Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

703.5411B/1: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle)

Washington, January 3, 1942—7 p.m.

13. American High Commissioner in the Philippines⁷⁶ in a telegram dated January 2⁷⁷ reports that the Swiss Consul at Manila, M. R. [Albert] Sidler, in pursuance of instructions from his Government has been most helpful in intermediary work between American authorities and the Japanese. The High Commissioner suggests that this Government may wish to make further use of intermediary services of the Swiss Consul.

Please request Swiss Federal Political Department to instruct the Swiss Consul at Manila to render such good offices as may be possible to this Government along the lines of the action he has already undertaken and in such other respects as opportunity may permit. For your information: because of the special status of the Philippine Islands this Government does not request the Swiss Government to undertake “the representation” of American interests in the Philippine Islands which are American territory.

Department would appreciate report regarding whereabouts and welfare of American Foreign Service personnel at Manila, both those stationed at that post and those who were there en route to other posts when hostilities commenced. Department would desire to obtain, if possible, inclusion of any of these persons who may fall into Japanese hands, members of their staffs and their dependents in the exchange of official personnel between this Government and Japan.⁷⁸

Department would further appreciate report regarding treatment of American citizens by occupying authorities.

Hull

76. Francis B. Sayre.
77. Not printed.
78. For correspondence on this subject, see pp. 377 ff.