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

125.0094/175: Telegram

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

Washington, May 16, 1942.

1275. American interests—Japan. Your 2095, May 15.⁴⁰ Japanese Government should be informed that as already indicated (Department’s 879, April 7 to you, paragraph 7, third sentence) United States Government has in order to facilitate their contemplated eventual repatriation avoided for the most part arresting and making criminal charges against Japanese nationals to whose activities it objects.

United States Government is of its own initiative making a survey of detention and internment camps to determine names of Japanese in confinement who wish to be repatriated. Likewise, wishes of Japanese Government for repatriation of Japanese nationals, as expressed through Spanish Embassy in charge of Japanese interests, are being given careful attention regardless of status of individuals. United States Government thus confirms that it expects to repatriate upon the contemplated voyages of the Gripsholm (numbering possibly three) all Japanese internees or detainees or other Japanese nationals expressing desire for repatriation whether that desire is first expressed by the individual or by the Spanish Embassy in charge of Japanese interests.

It is assumed that Japanese Government does not wish the Japanese nationals whom it may name to this Government through Spanish channels to be repatriated if these persons publicly declare of their own free will, which the Spanish Embassy as representing the Japanese Government can freely verify, that they do not wish to be repatriated.

As all Japanese nationals interned in this country for the duration of the war who wish to return to Japan will so far as the capacity of the vessel will permit be accommodated on the first sailing of the S. S. Gripsholm it is expected that the Japanese Government will accommodate on the first exchange vessels leaving Japan all those American nationals whom it has interned or arrested. If the Japanese Government agrees full reciprocity is assured.

Hull

40. Not printed.