390.1115A/1369: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 1—6:48 p.m.]
743. American interests Far East internees. Legation’s 6037, December 21.98 Swiss Consul Shanghai99 telegraphs:
“One hundred and thirty-four Americans without families informed January 23 by Japanese Consul General1 will be interned January 31 factory district Pootung. Japanese authorities stated measure, officially called “segregation”, result military reasons.
Informed non-official but reliable source all Americans including women children numbering about 6,000 to be interned camps vicinity Shanghai and near Nanking by March 15. Japanese authorities will proceed by sections without exception except ill persons and employees municipality [and] other public services whose presence regarded indispensable. For latter special measures taken.
As protest considered useless, request Swiss Legation Tokyo ask Japanese Government provide (1) camps be satisfactory installed organized before internees’ arrival, (2) authorization representatives Consulate General visit camps prior arrival internees, later regular intervals, to agree [with] internees and authorities desirable measures to avoid serious difficulties, (3) Japanese authorities assure adequate protection property left by internees.
Measures taken that persons designated internment can make necessary urgent preparations take sufficient personal effects. Believe similar internments expected Tientsin, Peking.”