711.94114A/8–1144: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
2860. American Interests—Philippines. Legation’s 5217 August 11. In view of statement which Swiss Minister at Tokyo has obtained from Japanese Foreign Office, Department hereby authorizes him to arrange for financial relief or assistance for American prisoners of war in the Philippine Islands at the rate of 20 pesos (the equivalent of $10) monthly for each prisoner. It is desired that all American prisoners of war including officers share equally in the relief.
[Here follows paragraph on methods of distributing funds similar to second paragraph of telegram 2859, August 19, 7 p.m., printed supra.]
The Department would appreciate receiving a report from Gorgé as to whether the lists of approximately 15,000 American prisoners of war in the Philippines show the prisoners by name or whether they are just tabulations without names.93
- Telegram 6068, September 14, 8 p.m., from Bern, reported there were only 9,000 prisoners of war in the Philippines, some 5,700 having been transferred to Japan and 1,700 having died in the Philippines (711.11B114A/9–1444).↩