Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The British Commonwealth, The Far East, Volume VI

711.93114A/6–2345: Telegram

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

Bern, June 23, 1945—1 p.m.
[Received 11:45 p.m.]

3298. Am[erican] Interests—Shanghai and North China Camps. Intercross letter June 21 state Egle⁶⁵ arrived Peking June 10. Visited various segregation centers. All appeared satisfactory. Reports follow. Transfer POWs from Shanghai effected smoothly. Egle bought considerable quantities foodstuffs, cigarettes for POWs during transfer. Egle hopes shortly have relief service functioning as at Shanghai. Owing certain technical difficulties Egle believes visit new POW camps subject delay. On basis reliable reports he satisfied health, morale POWs very high and adequate arrangements made their welfare.

Intercross adds with regard funds for relief purchases new POW camps possibly necessary resume monthly payments which previously in abeyance owing exchange complications.⁶⁶

Harrison

65. Edouard Egle, delegate at Shanghai of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
66. In telegram 2183, June 29, 7 p.m., to Bern, the Department requested the Swiss to seek permission to visit the camps near Peking as soon as possible and suggested that the Swiss might wish to point out to the Japanese “that United States authorities have always permitted visits to camps even though newly organized”. (711.93114 A/6–2345)