740.00115A Pacific War/588: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 1—7:47 p.m.]
5391. American interests, occupied China. Legation’s 3716, June 22. Swiss Consulate, Shanghai, reports credits at disposal Japanese authorities utterly insufficient insure proper provisioning civilian internment camps because cost living rising regularly about 15% monthly. Men of confidence persistently request Swiss increase [Page 1032] monthly payments for [from] 700 to $110044 (one [hundred] dollar[s]45 equals 4.25 Swiss francs).
Report added Swiss payments must be approved Japanese who accord Swiss no facilities control their use. With view exercise at least indirect control [over] use of funds and camp canteens which poorly stocked with sales prices unknown, Swiss Consul Shanghai46 requested authorization send each beneficiary either relief amount in specie or equivalent in products. This refused. Swiss Consulate advised against requesting Japanese for amelioration behalf internees owing low standard living Chinese and some Japanese resident Shanghai.
Recommends, however, Swiss Legation, Tokyo, be instructed request Japanese Government have local authorities refrain from intervening in any manner in relief payments leaving this discretion Swiss representative also to be authorized correspond freely and personally with men of confidence.
Until Japanese Government agree foregoing, Swiss Consulate, Shanghai hesitates recommend augmentation relief. Swiss Foreign Office requests Department’s observations for transmission Tokyo, Shanghai.