Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

740.00115A Pacific War/1131: Telegram

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

Bern, April 15, 1944.
[Received April 16—3:46 a.m.]

2372. American Interests—Japan. POW mail. Legation’s 7261, November 18, Department’s 3170, December 18.⁴⁶ Swiss note April 13 states Swiss Legation, Tokyo, telegraphs Japanese Government decided forward via Siberia POW and civilian internee mail addressed persons resident United States; also mail addressed Japanese nationals living there.

Owing status negotiations further Anglo-Japanese exchange, Japanese Government requests American Government take similar action basis reciprocity.⁴⁷

Harrison

46. Neither printed.
47. Department’s reply given in telegram 1379, April 21, 8 p.m., to Bern. In this telegram the Department stated that the United States was carrying to Tehran mail of Japanese prisoners of war and civilian internees to be forwarded by the Soviet Government to Japanese authorities and suggested similar mail from the Far East be delivered by Japanese authorities to the Soviet Government for forwarding to United States authorities at Tehran.