740.00115A Pacific War/610 Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 13—10:46 p.m.]
5692. American interests—occupied China. Legation’s 3716, June 22, and 5391, September 1. Foreign Office notes received September 7 and 9 contain following information regarding internment camps of Pootung and Chapei near Shanghai.
- (a)
- When Swiss Consul General visited Camp Pootung internees stated only permitted spend freely three-sevenths of monthly relief of 700 dollars accorded them and that its use was determined by Japanese authorities very probably with tacit approval men confidence Similar statements made to Intercroixrouge delegate who visited camp recently.
- (b)
- Swiss, Consulate General obtained indirectly detailed statement indicating use of relief which has been paid between March through July 1943 to persons interned Chapei. Of 2,734,000 dollars internees were able spend freely for purchases canteen only 1,480,000 dollars relief, [sic] permitted following milk; 83,000; eggs 38,000; other food 378,000; infirmary equipment 38,00; kitchen equipment [Page 1033] 24,000; building repairs 60,000; other equipment 90,000; shoe purchases and repair 174,000; laundry 43,000; taxis for sick 43,000; hospital and doctors bills 34,000.
Swiss Consulate noted since May it pays directly hospital and doctors bills and that during first 3 months of camp it sent to internees large supply tinned food and medicaments [in] its own name and in name associations.
In first paragraph Legation’s 5391 word hundred inadvertently omitted between words one and dollar.