701.0090/1640: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland ( Harrison ) to the Secretary of State

3804. American interests Far East, repatriation. Department’s 1311, 2d, and 1333, 4th. Department’s telegrams under reference transmitted Swiss Legation, Tokyo, which replied that in its opinion geographic allotment space described Legation’s 5751, December 843 should remain unaltered.

If situation China resulting recent measures internment taken into consideration, space allotted Americans from occupied China would require large increase to detriment space allotted persons from Japan. Furthermore repatriation American internees from Guam impossible.

Legation Tokyo fears modification allotment space would not receive favorable reception Japanese Government.

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Swiss Legation adds if space allotted Japan and Guam not modified lists previously submitted would not be greatly changed. Nevertheless compliance Department’s instructions would render impossible repatriation second exchange approximately 20 persons not interned included lists previously submitted. One section this group requested repatriation prior first exchange and would be obliged cede place persons who after long hesitations only recently requested repatriation.

Swiss Legation makes following observations regarding Department’s 1333.

  • Section 1: Only 24 persons this group resulting decision regarding Erdelyi. See Department’s 185, January 22.44
  • Section 2: Chilean officials [and] members [of] family number seven; unofficial Chileans should be included section 3.
  • Sections 3 and 4 lists prepared will not be changed.
  • Sections 5, 6 and 7: Swiss Legation will cable definite list when informed whether geographic allocation of space still effective.

For following reason Legation Bern recommends Swiss Legation Tokyo be authorized retain geographic allotment of space as outlined Legation’s 5751 and allot space within geographic divisions according Department’s 1311 and 1333.

Setting aside geographic allocation space might seriously jeopardize proposed sailing Gripsholm about July 15 as Swiss representatives throughout Far East would be obliged prepare new lists on basis different that effective since December 1942.

Harrison
  1. Not printed; it transmitted allocations proposed by the Swiss Legation in Japan as follows: 10 non-American officials, 67 American civilians, 30 Canadians and 3 Latin Americans from Japan and Manchuria; 130 American civilians from Guam; 18 American civilians and 5 Canadians from Indochina; 1 American civilian from Thailand; 10 American civilians, 100 Canadians and 10 Latin Americans from Hong Kong; 160 American civilians, 20 Canadians and 20 Latin Americans from Manila; and 850 American civilians, 54 Canadians and 11 Latin Americans from occupied China. The message also contained relevant lists prepared by the Swiss Legation (701.0090/1440).
  2. Not printed; in this telegram the Department indicated that Alice Erdelyi was considered ineligible for exchange because of her alien status (390.1115/5217d).