Office of the Historian

740.00114A Pacific War/531: Airgram

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

Washington, July 17, 1943—7:20 p.m.

A–256. American interests—Japan. Legation’s despatch 5363, June 15.77 Request Swiss authorities to bring the following to the attention of the Japanese Government:

1.
In declaring that it would apply the provisions of the Geneva Prisoners of War Convention, the Japanese Government has obligated itself to lodge prisoners of war in barracks affording all possible guarantees of hygiene and healthfulness. As it appears that prisoner of war camps at Chikko and Kobe are not situated in a healthy location, better facilities should be provided.
2.
Regulations, orders, notices, and proclamations of every kind should be communicated to the prisoners in the language which they understand in accordance with Article 20 Geneva Convention.
3.
Have prisoners given permission that their funds be converted to yen?
4.
Swiss should endeavor to obtain reciprocal treatment as regards mail. See Department’s 756, May [March] 26.
5.
Men of Confidence should be permitted to correspond with the protecting Power in accordance with Article 44.
6.
Clothing should be provided in accordance with Article 12.
7.
The length of the day’s work of the prisoners including the time consumed in going to and returning from work should not be excessive and should not in any case exceed that of local civilian workers engaged in the same type of work as is provided in Article 30 of the Convention. Moreover, each prisoner should have a rest of 24 consecutive hours every week in accordance with the same Article.

Hull
  1. Not printed.↩