740.00115A PW/11–744: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle)
4176. American Interests—China. Reurtel 7386 November 7. Swiss suggestion of collective approach by representatives of United States, United Kingdom and Netherlands through protecting Power to Japanese with view of obtaining facilities for assistance for nationals of the three countries in occupied China is approved. You are authorized to join British and Netherlands representatives in presenting matter to Swiss Foreign Office for negotiations with Japanese. Department is well aware of seriousness of situation and welcomes the suggestion by Swiss.
[Page 1076]Although Swiss express doubt as to possibility success of renewed requests to Japanese for more favorable exchange rate, Department considers this probably most hopeful possibility in immediate future (ReDeptel 3878 November 14).
It is hoped that a portion of relief supplies sent via Nakhodka and which arrived in Japan on November 11 will reach Shanghai. Intercross has received Japanese assurances that supplies will be distributed as far south as feasible. Efforts are being made to arrange for further shipments of relief in kind.
General repatriation would be most desirable solution and efforts to bring it about are being continued, but it is feared any such repatriation would be too late to solve immediate problem of excessive cost of financial assistance in occupied China. Department assumes Gorgé keeps Fontanel informed of any progress made in negotiations for repatriation.41
British Embassy here has received request from British Foreign Office for Department’s views as to whether collective approach might be made to Japanese. Foreign Office offered no suggestion as to the terms of any approach. Department had already conferred informally with British Embassy which requested suggestions from Foreign Office and opinion of Netherlands Government in exile, but no reply has yet been received from London. Netherlands Embassy has no information on subject.
Your action under this instruction and any other significant developments in the matter should be reported by telegraph.