Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-03-14
U. 5. and Philippines
Sign 99-Year Pact
On Military Bases
BY the Associated Press


MANILA, Mar. IA 99-year
agreement providing for five ma
jor American military bases and
other minor posts in the Philippines
was formally signed tonight in the
glittering Council of State Hall of
MaIacanan Palace.
The agreement, reached after
weeks of negotiation, contains
provision that in the interest OF
international security any of the
bases may be made available to the
Security Council of the United Ma
tons.
Ambassador Paul v. McNutt |
signed for the United States and
President Manuel Roxas for the
Philippine Republic.
Mr.. McNutt, reading message
from Acting Secretary Of State
Acheson, said the United States
proposes to retain in the Philip
pines only such armed forces as
required to man the bases and to
constitute a small military mission"
Troops to Be Shifted.
Troops now in the Philippines
not required for these purposes will
be shifted to other areas to continue
support of the occupation of Japan"
Mr.. Acheson's message continued.
1.-THE present agreement will con-
tribute to international security and
peace in the Pacific and will supple
ment and support such future ar
rangements for world peace as may
be reached under the Security Coun-
Gil of the United Nations"
Present tonight were Vice Presi-
dent Elipidio Quirino, in his capacity
as Secretary of Foreign Affairs;
members OF the Philippine cabinet,
Philippine congressional leaders and
army officials of the two nations.
The Philippine government an
nounced that, under terms of the
agreement, the United States Army
will maintain its principal military
establishment in the vast Fort Stot-
senberg military reservation in
Pampanga Province of Central Lu-
zon. It will serve as chief operating |
area for that branch of the service.
The Navy will maintain four OPP
Grating areas, one in the Leyte-
Samar area, centered at Gutuan; |
one at Subic Bay, Luzon; one at
Tawitawi, near the southern end OF
the archipelago, and the fourth at
Sangley Point, Cavite.
Ten other areas of limited size
were designated as bases.
U. S. Gives Up Fort Mckinley.
The agreement will end American
use of such military landmarks as
Fort Mckinley, on the outskirts OF
Manila, and the big air installation
at Nichols Field, likewise within the
limits of Greater Manila, after a
period allowed for moving troops.
This meets in every respect the
request of the Philippine govern
ment that no permanent bases be
established in centers OF popula-
ton" Philippine government
statement said. There viii be no
base in the city of Manila or its
immediate environs." ~
Inc Pnlllpplne 'SOVerulHeuI ic-
tanned the right to exercise juris-
diction over all offenses committed
outside bases by members of Amer
lean armed forces, except when an
offense is committed in performance
of specific military duty or when
both offender and offended party
are members of American armed
forces.
Commenting on the pact, Presi-
dent Roxas said it will insure ma
tional defense of our territory and
security of our independence, not
only for today but for all time to
come"
Acting Secretary of State Ache
son today described the Philippine
bases agreement signed today in
Manila as contribution to Inter
national security and peace in the
Pacific"
He said signing of the base agree
ment was IAN essential step" toward
fulfllment of an American pledge
to protect independence of the Phil
tppines.
The Alabama, Confederate raiding
ship, captured and destroyed 10 I'm
ion ships during the Civil War.
2