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

740.00115A Pacific War/498: Telegram

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

Bern, July 8, 1943.
[Received July 8—9:01 p.m.]

4019. American interests Japan, Guam internees. Legation’s airmail 5187, May 31.³² Legation Tokyo reports:

Clothing Guam internees³³ entirely insufficient. Intervened repeatedly Japanese authorities but despite promises nothing received.

Underclothes, socks, pullovers indispensable, impossible purchase Japan. Request authorization make necessary purchase Shanghai. Propose use part $3,500 which Congress [of] Industrial Organizations labor groups remitted Swedish Legation for use YMCA, balance by promissory notes. Request urgent information whether above procedure satisfactory.³⁴

Full text report follows airmail.³⁵

Harrison

32. Not printed.
33. These internees were detained at a camp in Kobe, Japan.
34. In telegram No. 1773, July 27, to the Minister in Switzerland, the Department gave its approval to this procedure (740.00115A Pacific War/498).
35. Despatch No. 5546, July 8, not printed.