711.94114A/7–1245: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 12—7:46 p.m.]
3541. Am[erican] Interests—POWs—Japan. Your 2121, June 21, 1944, Legs 3347, June 28.77 FonOff note July 11 states Gorgé recalled to Suzuki during recent interview provisions Article 4 Geneva Convention78 insisting upon interest AmGovt and families concerned learn promptly deaths.
[Page 353]Suzuki envisioned certain difficulties notification deaths quasi [each?] individual. Gorgé replied if possible receive list each month wounded, sick, dead POWs great progress realized. Suzuki agreed examine proposal.
Gorgé observed according Geneva Convention death certificate contemplated every deceased soldier enemy hands, however did not insist this point, not knowing reply Am authorities to proposal Suzuki transmitted Leg’s 3347.
- Neither printed; telegram 3347 reported Mr. Suzuki’s statement that the Japanese Government had not undertaken the obligation to deliver death certificates of all prisoners of war and civilian internees under Japanese control “which would cause great complications”, hut was prepared to furnish certificates on special request (711.94114A/6–2845).↩
- Signed July 27, 1929, Foreign Relations, 1929, vol. i, p. 321.↩