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

390.1115/6284: Telegram

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

Bern, January 9, 1943.
[Received January 9—9:55 a.m.]

167. American interests—prisoners of war China. Department’s 2845, December 17,⁸⁰ Foreign Office note January 6 reports Gorgé intervened beginning December Japanese Government to obtain revocation sentence Teeters, Cunningham and Smith,⁸¹ still without reply. He believes communication Ministry War, Tokyo, to Swiss Consulate General, Shanghai (Legation’s 5807, December 10 [11]⁸²) cannot be considered final reply since official views Japanese Government not yet communicated Swiss Legation.

Nevertheless knowing severity Japanese legislation regarding attempts escaped prisoners war, Gorgé has small hope success his representations.

Harrison

80. Ibid., p. 839.
81. Nathaniel D. Teeters, American civilian engineer engaged in the construction of naval facilities at Wake at the time of its capture by the Japanese on December 22, 1941; Cmdr. Winfield S. Cunningham, U.S. Navy, in charge of all naval activities at Wake at that time; and Lt. Cmdr. Columbus D. Smith, Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Wake, captured near Shanghai by the Japanese on December 8, 1941.
82. Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. i, p. 832.