740.00114A Pacific War/396: Telegram

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

2179. American interests Far East. Department’s 2868, December 19.15 Legation’s 6222, December 30.16 Swiss Legation Tokyo telegraphs following reply from Japanese Government:

“In principle Japanese Government not opposed sending correspondence and packages to American prisoners of war, civilian internees Japan and territories under Japanese control but cannot authorize neutral ships enter waters where military operation taking place.

However, if American Government disposed send Vladivostok correspondence and packages for American internees either by Soviet [Page 1020] ship or by land across Siberia Japanese Government ready examine possibility relieving present situation.”

Harrison
  1. Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. i, p. 839.
  2. Not printed, but see footnote 98, p. 1013.