740.00114 European War 1939/2351: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 26, 1942—11:04 p.m.]
2285. Department’s 717, March 20. Swiss Legation Rome telegraphs May 19 following text of note dated May 15 from Italian Foreign Office (translation from Italian):
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs refers to note verbale 00114 of March 28 by which Swiss Legation transmitted a communication of the United States Government regarding application of the Geneva Convention for treatment of prisoners of war and amelioration of the conditions of the wounded and sick of the army in the field.
Ministry requests Legation forward following reply to American Government:
- 1.
- Italian Government takes note of assurance that American Government is examining proposals 2, 3 and 4 of note verbale of January 22 (see Legation’s 529, February 12) and that it will make clear its stand in regard to these points and Italian Government is awaiting reply in this regard and also in regard to proposal of United States Government concerning point 5 (see Department’s 717, March 20) of above mentioned note verbale.
- 2.
- Italian Government also notes fact that American Government does not intend to apply (pending an agreement between two Governments relative extension to civilian internees of provisions of Geneva Convention) article 27 of that Convention to civilian internees and gives assurances that similar treatment will be applied to American civilians interned in Italy.
- 3.
- Italian Government declares that treatment of American civilians interned in Italy is guided in addition to principles International Law and the Geneva Convention by high humanitarian principles and trusts that similar spirit inspires American Government in treatment of Italian civilians interned in United States.”