Office of the Historian

701.0090/10: Telegram

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

Bern, May 8, 1942.
[Received May 8—7:21 p.m.]

1971. American interests—Japan. Department’s 879, April 7. Swiss Legation, Tokyo, telegraphs May 6 following reply Japanese Government (English text):

“Japanese Foreign Office requests that following memorandum dated May 6 be transmitted to United States Government:

(1)
The Japanese Government have been very much surprised to find that apparently no understanding was reached between the Governments [Page 418] concerned regarding the proposed departure of the Belgian, Dutch, and Greek officials by the vessel to be provided in accordance with the arrangement agreed upon between the Japanese and American Governments. Far from having insisted on the departure of these officials by the said vessel, the Japanese Government have agreed upon it in order merely to comply with the request from the representatives of the protecting powers as they have been assured that the American Government’s consent to that effect had been obtained. However, as the intention of the American Government in this matter has now been made clear, the Belgian, Dutch and Greek officials will be accommodated on the vessel to be provided pursuant to the Anglo-Japanese exchange agreement. With regard to the Belgian, Dutch, and Greek non-official personnel, the Japanese Government have never proposed to repatriate them by the same vessel with American citizens.
(2)
As to the vessel or vessels to be selected for the exchange by the American Government, the Japanese Government regret to say that the memorandum referred to above does not contain any concrete and definite plan. It is not clear to the Japanese Government whether the American Government propose to provide two vessels i. e., the Gripsholm and the Drottningholm or only one of these two. Nor is it certain when negotiations for the charter of the Gripsholm will materialize. Under these circumstances the Japanese Government cannot but conclude that the number of Japanese non-official personnel to be repatriated simultaneously with the official personnel is not yet known and the date of departure of the vessel from a United States port cannot yet be fixed. The Japanese Government on their part have selected two vessels namely Asama Maru and Conte Verde, an Italian vessel, which having accommodations in total for 1500 persons will be able to transport on their first voyages more than 1100 non-official persons besides all officials to be exchanged. Other non-official persons to be exchanged will be carried on subsequent voyages.
(3)
The Japanese Government desire to propose that in order to ensure a smooth execution of the reciprocal exchange both Governments undertake to secure arrival at Lourenço Marques of first exchange vessels by July 10th.
(4)
The Japanese Government desire the United States Government will confirm that about 700 non-permanent residents in American countries whose names were communicated to them through the Spanish Government be allowed to embark on the first exchange vessel. They further desire that in allocating remaining accommodations, Japanese non-officials who were forced to leave Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador or Peru be given priority.
(5)
Japanese Government agree to embark all American non-official persons residing at Hong Kong who wish to leave by the first exchange operation. It is anticipated they number about 300.
(6)
With regard to paragraph 5 of the memorandum above referred to (paragraph 7, Department’s 879, April 7) Japanese Government will be able to make clear their attitude shortly.”

Harrison