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

701.0090/1729: Telegram

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

Washington, August 7, 1943.

1888. American interests, Far East—repatriation. Minister Gorgé should be informed as follows:

Spanish Embassy Washington has just communicated to Department urgent message⁶⁷ mentioned in your 4714, August 4.

Department is replying to Spanish Embassy⁶⁸ that as stated in its reply of July 27 (Department’s 1781 July 28) through the Spanish Embassy to communication of July 13 from the Japanese Government⁶⁹ regarding the exchange, it is prevented from commencing movement of passengers to the Gripsholm for embarkation only by problem of finding sufficient number of persons acceptable to Japanese Government and willing to be repatriated to fill remaining spaces on exchange vessel. If Japanese Government agrees with the proposal of this Government that Spanish Embassy be given authority to select individuals to fill these spaces in accordance with whatever directives Japanese Government wishes to give Embassy, Department will be in a position to proceed immediately with movement of passengers to port of embarkation and with other plans for departure of vessel.

Reply points out that it is necessary in the interest of the repatriates that approximately 3 weeks elapse between notice to them of their selection for embarkation and date of actual sailing. The Department can give this notice and otherwise commence preparations for departure of Gripsholm immediately on receipt of Japanese agreement to Department’s proposal of July 27 and the Gripsholm can sail 3 weeks subsequently. As the voyage to Mormugão is expected to require 45 days, the exchange can take place there approximately 66 days after a reply is received from the Japanese Government in the sense suggested.

Reply concludes by stating that characteristics of Gripsholm will be identical with those in 1942. Outbound ports of call will be Rio de Janeiro, a Rio de la Plata port, and Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Inbound ports will be Port Elizabeth and Rio de Janeiro. Dates and exact itinerary will be provided as soon as date for departure of vessel is fixed in accordance with the formula given above.

Reference last sentence of penultimate paragraph of your 4714 August 4, Gorgé should be informed that in connection with safe conduct the assurances given by United States Government regarding Gripsholm in Department’s 1192, May 9,⁷⁰ will remain in effect. This point was not mentioned in Japanese communication through Spanish channels.

Hull

67. Memorandum No. 202, Ex. 108.03, August 6, not printed.
68. Memorandum dated August 7, not printed (701.0090/1739).
69. Memorandum No. 169, Ex. 108.03, July 21, from the Spanish Embassy, not printed.
70. See footnote 61, p. 892.