740.00114A Pacific War/228: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 6—1:20 a.m.]
5010. American interests—Japan, prisoners of war. Following taken from informal Foreign Office note based on preliminary report from Gorgé who emphasizes information has no official character and does not constitute a reply to Department’s 2416, October 23.
Gorgé reports following is substance but not text message Japanese General Staff published October 19:
“After examination of reports of declarations made by members of the crews of the American aircraft who raided the mainland of Japan on April 18, 1942, seven [severe?] penalties in accordance with military laws have been imposed upon those who ignored the principles of humanity. Any member of the crew of enemy aircraft who raid the territory of Japan and come within reach of our authority who is found to have committed cruel and inhuman acts shall be tried before a military court and suffer death or other severe penalty. Same treatment shall be applied to aviators who raid Manchukuo or any area of our military operations and come within reach of our authority.”
Identical proclamation published by Japanese authorities at Shanghai. Japanese press alleged American aviators machine-gunned children playing near school. Résumé Nichi Nichi article appearing October 21:
“Whatever their aim or objective may be [in] raiding Japan, we propose that all enemy aviators who fall into our hands, after defacing this blessed land of ours, shall be beheaded without discrimination.”
Gorgé emphasizes no reason to suppose Japanese Army will adopt this proposal.
Copy of note following [by] air mail.57
- Despatch No. 4358, February 23, 1943, not printed.↩