740.00115A Pacific War/366: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 13, 1943—6:49 p.m.]
1028. American interests Shanghai. Legation’s 1011, February 13.6 Swiss Consulate Shanghai telegraphs February 11.
“All my efforts have Japanese order concerning general internment rescinded without result. Recommend protected governments consider urgently intervention Tokyo following points causing great concern British [and] American communities.
- 1st:
- Date internment should be postponed especially regards families until camps properly equipped [and] food supply regularly organized. Camps designated generally [in] condition complete unpreparedness; understaffed local Japanese consular authorities not position take necessary steps complete organization within time limit fixed internment.
- 2nd:
- Request more liberal policy concerning optional exemption aged, infirm, sick (exemption latter category already partly accepted) pregnant women, infants with indispensable nursing staff or relatives.
- 3rd:
- Make representations prevent [use as?] separated camp Yangchow which small inland place near Nanking utterly unsuitable every respect; contact with this place very difficult. Insist all residents Shanghai be interned Shanghai or immediate neighborhood only.
- 4th:
- Insist obtain permission [for] camps’ inspection prior internment and authorization visit camps regularly immediately thereafter.
Press also obtain permission organize more comfort and pay to insure small additional food allowance. Although Haiphong road camp established over 3 months, not yet obtained permission visit.”
Consul adds making every effort emphasize points which greatly disturb prospective internees but since orders originate Tokyo local authorities unable take action.
Swiss Foreign Office already communicated information Legation’s 1011 and above [to] Swiss Legation Tokyo [and] requested Legation intervene Japanese authorities obtain postponement general internment.
- Not printed; it reported the opinion of the Swiss Consulate at Shanghai that local representations against internment measures would be of no avail and requested that the American and British Governments “examine whether considering international status Shanghai and fact enemy nationals were not interned during last war, exceptions could be demanded.” (740.00115A Pacific War/365)↩