390.1115A/1234: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 15—10:20 a.m.]
4657. American Legation’s 4394, September 26,64 Department’s 2294, 1st.63 Swiss Legation Tokyo telegraphs October 12 following:
“Minister Gorgé had conference October 9 Japanese Ministry Foreign Affairs at which ‘Vice Minister’ assured him Japanese Government had no intention renounce second evacuation American citizens but not possible at present give exact date. Other officials who handle evacuation matters gave Minister supplementary information according which delay second exchange due fact American Government reported found only about one-third of 1500 Japanese which Japan desires repatriate. Japanese Government waits information from American Government regarding new endeavors locate missing Japanese.
Japanese Government gave following replies in substance to three questions asked by Department (1) statements made by Japanese authorities apply to all visits in general, (2) through official information bureau Japanese Government continues make complaints regarding treatment meted Japanese civilians in American Republics which does not help negotiations, (3) in addition to fact that Japanese authorities disapprove treatment of Japanese subjects recently repatriated, Japanese Government irritated by measures in United States and other countries which it considers under control Washington, such as Mexico, Peru, Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica towards Japanese civilians in general. Japan claims that regime imposed on Japanese subjects strongly contrasts with generous treatment given enemy internees its territories.
In communicating above Minister Gorgé adds following observations: To answer 1: Meantime situation changed special report on new internment measures in preparation. To answer 2: Despite remarks made Japanese authorities believe evacuation will take place soon as American Government ready repatriate Japanese subjects designated, nevertheless work completing internment camps continues, indicating early evacuation not planned, true, however, authorities controlling internment may act independently of political authorities.”