740.00114A Pacific War/364: Telegram

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

905. American interests—Japan. Department’s 2685, November 30.4 Swiss Legation Tokyo telegraphs following communicated by Japanese Foreign Ministry subject prisoners of war Japan.

  • “1. Work arranged according decision Japanese Government apply mutatis mutandis Geneva Convention July 27, 1929.
  • 2. Work restricted manufacturing, mining, construction, repair bridges, roads, loading et cetera.
  • 3. Hours same [as those of] civilians, pay calculated basis noncoms soldiers Japanese Army. Also receive articles currently required.

Have requested Japanese Government confirm work no direct relations war activities.”5

Harrison
  1. Not printed; it requested that the Swiss Legation in Japan furnish information about Japanese use of the labor of prisoners of war (740.00114A Pacific War/232).
  2. The Japanese Foreign Office’s confirmation was conveyed in telegram No. 1383, February 27, from the Minister in Switzerland. The Department, in telegram No. 550, March 8, to the Minister in Switzerland, requested Swiss representatives to visit labor detachments and report on work being done. (740.00114A European War/270)