File No. 763.72114/3868
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall)
2430. Your 4062, July 24, 9 a.m., 4071, July 25, 9 a.m., 4104, July 27, 4 p. m. and 4199, August 5, 9 a.m. Do not join with your colleagues of cobelligerent nations in any objection which may be made by them to Swiss Government regarding charges of half rates for transport of consignments to prisoners of war, but advise Department of attitude of your colleagues after they have received instructions from their respective Governments and state what action taken by them. If they inquire as to this Government’s position in the matter, you may informally advise them that the United States does not regard the Hague conventions as applicable in the present war and that, in view of all the circumstances and bearing in mind the immense burden that this transportation imposes upon a small neutral state, it would seem reasonable to assent to a charge of half rates by the Swiss Government for this service. You may inform the Swiss Political Department that the United States Government is happy to be able to meet the wishes of the Swiss Government in this matter.