Our honored guests, this noon, have been the two senior officers of the Philippine Army practically from the date of its founding. No one could possibly be more familiar with the work they have done during the past three years, with the energy, the thought, the character, they have devoted to their duties, than myself. It is for this reason that I felt privileged to ask you to meet with me today in tribute to them, at the moment when one of them leaves the Army to assume another important position in the service of his people, while the other moves up to shoulder the responsibilities of the highest military post.

Recently, I attended a movie in which one obstreperous female character asserted, each time she opened her mouth, that she spoke for two million club-women of the United States. Unlike that person, I am not authorized to speak for any group or sect, for any military or civil organization, or even for any individual except only Ike Eisenhower. But to my own opinions as to the loyalty, abilities and worthwhile accomplishments of Generals Santos and Valdez in the Philippine Army, I can and do give the most emphatic expression. Confirmation of my convictions can be found in every district, every city, and every barrio of the Philippines. Slow but steady development of a real defensive force, progress toward greater unification of a people through intermingling in training station, better physiques among the trainees, greater observance of rules of health and hygiene and, finally, a definitely enhancing appreciation of the requirements of democratic citizenship, are but a few of the accomplishments traceable wholly or in part to the gradual unfolding of the defense plan. In this process our honor guests have played important, untiring and effective parts.

My years of intimate contacts and personal friendship with these two men have been, for me, a real privilege and a source of inspiration. So it is with sincerity and earnestness that I congratulate the Mindanao re-settlement organization on its good fortune in obtaining General Santos as its Manager, and the Philippine Army in having General Valdez to serve as its Chief of Staff.

A moment ago I said that I spoke for no one but myself. Now I should like to modify that statement momentarily, and to this extent. If there is present any man that will not permit me to speak for him in wishing for General Santos and General Valdez a full measure of happiness in their new assignments, and unbroken continuation of their illustrious careers, then that man was invited here today by mistake. For I am determined that this thought shall be the sense of this meeting - enthusiastically adopted - by acclamation.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER