701.0090/56: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 16—5:42 p.m.]
2121. American interests—Japan. Swiss Minister Tokyo telegraphs May 12 following in reply to contents Department’s 1033, April 2441 (translation from French).
“Japanese Government would not object to evacuation on first exchange vessel all American diplomatic and consular personnel in Japan, Manchukuo, Indochina, Thailand and Hong Kong provided American Government gives assurance that it will authorize Japanese diplomatic and consular officials in United States, Canada and in Latin American countries which have declared war or broken diplomatic relations to return to Japan on first exchange vessel. Same treatment will be accorded representatives American Red Cross in view of nature of activity of this institution. As for newspaper correspondents, Japanese Government cannot recognize their privileged position and they will be treated as American non-permanent residents. However, in consideration of what I said regarding Japanese newspaper correspondents the interested authorities are considering their position at this moment and the decision of Japanese Government will be communicated as soon as possible.”
Legation assumes that in last sentence foregoing Swiss Minister was referring to last paragraph Department’s 1033 which was forwarded as received to Tokyo and he is being urgently requested to confirm.
- Not printed; it indicated that Department desired confirmation that all officials, newspaper correspondents, and Red Gross representatives in Japan and Japanese-controlled areas would be placed on first exchange vessel without exception (703.5494/32).↩