Office of the Historian

701.0090/1775: Telegram

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

Bern, August 17, 1943.
[Received August 17—3:15 p.m.]

5013. American interests Far East. Repatriation. Department’s 1888, August 7. Legation Tokyo telegraphs Minister Gorgé communicated contents Department’s 1888 [to] Japanese Foreign Office which requested Minister Gorgé transmit following urgent communication English text [to] American Government:

“With reference to a memorandum of the Imperial Japanese Government dated 28 July,82 the Imperial Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs begs to acknowledge the receipt of the substance of the reply of the Department of State of the United States Government83 which was to be communicated to the Spanish Embassy in Washington.

The Imperial Japanese Government, as stated in its memorandum dated 10 August,84 is prepared to effect the second exchange of Japanese and American subjects on about the 15th October at Marmagão and all preparations are being made with the least possible delay. Therefore it is expected that the American Government on their part will proceed with necessary preparations so that all arrangements will be completed in due time.

Further as regards Rio de la Plata, port mentioned in the communication of the American Government, at which the Gripsholm is to call in the course of her outbound voyage, the Imperial Japanese Government understands the said port to be Buenos Aires as set forth in the United States Government’s earlier note dated the 27 [24] June. On this understanding the Japanese Government has communicated with its allied Governments concerned in order to provide safe conduct to the Gripsholm and the Japanese Government on its part is also prepared to afford the same facilities.”

Swiss Foreign Office adds Gorgé had interview Japanese Foreign Office at time presentation Department’s 1888, told personally by Japanese Foreign Office, if exchange cannot take place on October 15, exchange would probably be adjourned sine die.

Harrison
  1. Presumably memorandum No. 202, Ex. 108.03, August 6, from the Spanish Embassy, not printed; for summary, see telegram No. 4714, August 4, from the Minister in Switzerland, p. 891.↩
  2. Memorandum of August 7 to the Spanish Embassy, not printed; for summary, see telegram No. 1888, August 7, to the Minister in Switzerland, p. 893.↩
  3. Text quoted in telegram No. 4961, August 14, 10 a.m., from the Minister in Switzerland, p. 899.↩