740.00114 European War 1939/4351: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 30—8:40 p.m.]
6103. Legation’s 5937, September 23.30 Federal Councillor von Steiger, head Federal Department Justice and Police, informed Swiss Parliament September 29 that 21,860 refugees from Italy including 960 escaped POWs arrived Switzerland since September 17. Total refugees from all countries now 57,734. Previously arrivals averaged 30 daily now 300. Despite rumors no border incidents occurred.
Three weeks’ quarantine imposed especially as safeguard against typhus although no cases yet noted. Barracks with capacity 5,000 order costing 3 million francs. Army supplied 20,000 blankets, also underclothes, socks. Italians to be used construction work, woodcutting, road building, quarries where most useful.
Military considerations require removal from southern frontier cantons of recent arrivals from Italy as soon as possible. From legal point of view distinction must be made between military internees whose status is defined in international law, political refugees to whom right of asylum is extended under certain rules and panicky civilians who have no reason to remain here. Right of asylum and Swiss humanitarian ideals will continue to motivate Swiss authorities who must also be mindful of dictates of national safety and practical possibilities.
- Not printed.↩