Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

340.1115A/2459a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle)

Washington, February 16, 1942—6 p.m.

458. American Interests. Department’s 354, February 6, 6 p.m.

1. Instruction in paragraph 3 was intended to apply to whereabouts and welfare inquiries only in respect of areas where Swiss Government is now or may later represent the interests of the United States. Inquiries respecting American nationals in countries where this Government has its own representatives will, of course, continue to be handled through such representatives.

2. Department has learned informally that American Bed Cross is now able through the facilities of the International Committee to take over whereabouts and welfare inquiries in all enemy and enemy-occupied territories. May Department assume, therefore, that American Red Cross negotiations with International Committee, which you were directed in Department’s 354 to support, have resulted in successful issue? In your opinion, may the Department now refer all inquiries of the nature discussed in the foregoing paragraph 1 to American Red Cross with conviction that they will be handled more expeditiously in that way than through your office and the Swiss Government, in view of the considerations reported in your 257, January 24?

Hull