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 Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)

Washington, August 19, 1944—7 p.m.

2859. American Interests—Netherlands Indies. Your 5217 August 11. Bequest Swiss Foreign Office to instruct Swiss Legation Tokyo to take necessary action to extend financial assistance to American prisoners of war, merchant seamen and civilian American nationals in the Netherlands Indies qualified under Department’s 1202 February 14, 1942, as amended (Foreign Service Serial 109 January 22⁹¹). Monthly payment of 15 florins (equivalent to about $7.08 at rate indicated in your 5217) should be made to American prisoners of war, interned merchant seamen and interned civilians. An uninterned American national in Netherlands Indies should be paid a monthly amount not to exceed the maximum of $60 established for that territory by Department’s 1202.

It is desired that all American prisoners of war including officers share equally in the financial assistance and that officers of merchant vessels share equally in such assistance with other qualified merchant seamen. It is assumed that the Swiss Legation, Tokyo, will use the best method available to accomplish the desired objective of affording relief to American prisoners of war. Except in unusual situations, it is not believed that sums of money should be paid directly to the individual American prisoners of war, but that they should be expended on a group basis, with the advice and cooperation of camp committees, leaders, or spokesmen where feasible. Priority should normally be given to the purchase and distribution of medical and food supplies. It is assumed that all possible means will be used to insure receipt of the supplies by the prisoners, to assure that they will be utilized in addition to and not in lieu of those now supplied by the Japanese. To the extent practicable, the Swiss Legation at Tokyo should furnish reports concerning the expenditures of the funds in question and endeavor to obtain confirmatory evidence indicating the receipt of supplies and funds by American prisoners of war. Receipts in the form of promissory notes should be obtained, if possible, from all civilian recipients including merchant seamen.

A monthly report should be made by Gorgé showing the number of each class of recipients (stating separately number of Army, Navy and Marine Corps) and the amount paid recipient of each class. The first report should state date when first payment is made.⁹²

Hull

91. Not printed.
92. Telegram 7390, November 7, 4 p.m., from Bern, reported that the Swiss Legation in Japan had been authorized to forward 3900 florins to Java but would have to seek, each month, authorizations from the Japanese Ministries of War and Finance for subsequent relief expenditures there (711.94114A/11–744).