Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III

390.1115/7409: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)

Washington, July 22, 1943.

1711. American interests—China. Your 4113, July 12.⁴⁹ It would be appreciated if Swiss Legation Tokyo would inform the Japanese Government that in the opinion of the United States Government attempted escape is not a valid reason for excluding anyone from the exchange; and that Teeters⁵⁰ being imprisoned should under the exchange agreement enjoy first priority for exchange. This Government is not excluding from the exchange any Japanese civilians who have attempted to escape from internment camps here.⁵¹

Hull

49. Not printed, but see footnote 39, p. 977.
50. Nathaniel D. Teeters, American civilian engineer engaged in the construction of naval facilities at Wake at the time of its capture by Japanese forces on December 22, 1941. For correspondence on the question of treatment of prisoners attempting to escape, see pp. 954–955 and 976–978.
51. In telegram No. 5115, August 21, 1943, the Minister in Switzerland reported that the Japanese Foreign Office refused to authorize Teeters’ repatriation as he was considered a prisoner of war (390.1115/8445).