890.1115A/1199: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of
State
Bern, September 26, 1942.
[Received
September 26—10:16 a.m.]
4394. American interests—Japan. Swiss Foreign Office communicates by
notice dated yesterday following information telegraphed by Swiss
Legation, Tokyo, September 23:
- “(1) Situation American citizens Japan suddenly
aggravated in sense that most if not all have been
interned. These measures particularly hit ecclesiastics
who include number Catholic sisters devoting themselves
to teaching and who were forced abandon suddenly their
schools.
- (2) It is not at present possible to ascertain if
measure is general. Japanese Foreign Office states
applies only American citizens regarding whom
authorities had reasons to sever contact with Japanese
population and that list will be communicated near
future to Swiss Minister. Japanese Foreign Office has
assured Gorgé that new internees are well treated.
However, until present they are not permitted to receive
visits.
- (3) Swiss Minister fears these measures will interfere
with steps taken for repatriation American citizens
still [in] Japan but he had not been [able] to obtain
positive indications this regard from Japanese Foreign
Office. He believes question internees must be settled
between American and Japanese Governments on basis
reciprocity. Japanese Government has declared it has no
intention employ reprisals against innocents but it
complains attitude American authorities who according
Japanese Government only authorize one single visit or
two at maximum to interned Japanese and who have as yet
communicated no list of interned Japanese to Spanish
Embassy Washington.
- (4) Swiss Minister believes if he can be exactly
informed of situation interned Japanese civilians [in]
United States and is in a position to furnish
satisfactory assurances this subject Japanese
Government, his representations in favor interned
Americans will undoubtedly have greater chance success.
The accounts of Japanese nationals repatriated from
United States since their arrival Japan on treatment
they received from American officials have poisoned
atmosphere and official Information Bureau Japanese
Government has publicly and violently denounced the
rigorous measures which official Japanese sources impute
to American authorities regarding interned
Japanese.”54
French text following airmail.55
