394.1153/8: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 26—10:45 a.m.]
5453. American interests China. Legation’s 4603, October 10. Swiss Consulate General Shanghai telegraphs November 23 following:
“Japanese authorities occupied China recently undertook general investigation property citizens countries at war with Japan with intention transfer to name Japanese Consulate General Shanghai ownership of properties registered American and British Consulates.
Japanese Consulate General requested Swiss Consulate General communicate information contained financial registers among archives representatives third powers whose interests Switzerland protecting.
Japanese Consulate repeated request shortly afterward stating in case refusal Japanese military authorities might find necessary sequester financial registries in question to obtain information they required. Swiss Consulate General while stating prepared furnish information certain cases which seemed justified replied did not consider authorized accept method procedure which appeared incompatible with obligations protect security archives entrusted to it. Nevertheless 3 or 4 days ago Japanese military authorities insisted on surrender archives confided to Swiss Consulate Canton. Consul6 protested against order but forced turn over archives Japanese authorities.”
Swiss Foreign Office in forwarding above communication states already requested Swiss Legation Tokyo protest Japanese Foreign Office [Page 1084] regarding these demands made by Japanese military authorities occupied China.
- August Hoffmeister.↩