File No. 763.72114/3592a
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall)
1864. Inform Swiss Government that this Government proposes in the near future to submit to the German Government a draft of an informal arrangement for the repatriation or internment in a neutral country of certain categories of invalid prisoners of war. [Page 77] Ascertain whether Swiss Government would be willing to provide for the internment in Switzerland of those prisoners captured from the American forces who may come within the categories specified. Further ascertain whether Swiss Government with the approval of the German Government would designate a medical commission to visit prison camps in Germany where American prisoners are detained and to pass upon the eligibility of those prisoners for internment in a neutral country or for repatriation. You may state that this Government will gladly pay all proper expenses which the Swiss Government may incur in this respect and will also agree to feed all American prisoners who may be interned in Switzerland from the stocks placed at the disposal of the American Prisoners Central Committee by the War and Navy Departments. You may add that this Government fully realizes the great burden which the Swiss Government has assumed in the humanitarian treatment of so many invalid prisoners of war from many of the belligerent nations, and that it will therefore view with extreme gratification and appreciation any favorable reply which the Swiss Government may feel in a position to give in the premises.