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

711.94114A/8–3045: Airgram

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

Bern, August 30, 1945.
[Received September 6—7 p.m.]

A–1013. American Interests—Far East—Japanese treatment American aviators. Foreign Office notice, August 29, referring numerous comunications relative treatment aviators captured by Japanese forces, gives following information based telegram Swiss Legation, Tokyo:

Gorgé has not failed insist numerous occasions in conversations with officials Japanese Foreign Office on necessity authorize visit camps where American aviators held. Legation has always devoted most particular attention to condition this category POWs in Japanese hands. Additionally Gorgé emphasized during course interviews that if Japanese did not see possibility authorize visits American aviators Japan nevertheless had obligation at least furnish indications relative their status. Finally Gorgé made new pressing representations with Minister Suzuki in an effort to have the War Ministry agree to his wishes. All his efforts remained however without result.

August 20, Japanese Foreign Office recalling numerous written and above all oral representations Gorgé informed latter he might visit aviators in camp near Tokyo. Nevertheless Minister Suzuki required Legation to make formal demand this regard. Gorgé considered this requirement surprising but in order prevent further delay addressed Japanese Foreign Ministry August 21, note of which following substance:

1. —Since beginning Swiss Legation has continually insisted that it be permitted visit regularly all POW and CI camps without exception.

2. —Efforts of Swiss Legation unhappily without satisfactory results and even this year it has been able to visit only two POW camps Tokyo.

3. —During its various representations Swiss Legation has insisted on necessity to permit it visit aviators or at least that it be furnished with precise information regarding them.

4. —Japanese War Ministry is today disposed authorize visits to camps in question.

Although this information is tardy Swiss Legation accepts it with satisfaction and is immediately giving instruction to its delegate, M. Ruch, in order that he holds himself at the disposal of the Japanese War Ministry.

Gorgé adds that this matter gives an idea of the difficulties which he still now encounters. Actually after all his representations with view to inspect prisoner camps and after having declared officially that he would visit these camps without regard to time or place subject to the wishes of the Japanese military authorities, the latter still demand at the moment when the war is ending to make a special request in order to visit any particular camp.⁴⁰

Harrison

40. In airgram A–1036, September 5, the Minister in Switzerland reported a visit by Swiss and International Red Cross representatives to Shinagawa, the principal camp at Tokyo where American aviators were held, and that the Swiss representative “had most trying impressions because aviators in very bad health and exhausted, suffering particularly undernourishment and fatigue”. (711.94114A/9–545) In airgram A–1077, September 13, the Minister reported a visit by the Swiss representative to the Pryuna camp at Tokyo “where aviators were detained in deplorable conditions”. (711.94114A/9–1345)