390.1115A/1675: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
Bern, August 3,
1943.
[Received August 3—11:59 p.m.]
[Received August 3—11:59 p.m.]
4693. American interests China. Basis Department’s 1100, May 7, Legation Tokyo made representations Japanese Government to obtain similar treatment for American citizens accorded Japanese by American authorities.
Japanese Foreign Office replied following.
- 1.
- View present transportation difficulties, impossible authorize internees civilian assembly centres take heavy baggage. Competent authorities therefore decided permit internees only take effects they themselves considered indispensable or desirable. Internees permitted take such effects without limitation. Regulations perfectly fair, did not adversely affect welfare internees, not type justify protest especially if one compares methods adopted Japanese authorities to very severe measures adopted American Government towards Japanese interned United States.
- 2.
- All persons notified internment at least one week advance permitted freely dispose property as deemed best. All cases where impossible internees make necessary dispositions quickly, Japanese authorities gave assistance auctioning property. If one compares benevolent attitude Japanese Government to fact Japanese subjects United States not informed their internment until last moment, consequently unable make necessary dispositions arrange affairs, one reaches conclusion on this point also protest American Government unfounded.
- 3.
- Internees civilian assembly centres already permitted send, receive correspondence.
Harrison