File No. 763.72114/3859
The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 26, 9.46 p.m.]
4071. My 4062, July 24, 9 a.m. In a note verbale from Swiss Political Department to Legation received today, Swiss Government [Page 33] abandons position taken in communication to Red Cross mentioned in my telegram under reference, and requests the consent of interested governments to charging of half rates for transport of prisoners’ supplies on Swiss railways, urging financial difficulties and onerous burden due to length of war.
Swiss Government mentioned fact that privately owned railways in prisoners’ own country are in a position to charge for transport while government-owned railways in foreign country are prohibited from doing so under article 16 of annex to Hague convention regulating land warfare. The note expresses a hope that United States Government will meet wishes of Swiss Government in this matter.