342.1121/21
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Canada (Robbins)
Sir: Referring to the Department’s instruction No. 51 dated September 9, 1933, concerning the case of George Giller, alias John O’Brien, I enclose copies of despatches dated August 23 and 24, 1933, received from the American Consul at Kingston, Canada,50 which, respectively, concern the prison of isolation that has been proposed as a means of giving Giller more freedom, and the names of Americans in Canadian penitentiaries.
You are requested to ascertain whether the Dominion authorities would be disposed to ask convicts when they are admitted to penitentiaries for information concerning their nationality and make note of any proof of any such nationality that may be in their possession. By this means information would be available concerning naturalized as well as native-born American citizens who are imprisoned in Canadian penitentiaries.
With respect to the prison of isolation, you are advised that the Department considers that Giller should not be left in the prison of isolation even after it has been remodelled, unless he has been tried for and found guilty of some infraction of prison rules warranting such detention, and, much more, that he should not be kept there permanently. Please report fully concerning the views of the Canadian authorities with regard to this matter.
Very truly yours,
- Neither printed.↩