701.0090/1740
The Spanish Embassy to the Department of State
No. 175
Ex. 120.00
The Spanish Embassy presents its compliments to the Department of State and begs to transcribe the following Memorandum that the Japanese Government has forwarded this Embassy through the “Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores”54 in Madrid, regarding the examination of luggage and funds repatriates can take with them on the second exchange vessel.
“Memorandum—It is intention of the Japanese Government as also it is understood that of United States Government to carry out second exchange in accordance with terms of agreement reached at time of first exchange. However, while persons to be exchanged by second exchange are chiefly persons who are not officials, said agreement leaves to future arrangement question of examination of effects of non-official persons to be included in second or later exchange and there were at first exchange cases of violation on part of American authorities of terms of agreement as to search of persons of non-official evacuees. It is also considered desirable to make some alterations in provisions of agreement relating to money which evacuees will be allowed to take with them. On these points therefore Japanese Government make following proposals and wish to be informed without delay whether they are agreeable to United States Government.
[Page 889]- 1.
- Japanese Government will not search persons of evacuees, and [will] examine their luggage in a lenient manner. At first exchange American authorities searched persons of non-official Japanese evacuees stripping them without single exception of their clothes and examined their luggage in most unsparing manner. This called forth Japanese Government in most emphatic protest twice last year. At coming exchange both sides shall strictly comply with terms of agreement.
- 2.
- Every adult evacuee of each side shall in same way as at first exchange be permitted to take with him or her up to yen 1000 or $300.00 for use on board ship until arrival at place of exchange. Any amount of money remaining unused shall as before be bought by respective governments. Any Japanese currency received by Swiss Representative shall be deposited with Japanese Bank and shall be permitted to be used for the representation of American Interests. Similar measures shall be taken [by] United States Government in respect any money received by Spanish Representative. 16th July, 1943.”
- Ministry for Foreign Affairs.↩