740.00114 European War 1939/2200: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
2721. Inform International Red Cross Committee that this Government and Italian Government have agreed to enforce Model Agreement attached to Geneva Prisoners of War Convention (Department’s 1400, June 1) and have agreed to ask International Red Cross Committee to appoint neutral members of the Mixed Medical Commissions provided for in Article 69 of the Geneva Prisoners of War Convention.
This Government would, therefore, be grateful if International Red Cross Committee would consent to nominate the neutral members of these commissions. This Government suggests that these commissions be continuing commissions and that in order that they may be able to serve without interruption that the International Red Cross Committee submit simultaneously with the names of the neutral doctors nominated as members of the commissions additional names of neutral doctors to serve as alternate members in case regular members should be unable to perform their duties.
When this Government shall have been informed that the International Red Cross Committee has agreed to nominate these members and that it has been approached by Italian Government in this regard, it will take the action necessary for the appointment of the third member (with an alternate) of the commission in the United States in order that upon a reciprocal basis the repatriation of seriously sick and wounded prisoners of war can be commenced at the earliest opportunity.
Request Swiss Government to communicate substance of this telegram to Italian Government and to ask whether Italian Government [Page 33] has approached International Red Cross Committee regarding nomination of neutral members of Mixed Medical Commissions.