740.00114 European War 1939/2108: Telegram

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

376. Your 398, 4th. Please ask the Swiss Government to ascertain from the Japanese Government whether this Government is correct in its assumption that the expression mutatis mutandis under the second point means that Japan will also apply the provisions of the Prisoner of War Convention to civilian enemy alien internees as suggested by this Government in its 331 of December 18.

This Government has informed the Spanish Embassy in charge of Japanese interests in the United States that visits are invited to prisoner of war camps and to civilian detention stations. Please ask Swiss Government to request permission for Swiss representatives in Japan and Japanese-occupied territory at earliest possible moment to begin visits of inspection to places of detention of American nationals, both prisoners of war and civilians, in Japanese hands in accordance with Article 86 of the Geneva Prisoners of War Convention.

Hull