390.1115/3313: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
1314. American interests—Shanghai. Your 2193, May 20, 5 p.m. Department is pleased that Legation has expressed to Foreign Office appreciation for prompt action taken and desires you add this Government’s thanks and its hope that Swiss Minister at Tokyo may be able prevail upon Japanese Government promptly to give effect to its commitments under Geneva Convention and in addition to according proper treatment fulfill its obligations under Article 86 to permit visits of inspection by Swiss representatives. This Government must insist on a basis of reciprocity that Japanese Government take all necessary steps to insure that military commanders and other Japanese authorities in outlying areas under Japanese control understand Japanese Government’s commitments respecting Geneva Prisoners of War Convention and apply its provisions to prisoners of war and civilian internees.
Swiss representative Shanghai should be requested to report by telegraph names of arrested civilians and obtain assurances that all of them will be included on first exchange vessel in accordance with exchange agreement with Japanese Government.
[For a press release issued by the Department of State, May 23, on “Treatment of Civilian Enemy Aliens and Prisoners of War”, see Department of State Bulletin, May 23, 1942, page 445.]