711.93114A/9–545: Airgram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 12—7 p.m.]
A–1037. American Interests—Far East. Your 1871, May 22—7 p.m. Foreign Office note, September 4, states Japanese Foreign Office has just informed Swiss Legation Tokyo of reply Japanese Government and while this superseded by recent events Swiss Foreign Office nevertheless communicates it. Substance follows:
Kiangwan POWs were transferred for humanitarian reasons. Taking into consideration the turn in developments one had every reason to believe this region would shortly become a theater of war operations.
The Government of the United States seems to believe that the transfer ordered by Japanese authorities is contrary to Geneva Convention; this is to interpret erroneously Japanese intentions since the new camp was situated outside of the dangerous zone.
The Japanese Government wishes to emphasize that it has not sought to preserve nor to protect certain places from the danger of bombardment by installing there this camp. The demand of the American authorities tending to obtain assurances this regard seems without object, it being granted that bombardments of the American forces are carried out without discrimination and in violation international laws prescribing that only objects of military character can be attacked.
While Japan not bound by provisions Geneva Convention it will conform nevertheless their spirit and will communicate at later date more exactly concerning the transfer American POWs from Kiangwan.