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/7–144: Telegram

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

Bern, July 1, 1944—10 a.m.
[Received 1:20 p.m.]

4190. American Interests, China. Department’s 2160, June 24. Foreign Office note June 26, received June 29, referring contents Legation’s 3812, June 15,⁷⁵ states Swiss Consulate, Shanghai, submits telegraphically following:

1. March, April and May payments to non-interned Americans effected and exhaust 9,000,000 CRB dollars recently released. (Legation urgently requesting Swiss confirm whether February payment made as authorized Department’s 1134, April 4).

2. Remaining 9,000,000 CRB dollars designated by Japanese as reserve has been paid to blocked account with Yokohama Specie Bank at request Japanese Consulate General as condition precedent to resumption relief payments. Nothing remains in former account.

3. Reference Legation’s 4110, June 28,⁷⁶ Swiss Consulate reports paying these persons for June and July and allotting funds for camp equipment. Amounts spent on behalf 360 persons whose internment scheduled for June 28 will amount approximately 12,000,000 CRB dollars. (As only 24 Americans concerned, Legation requesting Swiss confirm⁷⁷ that only 800,000 CRB dollars paid from United States fund.)

4. Japanese authorities have approved resumption payment “comfort allowances” to internees beginning June 1 at 2,000 CRB dollars monthly per person and authorized payment 15,000,000 CRB dollars due internment camps when payment this assistance suspended. Legation inquiring regarding United States portion of latter amount.

5. Amounts mentioned paragraph 3 and 4 above, as well as assistance for non-interned must be taken from special account with Yokohama Specie Bank for funds used in representation foreign interests. This account now contains for American interests 11,000,000 CRB dollars representing equivalent 2,150,000 Swiss francs transferred April 14 (see Legation’s 2534, April 20⁷⁸) which is insufficient cover obligations June and July. Fontanel, therefore, requests additional 2,000,000 Swiss francs be transferred soonest possible for American interests. (From Daymont: As provision for this transfer not included in request for 3,000,000 contained paragraph 1, Legation’s 3649, June 8,⁷⁹ early July transfer of 5,000,000 francs to credit my account now requested.)

6. Reference Legation’s 2662, April 26, Fontanel recommends view continually rising living costs increase from June 1 monthly assistance per adult [in] category I to 10,300 CRB dollars.⁸⁰

Reference paragraph 1 and 5 Legation’s report⁸¹ amounts expended March, April, May payments since foregoing indicates that approximately 9,000,000 relief these 3 months as compared figures Legation’s 2270, April 12 and 4065, June 26.⁸²

Harrison

75. Not printed; but for summary, see footnote 71, p. 1039.
76. Ante, p. 988.
77. Telegram 4807, July 27, from Bern, reported a Swiss Foreign Office note stating that 20 and not 24 Americans had been interned on June 28 and that 350,000 CRB dollars had been granted as June and July relief payments and as a contribution for camp equipment (740.00115A Pacific War/7–2744).
78. Not printed; but for summary, see footnote 39, p. 1029.
79. Not printed; but for summary, see footnote 67, p. 1038.
80. Telegram 2405, July 13, 11 p.m., to Bern, stated that authorizations already made in telegrams 2160, June 24, p. 1038, and 2226, June 30, supra, should satisfy the request made in this paragraph (740.00115A PW/7–144).
81. Presumably in telegram 2270, April 12, 4 p.m., p. 1028.
82. Latter not printed.