Quezon, however, sought to obtain from Japan some promise of security, wherein Japan would recognize the neutrality of the Philippines. Although the Tydings-McDuffie Act stated that the United Stated would take steps to secure the neutrality of the Philippines, no such action had been taken. As the Sino-Japanese War dragged on in China and Europe drifted to war, Quezon tried to supplement his national defense plan with initiatives to guarantee the neutrality of the Philippines.