Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III

740.00114A Pacific War/396a: Telegram

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

Washington , January 4, 1943.

32. American interests—Japan—prisoners of war. Department’s 1914 August 5th [1942].⁷⁵ Department informed following conditions exist in prisoners of war camp Shisagawa (probably Shinagawa) near Tokyo:

1. Many cases vitamin deficiency exist.

2. One postal card and one letter permitted every 4 months.

3. Prisoners required to work on docks at 10 to 35 sen per day.

Request Swiss Minister, Tokyo,⁷⁶ to endeavor to improve these conditions. He should invite attention of Japanese authorities to following:

1. Vitamin deficiency in diet should be remedied by giving prisoners vitamin concentrates when necessary.

2. Japanese prisoners of war in United States may write each week two ordinary letters of 24 lines each, one post card and one business letter, the length of which may be twice length of ordinary letter. In addition to these communications, spokesmen may write Protecting Power⁷⁷ as often as necessary. United States Government requests that Japanese practice be liberalized so that American prisoners may have mail privileges similar to those given Japanese prisoners in this country.

3. In its 1914 August 5th Department proposed detaining Power pay prisoners equivalent three Swiss francs per day over and above the cost of their maintenance for their labor. No reply has been received from Japanese Government to this proposal. United States Government desires to reach an agreement with Japanese Government on this point in accordance with Article 34 Geneva Prisoners of War Convention.⁷⁸

Swiss authorities should satisfy themselves that prisoners working on docks are not required in contravention of Article 31 Geneva Convention to handle arms, munitions, or other material intended for combat units. Request Swiss to report with regard to this point as soon as practicable.

Hull

75. Not printed; it requested communication to the German, Italian, and Japanese Governments of a proposal by the United States “that prisoners of war whose labor is utilized for other purposes than (1) that necessary for the maintenance or repair of the internment camp, including its appurtenances, (2) that incident to improving or providing for the comfort or health of prisoners, and (3) that concerning the interior economy of their respective internment camps, be paid for their labor the equivalent of three Swiss francs per day over and above the cost of their maintenance.” These Governments were also to be informed that the United States would pay civilian internees who volunteer for labor other than that specified in these categories at a rate of not less than three Swiss francs per day over and above the cost of their maintenance (740.00115A European War 1939/396).
76. Camille Gorgé.
77. Spain was protector of Japanese interests in continental United States.
78. Signed July 27, 1929, Foreign Relations, 1929, vol. i, pp. 336, 344.