740.00115 Pacific War/1547: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 20—11:47 p.m.]
2453. American interests—Far East, medical treatment internees. Consulate, Shanghai, telegraphs.
“Inquired Japanese Consulate method handling medical treatment American internees. Replied internees receive free medical, dental care [in] camp infirmary (with exception gold crowns, bridges and plates). If medical treatment necessitates transfer hospital, internees must pay expenses.
As internment camp infirmaries not adequately equipped, Japanese authorities ordinarily send seriously ill internees Shanghai hospital. As majority such persons without personal resources unable pay hospitalization and medical treatment. Believe under circumstances best solution advance necessary funds against promissory notes.
If American Government desires [Consulate is] prepared intervene Japanese authorities remind them they obligated pay cost internees including medical treatment. Fear, however, if cost medical treatment left Japanese, internees will not receive required medical care. View urgency request early reply.”48
- In telegram No. 1186, May 18, to the Minister in Switzerland, the Department authorized the Swiss to pay for hospitalization and medical treatment of civilian internees.↩