Office of the Historian

711.94114 Supplies/10–1844: Telegram

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

Bern, October 18, 1944.
[Received October 18—7:34 p.m.]

6916. American Interests—Japan. Foreign Office note October 16 received this morning encloses text quoted below of Japanese Foreign Office note October 9 to Swiss Legation, Tokyo, in reply to Department’s 3006, August 31. Swiss note states paragraphs tertio (2) and guinto (3) obviously garbled in transmission where indicated by question marks and corrections requested Tokyo. Swiss Foreign Office adds that telegram October 13 received from Swiss Legation, Tokyo, referring to paragraph quarto below and stating: “Japanese Foreign Office asks that American Government pay directly to Soviet authorities all taxes, local taxes, port taxes, all other public charges and loading charges incurred by Japanese vessel at Nakhodka”.

Beginning Japanese Foreign Office note:

“Transport via Nakhodka of relief supplies and correspondence sent for distribution to United States and Allied prisoners of war and internees in Japanese custody shall be carried out on following principles:

Primo. Japanese Government intend to despatch one Japanese ship to Nakhodka towards end of October to take delivery by a single voyage of approximately 1500 metric tons of relief supplies and correspondence presumably now lying at Vladivostok.

Secundo. Japanese Government by verbal note of 8th July15 addressed to Swiss Legation, Tokyo, requested United States Government to guarantee safety to Japanese ship engaging in this traffic and to obtain such guarantee from all other governments concerned (including Soviet Government). The guarantee thus sought by Japanese Government shall include all risks against floating Soviet mines within respective seas. Memorandum of 25th August of Soviet Government to Japanese Embassy, Moscow, stated that question of safety of Japanese ship for the whole remaining part of voyage both ways between a port or ports in Japan and the above-mentioned approach point should be considered and settled between Japanese, United States and British Governments. In this respect United States Government has declared as follows:

[Here follows text of assurances set forth in the fourth paragraph of the communication to the Japanese Government, sent to Bern as part of telegram 3006, August 31, printed on page 1049.]

[Page 1060]

In these circumstances Japanese Government understands that by the assurance given by United States Government, it undertakes to procure guarantee of safe voyage for Japanese ship from all military authorities concerned taking into consideration all risks of floating mines and that United States Government holds itself finally responsible for any and all possible incidents. Japanese Government will notify Swiss Legation, Tokyo, about route, departure and ship’s description sufficiently early to insure information reaching United States Government at least 7 days before ship’s departure.

Tertio. 1. Japanese Government noted Soviet Government’s notification concerning entry of Japanese ship into Nakhodka. Japanese ship will reach approach point in latitude 42 degrees, 24 minutes, 6 [36]16 seconds north and longitude 132 degrees, 24 minutes, 6 [36]16 seconds east before daylight. At approach point Japanese ship shall be met by Soviet guard ship and pilot. Soviet pilot shall then guide Japanese ship into Nakhodka harbor. In case pilot should be prevented by a storm from boarding Japanese ship, she shall follow a route indicated by Soviet guard ship. Soviet guard ship shall precede Japanese ship from approach point to berth in harbor of Nakhodka.

2. Japanese Government will notify to Soviet Government the following items 240 [hours]17 prior to arrival of Japanese ship at approach point:

A.
Data [Date?] and time of arrival of Japanese ship at approach point and her route thereto.
B.
Name and tonnage of the ship.
C.
The ship’s length, breadth and draught.
D.
The kind of ship cargo, ship or cargo and passenger ship.
E.
The ship armament.
F.
Particulars of her external appearance (such as number of funnels and masts and the color).
G.
Number of the members of crew.
H.
The marks.
I.
The international code address.

3. Before entering port of Nakhodka, Japanese ship will notify wireless station at said port of her approach to the approach point 24 hours in advance. Her code address is UIK and the wave length 600 meters.

4. Japanese Government note Soviet Government’s statement to effect that Soviet Government will (a) permit two members of staff of Japanese Consulate General, Vladivostok, to proceed to Nakhodka, (b) guarantee to Japanese ship first priority in entering the port, loading without delay and clearance without any impediment, (c) require the formalities in regard to entrance, anchorage and clearance of Japanese ship to be observed in accordance with existing regulations based on general principles for dealing with foreign ships in Soviet harbors, (d) guarantee safety to Japanese ship on both ways between approach point and port of Nakhodka, (e) carry the said two members of staff of Japanese Consulate General, Vladivostok, by [Page 1061] above-mentioned Soviet guard ship and allow them to go on board Japanese ship and (f) employ same methods for escorting Japanese ship from berth in port of Nakhodka back to approach point and for return trip of the two members of staff of Japanese Consulate General.

Quarto. United States Government shall pay all taxes, rates, harbor dues and other public charges which may be levied at port of Nakhodka on Japanese ship and cost of loading Japanese ship as well as freight charges from port of Nakhodka to a port or ports under Japanese administration, cost of landing and warehousing at such port or ports and any and all other expenses calculated on a fair and reasonable basis. Japanese Government will defray import duty and other taxes to be charged at ports under Japanese administration and freight charged by Japanese Government railway. All taxes, charges and other expenses to be defrayed by United States Government as stated above shall be paid in Swiss francs.

Quinto. 1. United States Government are requested to notify to Japanese Government names of officials to be in charge of delivery of goods in question to Japanese ship at port of Nakhodka.

2. With reference to tertio, 3, Japanese Government desire that Soviet Government indicate such signals as may be agreed upon if necessary for the meeting at approach point.

3. In view of possibility of damage being caused to ships, should goods be transshipped from ship to ship [in the port]18 of Nakhodka, Japanese Government [propose]18 the use of lighters and wish to be informed of the transshipping capacity of lighters to be such [so?] used.

Sexto. As to subsequent shipments of relief supplies and correspondence addressed to United States and Allied prisoners of war and internees in Japanese custody, it is felt difficult to take 1500 tons per month by water still more so if goods were delivered at Manchouli and carried by rail. The matter shall be left for future considerations.

Septimo. It is understood that in case in future Japanese Government send any relief supplies and correspondence for distribution to Japanese and Allied prisoners of war and internees in United States custody, United States Government shall carry out transport of the goods oy a route and methods similar to those stated above.”

Swiss Foreign Office states 6 o’clock this evening no message yet received from Tokyo clarifying garbles.

Harrison
  1. See telegram 4507, July 14, from Bern, p. 1041.↩
  2. Correction based on telegram 7239, October 31, from Bern (not printed). “Bracketed insertion based on telegram 6922, October 19, from Bern (not printed).↩
  3. Correction based on telegram 7239, October 31, from Bern (not printed). “Bracketed insertion based on telegram 6922, October 19, from Bern (not printed).↩
  4. Bracketed insertion based on telegram 6922, October 19, from Bern (not printed).↩
  5. Bracketed insertion based on telegram 6922, October 19, from Bern (not printed).↩
  6. Bracketed insertion based on telegram 6922, October 19, from Bern (not printed).↩