740.00115 PW/8–245: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6 p.m.]
3777. American Interests—Far East. Your 2339, July 18.92 Note August 1 from Foreign Office contains following disquieting information.
Fontanel stated in reply internees and hostages from Haiphong Road camp now actually Peking.
Motives far [for] transfer not yet given by Japanese but without doubt military in character since Japanese doubtless anticipate sooner or later military action Shanghai region.
Fontanel added to present no indications further transfers contemplated.
In response Foreign Office requested explanation use word hostage. Fontanel states while without official confirmation status internees he believes such status can be deduced from following facts:
- 1.
- Social and professional importance.
- 2.
- Fact collected by military 1943 without notice before other internees and without their families in special camp under military control.
- 3.
- Transfer for purpose placing them safe place.
Fontanel adds in fact these internees are hostages but officially they are considered as special category internees.
- Not printed; it requested information as to reasons for the movement of Allied nationals north from Shanghai (740.00115 PW/7–745).↩