711.94115 Exchange/10–1144: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
3566. American Interests—Far East—Repatriation. Your 6790, October 11. Please request that Gorgé suggest Japanese Foreign Office that if technical difficulties confronting Anglo-Japanese exchange, of which difficulties United States Government is uninformed,71 seem likely to cause excessive delay, result will be unnecessary delay in American-Japanese exchange thereby continuing unduly distressing restraint on numerous American and Japanese children, women and invalids in internment camps. In behalf of these unfortunate individuals United States Government bespeaks consideration by Japanese Government on humanitarian grounds of prompt effectuation of American-Japanese exchange either at Mormugão or at Bikini Atoll (Department’s 3053, September 4) as technical difficulties for either such exchange do not in opinion of United States Government exist.
Japanese Government should be reminded that period during which weather permits use of Mormugão as exchange port is not extensive and that prompt action is necessary if two or more exchanges at that port are to be effected before the monsoons change again.
The Japanese reply to such communication as Gorgé may make on foregoing matter will do much to indicate to United States Government whether Japanese statement reported in your 6790 is or is not to be taken as sincere.
- Telegram 9327, October 28, 8 p.m., from London, reported the view of the British Foreign Office that technical difficulties were connected with the shortage of Japanese shipping (711.94115 Exchange/10–2844).↩