Evening star., 1945-10-26
Truman Orders
Probe Of Unrest
In Philippines
McNutt to Report
On Guerrilla Bands
Causing Anxiety
BY ]. A. FOX

agrarian unrest threatens @the
stability of government" in the
islands, and has called for a
prompt investigation of condi-
tions there, it was disclosed at
the White House today.
In a memorandum to Mr.. McNutt,
who will leave soon for his island
post, the President said Philippine
shareeroppers organized a guerrilla
army (which repeatedly did good
work" against the Japanese, but that
they did not disband after the war
land today they constitute a special
problem"
At the same time, the President
emphasized that their legitimate
claim to fair treatment and the
assistance they. rendered in resist
ance to the enemy require that they
not be dealt with in a ruthless man
ner.
Thousands in Movement.
The President then told Mr.. Nc
Mutt ito order prompt investiga-
ton with the cooperation
of the Commonwealth government
and to recommend the remedies or
reform which ought to be taken by
the Commonwealth government and
by the United States Government.
Mr.. Truman's memorandum said
thousands of men were involved in
the movement.
The communication to Mr.. McNutt
was one of several the President
sent to various Government officials
outlining problems arising in the
reconstruction era in the Philip
pines and calling for countermeas-
ures to deal with them.
The communications were dis
patched by the President after a
series of conferences with President
Sergio Osmena of the Philippines
Secretary of the Interior Ickes and
Mr.. McNutt.
The President told his news con-
ference yesterday OF his efforts to
work out this program, which he said
was essential to our relationship
with the people" of the Philippines.
Clark Gets Instructions.
One Of the communications went
to Attorney General Clark, whom
the President told to move against
natives who gave aid and comfort
to the enemy" and are now holding
important Offices in the Common
wealth government.
Other letters and memoranda
dealt with different phases OF
Philippine economy.
Mr.. Truman told the Attorney
General that while the mass of the
Filipino people and many of their
leaders remained stanchly loya.
during invasion and rendered in
valuable assistance to our armies
it is necessary to admit that many
persons served under the puppei
government, sponsored by the
enemy"
The President explained that some
especially those engaged in health
and educational work, remained al
their posts to aid their people
But" he continued, "regrettably
a number of persons prominent In
the political life of the country
assisted the enemy in the formula.
ton and enforcement of his politica
policies and the spread of his propa.
ganda. Others in the field of trade
and finance seized upon the oc.
casion to enrich themselves in prop.
erty and money at the expense o.
their countrymen."
Action Urged Before Election.
Explaining that press reports in
dicate that q number of the Jap
anese sympathizers are holding i'm
portant offices in the local govern
ment, the President said that fur
ther reports indicate that steps ar
only now being taken by Common
wealth officials to investigate, charg
and try the offenders.
Emphasizing that disloyalty to tn
Commonwealth is equally disloyalt
to the United States, the Presiden
told the Attorney General to "sen,
experienced personnel to the Philip
pines" to look into this matter an,
recommend such action as may b
appropriately taken by the Unite,
States"
Mr.. Truman said he had aske
Army and Navy intelligence service
to cooperate and that representa-
tives of the Federal Bureau of In
vestigation also should be brough
into the inquiry.
To the Secretary of War, tn
President said aid should be give
the Philippines in recognizing tn
constabulary ION non-militar
basis"
The Secretaries of Treasury an
War were instructed to make rec
concentrations as to what should b
done about redeeming emergenc
currency issued in the Philippines t
aid in the prosecution of the wa
/ (see PHILIPPINES, Page A-14.)