740.00115 PW/1–2545
The Swedish Minister (Boström) to the Secretary of State
The Minister of Sweden in charge of the Japanese interests in the
Territory of Hawaii presents his compliments to the Honorable, the
Secretary of State and has the honor to forward herewith, copy of a
cablegram dated January 23, 1945, containing a renewed protest from
the Japanese Government in reply to the note of the Department of
State of March 25, 1944, No. 740.00115, Pacific War/225712
concerning the treatment of Japanese civilians, interned in the
Territory of Hawaii after the outbreak of the war in December
1941.
Washington
, January 25, 1945.
[Enclosure]
The Japanese
Government to the Swedish
Government
Japanese Government ask you transmit United States Government
following renewed protest and wish obtain United States
Government’s reply as soon as received.
[Page 430]
Japanese Government have carefully perused United States
Government’s reply of 25th March 1944 to their protest
concerning treatment of Japanese subjects in Hawaii. In first
paragraph of United States Government’s reply it is stated that
United States Military Authorities in Hawaii did not have to use
handcuffs in arresting and transporting Japanese subjects. But
according information received from most reliable source Tokuye
Takahashi, physician, who was arrested on 7th December, 1941, at
4:30 p.m. was handcuffed when he was taken from his home to a
Gendarmerie station by motorcar, and
two other Japanese subjects Messrs. Seigan Saito and Minetaro
Hori who were escorted in same car were fastened together with a
pair of handcuffs. Many other Japanese subjects were also
handcuffed.
The place where these Japanese subjects were detained for 3 days
after their arrest was an immigration station converted into a
Gendarmerie station. Rooms were
secured with iron doors and windows with equipments for
preventing escape.
After taking in Japanese subjects doors were locked. Sleeping
place consisted of three-storied bunks and two or three persons
had to sleep in one bunk. Internees were not allowed go out
except for meals which they were compelled take on lawn
irrespective of weather. Only physical exercise they were
allowed to take was a walk to and from the place where they took
meals three times a day and it scarcely occupied an hour a
day.
As regards second paragraph of United States Government’s reply
concerning imposition of compulsory labour on Japanese internees
those who returned to Japan by exchange ship13
report that at Sand Island Internment Camp guards compelled
Japanese internees at point of gun to engage in construction of
fences and transport of timber. For two weeks at least after
outbreak hostilities authorities of camp imposed compulsory
labour on Japanese internees. Captain Ifler superintendent of
camp frankly admitting unlawfulness of compulsory labour imposed
on and other unjust treatment accorded to Japanese internees
there during said period subsequently took steps to arrange for
their labour to be of voluntary nature.
In regard to fourth paragraph of United States Government’s reply
concerning treatment of Japanese subjects during their transport
to American continent those who returned to Japan by exchange
ship state that first group of Japanese subjects transported
from Hawaii to American continent were stowed away in steerage
which was entirely shut off from sunshine. Wall facing corridor
was a metal net [Page 431] of
about one inch mesh and door of similar construction was locked
as soon as Japanese entered. There being no toilet facilities in
the room it was so arranged that the guard should come and
unlock door every four hours to enable internees to go to
lavatory. But guard shirked his duty and often failed to appear
at appointed time. Japanese internees some of whom suffering
from diarrhea when unable to withstand the urgent call of nature
had to implore or offer some cigars or other presents to guard
in order to induce him to unlock door. As result of their
request for supply of chamberpots two garbage cans and two or
three small buckets were brought in. Internees stood in queues
waiting for their turn to do their needs and afterward they had
to take the vessels out and dispose of their contents. They were
provided with no facilities for washing their faces nor was any
water supplied for the purpose.
Japanese Government present to United States Government a strong
protest against above-mentioned unjustifiable insults and
inhuman maltreatment to which United States authorities have
subjected innocent Japanese civilians. While reserving all
rights relating to the matter Japanese Government call for
conscientious consideration on part of United States Government
and desire them to institute more thorough and accurate
investigation and Japanese Government expect to be notified of
result of such investigation.
