.C., for con sultations. Horace Smith, who became charge d’affatirs when Ambassador Alfred Nufer Turn to pogo 26 Dear Miss Marlene, About three months ago a man was introduced to me by a mutual friend. From that time, we have been seeing each other a lot. But during all this time, he has not mentioned anything about love. We went together as very good friends. Then sud denly, during an excursion while we were alone he asked to kiss me. What is your opinion of this man? C. L. Dear C. L., Be grateful that you found out about his lack of character at this early date. Your boy friend has shown lack of control over himself. He has also betrayed lack of propriety. Without even a dec laration of feelings, he has skipped on to asking a kiss from you. Even if he has already declared his feelings, he has no right to ask this privilege. If you still wish to continue keeping his company (which does not seem worthwhile), I advise that you avoid being alone with him. L M. Dear Miss Marlene, I am at present engaged to a man. However, for a reason that I find hard to explain, my love for him is fading. In the beginning, I loved him very much. But now I only feel pity for him. My problem now is how to tell this to him, His parents know about our relationship and they like me very much. But this only makes it much har der for me to break our engagement. I have many small brothers and sisters and it is my plan not to marry any more and to devote my full time in supporting them. Please teU me also how I can avoid further suitors after I have broken up with my present fiance. S. P. Dear S. P. If you are certain about your present feeling for your fiance, then you should waste no time in tel ling this to him. Just tell this to him tactfully and ask his pardon for your unavoidable change or Turn to pogo 29 April. 1959 Page 25 BIG MAN "My son went abroad ten yean ago to make his fortune.” “And what is he worth now?” “The New York police are offering $20,000 for information about him.” (Rally) UNCLE SAM . . . From pogo 2S died Buddenlv, declared unilaterally in early December, 1956, that the talks would have to be recessed temporarily. Ambassador Charles E. Bohlen stepped in to the affair on being named to the Phil ippines. Suave, clear-thinking Bohlen point ed out a lew salient facts to those who crit icized the amount of aid being given to the Philippines by Uncle Sam. ‘ He recalled that approximately $65,000,itOO come to the Philippines each year in payments by the United States Veterans Administration. In addition, the United States is spending in the Philippines about $50,000,000 a year in maintaining the mili tary bases which give employment to thou sands of Filipinos. Aside from the vast sum of $350,000,000 spent on a giant naval project at the bases, the United States International Cooperation Administration (1CA) contributes the equiv alent of $35,000,000 annually for economic and social developments in the Islands. Bohlen pointed out that Uncle Sam’s Mil itary Assistance program to the Philippines supplies the Armed Forces with practically all their needs, saving thereby for the Islands the dollars they would otherwise have to spend. Then, there are other financial assistance projects, unfortunately not used to complete advantage by Filipinos, such as the Devel opment Loan Fund to facilitate loans for industrial development; the existing credit with the Export-Import Bank of many un used millions of dollars; plus the Industrial Development Center in Manila with a work ing capital of over a quarter-million pesos for industrial loans. Bohlen summarized his listing by saying, “There are currently available to the Phil ippines considerable sources of additional United States economic assistance for its industrial development which do not require any new legislation or authority from the Tu» to pag* 27 OLDEST KNIGHT . . . From pag* II his outstanding services in the medical world, most recent of which was the fellow ship in the British Royal Society of Med icine. He is a Knight of Columbus. Fernando E. V. (Escolastica Victoria), 57, graduated as a civil engineer. He became a district engineer for various provinces; General Manager and Director of the Mani la Railroad Company (where his father was the chief of the personnel division until his retirement in 1952), an Undersecretary of Public Works and Communications, and now is the President of the Chamber of Indus tries, Executive Vice-President of the In dustrial and Business Management Corpora tion, and President of the new Industrial Mutual Fund. An acknowledged industrial leader, Fernando is also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Natalia .Josefa (Mrs. Ambrosio G. Santos), 55, a pharmacist and chemist, is a member of tire faculty of Mapua Institute of Tech nology. Cecilia Trinidad, 53, a dentist, is the den tal supervisor of the Bureau of Health for Manila. Benita Filomena (Mrs. Antonio de la Ro sa), 47, graduated as a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and is at present the chief of the Filipiniana Section of the National Lib rary. Maria Dolores F., 45, a Home Economics graduate, used to be an active social worker, now faithfully looks after her aged parents. Arsacio Joaquin, 41, a chemical engineer, is a division chief in the Bureau of Geodetic Survey and is on the faculty of Mapua In stitute of Technology. Two children of the Si sons died at a very young age. The father Sison was not bom of a rich family. While still young, his parents, orig inally from Ermita, Manila, moved to Dagupan, Pangasinan. When he was ready to go to college, he journeyed to Manila on his own. Fortunately, he found a kind benefac tor, Don Eustaquio Mendoza, a well-to-do resident of Binondo, who allowed him to live in his house, treating him like a son and pay ing for his studies at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. In March 1891 he graduated as a Bachelor of Arts. Don Braulio wanted to study medicine afterwards, but due to lack of means, he was to content himself with a commercial course at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. After graduation, -his kind ben efactor helped him to get a job in a soap fac 71m MOSS tory. The folowing years found him at sev eral different jobs. He learned English through self-study and became among the first English teachers in Pangasinan, later becoming the chief clerk of the division su perintendent of schools in the province. Finally, he found a position with the Ma nila Railroad Company, where he stayed on for 21 years. Public recognition finally came to the Sisons for their unusual family record in 1949 in the form of no less than a presidential citation. Together with two other outstand ing families, the Sison family was nominated for the p’residential award by the Women’s Civic Assembly for "exemplary family life and family relationship according to the highest Filipino traditions.” One day that year the old couple walked to Malacanang and with proud tears in their eyes, heard the following words of acclamation from the highest official of their country: "By hard work and judicious use of their limited financial resources and through selfabnegation, he and his wife have raised and reared a Christian family of seven children, giving all of them a university education and teaching them to become useful citizens who are actually rendering meritorious service to their country in their various lines of en deavor.” ■ Old man Sison remembers his initiation into the Knights of Columbus 41 years ago, 13 years after the first KC Council was or ganized in the Philippines on ADril 5, 1905. The ceremony took place in the former head quarters of Manila Council a short distance from Fort Santiago in Intramuros. At the time his son Agerico was already a member of the Council, having been initiated two years earlier. The Grand Knight then was the late Gabriel La 0 and the Council still had a few of the American members who first organized the Order in the Philippines. "Those American Brother Knights were fine companions,” Don Braulio recalls. He re members Dr. Salvador Araneta, now pres ident of Araneta University, as one of those who were initiated with him. During the incumbency of Grand Knight Jose’Ma. Delgado, now Philippine Ambassa dor to Rome, sometime between 1928 and 1935, Don Braulio served as Financial Sec retary for two years at the same time that Celso B. Jamora, present Grand Knight of Manila Council, was the Recorder. He re calls that the Knights of Columbus then did not have as much activities as at present when a more progressive community de mands increased activities. SOUTHERN CRUISE SET FOR MAY The Manila Council - sponsored cruise to the southern islands will be made from May 5 to 18 on the M./V Panay. Details: Manila Council Club house, Tel. 3-39-49 and 3-46-37 or Bro. Francisco Panlilio, Tel. 5-46-92. UNCLE SAM . . . From page 26 United States Congress.” In reference to the military bases, Bohlen noted, "The only reason for the existence of these bases and their only justification is that thev serve the mutual security inter ests of both countries. ... It is a fact that an attack on the Philippines is an attack on the United States and would cause the Unit ed States to act immediately.” Uncle Sam and Miss Luzviminda will patch up their differences, as they must, because of their long-standing mutual respect. Con gressman John W. McCormack of Massa chusetts gave voice to this mutual resnect ■when he mused over the occasions when Filipinos and Americans have stood together against common foes and said, “Whenever democracy is threatened or imperiled, there we have our Filipino allies ready and de termined.” Don Braulio received his Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus during the first Fourth Degree exemplification to be held in the Philippines, which took place in Manila in November, 1949. Until a few years ago, he was actively attending activities of Ma nila Council. The octogenarian, who has eleven grand children and ten great grandchildren, used to serve Mass at San Marcelino Church daily, until the priest stopped him for fear that one day he might stumble over the altar steps carrying the heavy missal. At present, old man Sison still wakes up at 5:30 in the morning everyday to catch the six o’clock Mass and receive Holy Communion. April. 1950 Page 27
Date: 1959
Rights