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

740.00114 Pacific War/207: Telegram

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

Bern, May 10, 1943.
[Received May 10—8:50 p.m.]

2873. American interests—Japan, POW. Department’s 393 February 15⁵⁴ and 502 March 1.⁵⁵ Swiss Legation Tokyo telegraphs following statement from Japanese Foreign Office:

“American officer POW permitted buy clothing with their pay. Already purchased two pairs trousers and two shirts from Japanese military supplies. Articles daily use provided to noncoms and soldiers satisfactory manner.

Correspondence POW authorized maximum volume circumstances each camp permit. Regulations implied [applied?] by American authorities to Japanese POW regarding correspondence (numbered paragraph 2 Department’s 32 January 4) considered by Japanese Government as applying only to correspondence civilian internees.

Japanese Government unable authorize representatives protecting power converse POW without witness. Articles in canteens sold at usual market prices.”

Harrison

54. Post, p. 1015. For reply to No. 393, see telegram No. 1724, March 16, from the Minister in Switzerland, p. 1019.
55. Not printed.