701.0090/1877: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 26—11:59 a.m.]
5242. American interests. Far East exchange. Department’s 1999, August 18 [19]; 2014, 20th.95 Following telegram dated August 25 from Gorgé received Legation this morning based upon Japanese Foreign Office note August 24:
“1. Japanese Government received from Swiss Legation at 5 p.m. on 23rd August a note which appears to constitute an outline of memorandum addressed by United States Government to Spanish Embassy in Washington on 13th August.96 In this note it is stated that United States Government have made a supplementary list of 267 evacuees out of lists of evacuees nominated by Japanese Government and that number of passengers made available in this list exceeds number of deletions, namely 226 transferred from Peru, those transferred from Hawaii, who do not wish to leave their families behind and those who withdrew their request to be repatriated. But list of names of said 267 persons has not yet been received nor is clear the number of persons in excess. However, with a view to avoiding any possible delay being caused to date of exchange which has now been fixed upon, Japanese Government propose that in order to eliminate this number of persons in excess, utilization of last remaining capacity shall be decided by (1) placing at top the ‘90 persons of high priority standing’ referred to in American memorandum and (2) entrusting Spanish Ambassador to select remainder according to second paragraph (excepting D) of Japanese memorandum of 10th August.97 Japanese Government request United States Government to make a final decision in this way and let those who will have been thus selected embark, provided that their names are telegraphed as soon as decided so that they may reach Japanese Government by September 5th Tokyo time at latest.
2. Simultaneously with above said American note Japanese Government received replies of United States Government to Japanese memoranda of 29th July and 10th August. Japanese Government believe that United States Government have been kept informed by Swiss Legation, Tokyo, of ardent efforts which have been made by Japanese Government in close contact with that Legation in order to meet as far as possible desires of Governments of United States and other countries in America. Agreement of Swiss Legation has already been obtained to repatriation of 1351 persons out of whom 1110 being United States citizens. Decision is expected to be made today [Page 916] with regard to about 120 persons (of whom about 90 being United States citizens) out of revised list submitted by Swiss Legation, about whom inquiries have been made at various places in China. As regards remaining 29 or so, negotiations are being made with that Legation with a view to speedy settlement. As regards those United States citizens referred to in American reply who cannot embark for various reasons, Japanese Government are prepared to furnish supplementary explanations through Swiss Legation, and as far as circumstances permit will give facilities to same Legation to ascertain wishes of each individual and will pay due regard to such wishes. In compliance with desire of United States Government in respect of Mrs. Davies in Thailand, Japanese Government will see that she is transferred from Bangkok to a suitable port of embarkation if she desires to be repatriated by forthcoming Japanese-American exchange.
In reply to Japanese memorandum of 10th August, United States Government request Japanese Government to inform them of composition of American party by 26th August Washington time. Although making all possible efforts to meet American desire on this point Japanese Government have to point out that delays are unavoidable in actual communications between Japanese and American Governments. In view of fact that Japanese Government, as has been stated in first paragraph of this memorandum, have entrusted Spanish Ambassador in Washington with selection and decision of certain number of Japanese evacuees Japanese Government trust that United States Government similarly entrust Swiss Minister, Tokyo, with final decision as to evacuees referred to in second paragraph, total number of which is about 29. It would thus be expected to effect exchange on 15th October as arranged.”
In view absence definite assurance by Japanese for inclusion official Foreign Service group from Manila, categoric assurance this effect requested urgently by Swiss Foreign Office August 22 telegram to Gorgé.
- Telegram No. 2014 not printed.↩
- See telegram No. 1956, August 14, to the Minister in Switzerland, p. 898.↩
- See telegram No. 4961, August 14, 10 a.m., from the Minister in Switzerland, p. 899. Paragraph D gave names and addresses of 33 persons and their dependents whose repatriation had not previously been requested by the Japanese Government. In telegram No. 5270, August 26, the Minister reported Japanese Foreign Office request that “(excepting D)” be deleted (701.0090/1881).↩