740.00115A Pacific War/411: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
Bern, March 26,
1943.
[Received March 26—6:12 p.m.]
[Received March 26—6:12 p.m.]
1924. American interests Far East. Legation’s 1346, February 26,36 and 1726, March 16. Foreign Office note March 23. Swiss Legation Tokyo reports Japanese Government replied following his request postponement mass internments occupied China.
- “1. Competent authorities felt obliged assemble [in] special regions nationals enemy countries to prevent espionage occupied territory China. They desired thereby allow these nationals continue reside with families. Accordingly civilian assembly centers were established which differ internment camps where relatives separated.
- 2. Similar measures previously taken [in] Malaya, former Netherlands East Indies, Canada, United States, countries where authorities compelled Japanese nationals resident many years one locality move elsewhere without or very short warning. Under such circumstances Japanese Government feels impossible cancel or postpone internment measures because nationals enemy countries have imaginary fears regarding future conditions.
- 3. Means subsistence civilians assembled these centers and sanitary measures assured by Japanese Government.
- 4. Japanese Government in principle authorizes visits civilian assembly centers, sending gifts civilians therein especially those ill. [In] view [of] special circumstances prevailing Shanghai, Swiss Legation requested advise local authorities when desires visit or send gifts.
- 5. Japanese Government also requests Swiss Legation verify with local authorities information from nationals enemy countries regarding civilian assembly centers and internment camps China.”
In transmitting foregoing Swiss Minister added would shortly submit report.
Harrison
- Not printed; it reported that the Swiss Minister had made representations to the Japanese Foreign Office about the mass internment of Americans in China (740.00115A Pacific War/373).↩