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

711.94114A/7–844: Telegram

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

Washington, September 14, 1944—11 p.m.

3183. American Interests—Far East. Legation’s 4355, July 8.⁹⁶ In view of the success by Swiss Legation Tokyo in making arrangements for financial assistance to American prisoners of war in the Philippine Islands and the Netherlands East Indies (your 5217 August 11), the Department hopes that the Swiss representatives will be able to arrange for such assistance to all other American prisoners of war detained by the Japanese in the Far East. However, no financial assistance by the Swiss seems necessary for American prisoners of war in Hong Kong and Shanghai so long as they are receiving such assistance through the representatives of the International Red Cross.

The Swiss representatives should endeavor to extend financial assistance under Department’s 1202 of February 14, 1942, as amended, to all American prisoners of war detained by the Japanese according to their needs regardless of whether the prisoners request such assistance. The instructions in Department’s 2859 August 19 (American Interests—Netherlands Indies) should be followed so far as applicable.

Special reports are desired regarding the feasibility of financial assistance for all American prisoners of war in the Far East except those in the Philippines, Netherlands East Indies, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Such reports on American prisoners of war should include those in the following areas or places: Japan (including Formosa), Burma Camp, Thai Camp (under Japanese control), Saigon, Mukden, and any other camps not known by the Department but which may have come to the knowledge of the Swiss.

Swiss should also investigate and report the possibility of financial assistance to American civilian nationals and American merchant seamen in Japan and Japanese-occupied areas, such as those at Changi, Singapore, who are not receiving assistance.

Hull

96. Not printed; it advised of a report from the Swiss Legation in Japan that it was “paying no financial relief to American POWs detained [in] Japan” and that they had never expressed a desire to receive such payments (711.94114A/7–844).