711.94114A/9–2745: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State 50
[Received September 27—10:05 p.m.]
4229. American Interests—Far East. Foreign Office note Sept 25 states during evacuation American POWs interned Japan, delegates Swiss Legation, Tokyo, found large number POWs no knowledge Swiss represented American, British interests Japan and that they should have had possibility correspond Swiss Legation.
Following these findings Gorgé addressed letter Shigemitsu51 strongly protesting that despite assurances given him by Jap Foreign Office POWs had not had means correspond representative protecting power. Gorgé added greatly regrettable his responsibility not recognized, particularly since this caused grave uneasiness families POWs.
Note refers foregoing relation information contained Legation’s 7704, Nov 2352 and 1662, March 19.
- The Department forwarded a copy of this message to the War Department on October 4 and stated: “In view of the fact that the enclosed telegram shows that the Japanese Government did not abide by the Geneva Convention in its treatment of prisoners of war it is suggested that the Secretary of War may desire to bring the enclosed communication to the attention of the appropriate military authorities in the Far East.” (711.94114A/9–2745)↩
- Mamoru Shigemitsu, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, August 17–September 16, 1945.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. v, p. 1009.↩