740.00115 European War 1939/1677: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle)6
68. Your 57, 6th. Please request the Swiss Government to be good enough to make a communication in the following sense to the German Government in reference to the attitude of the German Government toward civilian American nationals as expressed in your telegram under reference:
“The Government of the United States by reason of the state of war now existing between it and certain other countries has not altered its attitude in respect of the treatment of civilian enemy aliens as set forth in identical telegrams addressed to the American Embassies at London, Paris and Berlin on September 29, 1939 for communication to the British, French and German Governments. This telegram was as follows:
[Here follows text of telegram printed in Foreign Relations, 1939, volume I, page 641.]
“In line with the above recommendation the Government of the United States is itself applying to civilian enemy aliens in this country as liberal a regime as is consistent with the safety of the United States. There has been no mass internment of such aliens. Of the approximately three hundred fifteen thousand (315,000) German aliens and nearly two hundred thousand (200,000) Austrian aliens in continental United States not more than a comparative few have been taken into custody since the entry of the United States into the war. Of the small number apprehended since the declaration of war none has as yet been sentenced to internment. Only a very few women have been detained and, as with males, only for reasons of national safety pertaining to the individual. Cases of detained enemy aliens are being individually examined on their merits by special civilian boards, including trained legal personnel, in all the judicial districts of the United States. The decisions of these boards, which may recommend release, parole, or internment, are reviewed by the Attorney General of the United States. Special provision is made to expedite consideration of necessitous or hardship cases. Individuals whose liberty is found not to be contrary to the safety of the United States will be unconditionally released, or paroled. Those whom it may be found necessary to intern will be treated at least as favorably as prisoners of war, and to this end the United States has already communicated through the Swiss Government to the other enemy governments its intention to apply to civilian enemy aliens the provisions of the Geneva Prisoner of War Convention of July 27, 1929,7 in so far as they are adaptable, on a reciprocal basis.
Stations of temporary detention as well as places of internment are open to inspection by representatives of the protecting powers and by neutral international agents such as the Red Cross. Such inspections are invited. In letters from detained aliens which have been [Page 247] reviewed by censors in the detention stations, the writers have generally expressed themselves as well satisfied with conditions.
The Government of the United States would be glad to learn whether the German Government is prepared reciprocally to apply a similar policy to civilian American nationals in Germany and German-occupied territories. In particular this Government desires assurances that there will be no further mass internment of civilian American nationals in Germany and that the men between 18 and 60 years of age already stated to have been arrested as well as any other American nationals detained for reasons over which they have no control have been released, except in so far as there is any reason to detain any particular individual for reasons for which he alone is responsible.
Enemy aliens not under detention, are free to move about their places of residence, to travel within the boundaries or limits of the municipality, town, village, locality or community in which they reside, from place to place therein and in such manner as will permit them to engage in the activities usual in their community; commuting from their homes to their places of business, or to travel between their homes and their places of religious worship, schools, colleges, or institutions of learning at which they are in regular attendance, or any Federal, state or local government agency with which they are required to transact business.
Unless this Government receives promptly assurances that the German Government is permitting equal freedom to American nationals in Germany and German-occupied territories this Government will reluctantly have to reexamine its position.”
- A similar message containing appropriate changes for delivery to the Japanese Government was sent to the Chargé in Switzerland as telegram No. 219, January 26 (390.1115A/676a).↩
- Foreign Relations, 1929, vol. i, p. 336.↩