740.00114 European War 1939/2668: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
2669. Your 4414, September 26th. American interests—Japan, prisoners salaries. Request Swiss Government to communicate the following reply to proposals made by Japanese Government concerning salaries to be paid officer prisoners of war:
(1) This Government provides Japanese officer prisoners of war without charge with food rations according to schedule previously furnished Japanese Government (see Department’s no. 712 March 19) at an approximate daily cost of 50 cents and clothing equal in quality and quantity to that of enlisted men in the United States Army and in addition pays them salaries at the rate proposed in Department’s 1112.67 American Government believes that since food and clothing are furnished to enlisted men who are prisoners of war the same food and clothing should be furnished their leaders who are prisoners of war. This Government, however, expects at conclusion of war to be reimbursed for the value of food rations issued Japanese officer prisoners of war as well as for the clothing and supplies furnished them and in a like manner will reimburse Japanese Government for food rations, clothing, and supplies issued American officer prisoners of war held by the Japanese Government.
(2) American Government notes that Japanese Government will pay American officer prisoners of war same salaries as officers of corresponding grade in Japanese army but that the Japanese Government has no objection to the proposed modifications of monthly salaries to be paid in yen to American officer prisoners of war held by Japan. It is noted, however, that Japanese proposal as repeated in your telegram under reference mentions only two of the three categories proposed in Department’s 1112, May 1, i. e. (a) for ranks corresponding to first and second lieutenants in the United States Army who are to be paid 60 yen monthly and (b) for ranks corresponding to captain in the United States Army to be paid 100 yen monthly, and omits reference to third category proposed for ranks of major and upwards in the amount of 140 yen monthly. Omission of third category may be an error since salaries for rank of major and upwards are not included in second category. Japanese Government also does not state whether rate of exchange of $1.00 equals four yen proposed Department’s 1112 is agreeable. This Government desires to be informed concerning these two points.
If Japanese Government does not agree to furnish food and clothing free of charge to American officer prisoners of war held by it this [Page 829] Government asks that their monthly salaries be increased by an amount equal to cost of maintenance for one month since it does not believe proposed salaries adequate to cover cost of food, clothing, and ordinary needs leaving sufficient balance for pocket money.
(3) This Government notes Japanese Government states methods of payment will be same as for British officers including Canadians, Australians, and officers of other allied countries held by the Japanese Government. Since Japanese Government’s methods of payment to British officers and officer prisoners of war of other allied countries are not known this Government requests to be informed regarding these methods of payment.
(4) American Government notes that Japanese Government states this method of payment will be carried out unilaterally and that it expects Japanese officer prisoners of war held by the American Government will be paid their full salaries as in the past. This Government agrees to pay Japanese officer prisoners of war their full salaries provided they do not exceed those paid American officers and asks that it be informed of salaries paid Japanese officers since it lacks this information.
(5) American Government accepts Japanese Government’s proposal that payments made to prisoners of war as salary shall be reimbursed at conclusion of hostilities by the power which they serve.
(6) This Government notes Japanese Government will make facilities available for the transmission of funds by American Government to families of American officer prisoners of war living Japan and Japanese occupied territories. This Government in like manner will permit transmission of funds through Protecting Power to families living in the United States of Japanese officer prisoners of war held by the United States.
Request Swiss Government to inform Japanese Government that this Government would appreciate an early reply to points raised in this telegram.