Office of the Historian

740.00115A Pacific War/823: Airgram

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

Bern, November 19, 1943.
[Received November 29—3 p.m.]

A–492. American interest Japan. Civilian internment camps, Legation’s airgram 402, October 18. Foreign Office note November 16 states Swiss Legation Tokyo forwarded following information in reply similarly numbered paragraphs Department’s airgram 259, July 20.

(2)
Men of Confidence stated conversion rate fixed by Japanese authorities. Internees not required make purchases, able retain dollars without requesting conversion.
(3)
Internees authorized forward monthly English letter 100 words or two letters weekly 500 words Japanese.
(4)
In principle witnesses present interviews but majority cases do not follow conversation.
(5)
Absence canteen due difficulty obtain merchandise. Furthermore, local authorities have ordered Kobe merchants visits camps periodically.
Harrison