There is a spate of speculations on the U.S.-China communique after the Nixon visit.
“’The U.S. has sold Nationalist China down the river,” is a typical comment. This is because of the U.S. commitment to decrease US troops in Taiwan military installations as the tension decreases—and the agreement to treat the Taiwan question as an internal problem which means Taiwan is a province of China.
Whatever the explanations, the US seems to have humbled itself before Red China.
“Another Potsdam or Munich”’ is another comment.
“Peace at any price”—they add “even at the price of honor.”
I place in Envelope XVI-D the newspapers that carry the communique as well as comments. In the envelope are also papers given me this morning by Amb. [Henry] Byroade.
Official Gazette for February 28, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS started the day with a series of top-level conferences in Malacañang. One such meeting discussed the implications of the state visit of U.S. President Richard Nixon to the People’s Republic of China.
Those who conferred with the President were Secretaries Carlos P. Romulo of Foreign Affairs, Juan Ponce Enrile of National Defense, and Vicente Abad Santos of Justice; and the members of the general staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, composed of Gen. Romeo Espino, chief of staff; Major Gen. Rafael Ileto, vice chief of staff; Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos chief of Constabulary; Brig. Gen. Rafael Zagala, commanding general of the Philippine Army, Brig. Gen. Jose Rancudo, chief of the Philippine Air Force, and Commodore Hilario Ruiz, nag-officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy.
The President also summoned Ambassador Henry A. Byroade of the United States for a meeting.
Early in the afternoon, the Chief Executive met with Undersecretary of Commerce Eliseo Villamor, concurrently chairman-general manager of the Rice and Corn Administration; and later with Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina.
Others who saw the President included a delegation from Batanes headed by Gov. Simeon Gato.
The President issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, March 4, a special public holiday in the City of Puerto Princesa, (in Palawan), to give residents there an opportunity to observe with appropriate ceremonies the 100th year of the City’s existence.
In the evening, the President was the guest of honor and speaker at the 11th induction ceremonies of the new officers of the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs, held at Manila Hotel.