740.00115A Pacific War/59½: Telegram
The Chargé in Switzerland ( Huddle ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 5—2:32 a.m.]
865. American interests—Japan and China. Department’s 196, January 23, and Legation’s 733, February 24. Swiss Foreign Office note February 28 communicates following substance telegram from Swiss Legation, Tokyo, dated February 25:
“I continue make all possible efforts get in touch regularly with interned American civilians. Awaiting lists from Foreign Office of internees, prisoners, and Americans at liberty. Constantly running into difficulties to make Japanese accept my right of regular visits. Consul, Kobe,38 not been able receive permission visit Kobe and Osaka but my representative has been able to talk to internees at Kyoto. According information received to date cannot conclude there is bad treatment. I visited myself, Monday, camp internees at Yokohama [Page 802] but I only found there seven Americans who did not make any particular complaints and who were all in good spirits. They pointed out that food not abundant but I explained to them that situation same for everyone in Japan. I also visited American Consulate, Yokohama, and interviewed Consul General Linnell but this took place in presence police officer who did not understand enough English to follow us. Situation in general satisfactory but each evidently feels weight of captivity which brings me to draw attention to necessity speeding exchange negotiations.
I am waiting new reports situation internees at Dairen, Chosen, Kobe and Osaka but I have no reason be too worried about their condition. I learned that civilians from Guam who were interned at Kobe were destitute and I gave instructions to Consul Champoud that necessary measure be taken to ameliorate their condition. I am continually making representations to Foreign Office to obtain improvements but I remark that Japanese administration proves to be very slow.”
- Maurice Champoud.↩