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

711.94114A I. R./6: Telegram

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

Bern, July 21, 1943.
[Received July 23—4 a.m.]

4338. American interests—Far East camp reports. Department’s 1037, May 1st. Legation Tokyo telegraphs:

Difficult for inspectors obtain desired information each camp visited. Such data supplied by Japanese authorities with great reluctance. On basis previous visits, following answer Department’s questions.

(1) Civilian internees not required perform labor.

(2) Noncoms labor similarly soldiers receive 15 sen daily.

(3) Officers employed exclusively as supervisors.

(4) All physically fit POW’s required labor divided various groups according nature place labor.

(5) About 70 percent labor outside camp return camp evenings.

(6) Camp doctor generally determines those physically fit. In his absence labor supervisor decides.

(7) Camps administered basis regulations issued by Japanese authorities.

(8) Labor generally performed near camps.

(10) Labor performed according regulations Japanese industry.

(11) Military authorities furnish food, clothing, medical care within limitation present inadequate supplies.

(12) Laborers generally return camp every evening.

(15) Wages paid cash.

(16) No deductions for maintenance.

(17) Laborers can purchase very few articles with wages as canteens contain only limited supplies.

Regarding questions (9), (13) and (14), refer information already supplied (Department’s 2685, November 30, Legation’s 905, February 9; 1383, February 27 and 2756, May 5th⁷⁹).

Harrison

79. Nos. 2685, 1383, and 2756 not printed; for summaries of Nos. 2685 and 1383, see footnotes 4 and 5, p. 961.

    In a memorandum of July 31 to the Assistant Chief of the Special Division (Gufler), the Chief of the Division (Keeley) commented on a draft telegram in reply to No. 4338 as follows: “Don’t you think it advisable to corral all these pin pricks until we get on with the impending exchange involving as it does the shipment of much needed medical supplies to our ps/w [prisoners of war] in the Far East”. (711.94114A I.R./6) Similarly, in a memorandum of August 21, commenting on a draft telegram protesting inadequate Japanese measures to control malaria and other diseases, George L. Brandt, Executive Assistant to Mr. Long, expressed his agreement and that of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs with Mr. Keeley that “the complaints should not be put forward at this time in view of the exchange situation.” (740.00115A Pacific War/555) Neither draft telegram was sent.