File No. 763.72114/2846

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

[Telegram]

1510. Your 813, August 1[3], 5 p.m. Committee recommends that any agreement with German Government should reaffirm chapter 2, section 1, of annex to Hague convention of 1907 and also incorporate in whole or greater part agreement provisionally concluded last month between England and Germany, of which copies forwarded Department by last mail.2 Special emphasis may well be laid on following points:

(1)
Immediate notification of capture to American Red Cross, Berne, to be permitted to each prisoner (similar privileges have not hitherto invariably been allowed).
(2)
Letters to and from prisoners to be censored promptly and not held after censorship.
(3)
Utmost promptness in delivery of packages.
(4)
Entire freedom as to number and contents of parcels sent, excluding razors and articles de sabotage, so called, also excluding literature prohibited by censor.
(5)
Parcel post for prisoners at working camps to be there opened and not at main camps.
(6)
All railway facilities for shipment of parcels to be granted, including cars if required.
(7)
Access of representatives of neutral powers to all camps for American prisoners, including working camps, to be freely allowed and conversations with prisoners without witnesses permitted.
(8)
Labor of prisoners in munition factories and mines prohibited and, in general, work to be adapted to the greatest extent possible to previous occupation of prisoners.
(9)
Prompt distribution of winter and other clothing forwarded from American sources (in this connection attention is called to requirement that civilian clothing for military prisoners must have some marks to readily identify prisoner as military, such as stripe of khaki cloth on sleeve and trousers).
(10)
Ample facilities for outdoor games, such as baseball, to be provided each camp.

[First.] Committee does not expect from acquaintance with facilities afforded Allied Governments that objection will be made on the part of Germany to transmission of packages in any form and of any contents except as above stated.

Attention is called to the possible difficulty and delay in obtaining ratification of agreement by Germany on account of lack of central authority of War Office over different army districts having prisoners in their charge, which are independent in such matters. Also suggested that possibly discussion now or later as to prisoners between American and German commissioners on lines of recent Anglo-German conference at Hague might be desirable. If direct meeting not advisable International Red Cross might act as intermediary. At present this Committee forwards by mail weekly parcels containing two pounds of bread and a half pound sugar. Receipt of parcels now being duly acknowledged. Weekly miscellaneous parcels being temporarily sent from London. As soon as general supplies arrive, six 10-pound parcels a month will be sent each prisoner following British precedent. Sample parcel “A” will contain two pounds tinned meats or American pressed beef, half pound condensed milk, one pound baked beans, quarter pound soup tablets, half pound lard [Page 63] or peanut butter, one pound chocolate, three-quarters pound sugar, one pound cheese, two pounds biscuits, half pound syrup, half pound coffee. First five items will be invariably maintained to which will be added [in different combinations] and in quantities varying from one-quarter to one pound, sugar, cheese, rice, sardines, bacon, codfish, cocoa, chocolate, biscuits, syrups, figs, dates, prunes, salt, jam, and soap, completing 10 pounds total weight. Sugar now included in weekly bread shipments will then be discontinued. Would suggest that bacon, sweet biscuits, and dried vegetables be added to list Castle drafted July 13. In case number of prisoners considerable, freight cars would be chartered. French Bureau has also offered space on their cars.

Second. Committee inclined to question, in view of its opinion as to forwarding of army rations, whether at this juncture [it is] necessary to accredit agents to military bodies. If Department still thinks advisable, suggest Reginald Foster, now in Paris, give me names proposed by American Red Cross, Washington or Paris, satisfactory to this Committee.

Third. Not believed that shipping of army rations advisable, as fresh complications would be introduced and as prisoners can be supplied from England until foodstuffs received here in bulk.

Fourth. Committee considers essential that work of supplying prisoners with food and clothing should be performed exclusively by the Red Cross and by this Committee as its agent. The Young Men’s Christian Association representative for Switzerland fully concurs in this opinion and it is supported by previous experience of other committees. Scope of apportionment leads to great confusion as prisoners are being constantly shifted. If number of prisoners large, neutral representatives could be appointed by American Red Cross, but surely quite unnecessary for long time to come. British and French Bureaus by preference work through camp committees whose chairman is usually responsible noncommissioned officer, and this Committee plans to get additional information [as] precedent for American prisoners by this means. Believed that educational and religious work among prisoners as well as supplying them with amusement is highly important and should be province of Association to exclusion of material matters. This Committee is keeping in close touch with Young Men’s Christian Association at Geneva. Written despatch follows.1

Stovall
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.