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

711.94114A/8–1144: Telegram

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

Bern, August 11, 1944—1 p.m.
[Received 5:17 p.m.]

5217. American Interests, Far East—Financial Assistance. Legation’s 4282, July 5,⁸⁷ and 4763, July 25.⁸⁸ Foreign Office note August 7 states Swiss Legation, Tokyo, reports Japanese Foreign Office, while showing great reserve, stated that monthly assistance from 10 to 20 pesos per POW would not appear exceed limit of what might be considered financial relief. Gorgé suggests, provided American Government approves, that at outset 15 pesos be accorded each POW who, excluding officers, according lists furnished Swiss Legation, Tokyo, number approximately 15,000. Monthly relief, therefore, would approximate 225,000 pesos or 450,000 yen.

Regarding relief Netherlands Indies, Gorgé states, according lists from Japanese, approximately 200 American prisoners of war Java, 3 Borneo, 40 civilians Java, 3 Sumatra, 9 Borneo. Relief of 15 florins monthly per prisoner of war or internee would, therefore, amount 3,825 florins, equaling 7,650 yen. Gorgé adds that until exact information received regarding conditions Netherlands Indies payments at the beginning might be reduced to 10 florins per person. Gorgé concludes, stating Swedish representatives pay non-interned Dutch 15 to 50 florins and interned 15 monthly, but not yet able forward funds prisoners of war.

Swiss Foreign Office urgently requests instructions.

Harrison

87. Not printed; it reported a statement by the Japanese Foreign Office that it was prepared to intervene with competent Japanese authorities for the payment of relief funds to Americans held in the Philippines (711.94114A/7–544).
88. Not printed; it reported a statement by the Japanese Foreign Office that there was no objection to sending relief to Americans held in the Netherlands Indies (711.62114A/7–2544).