711.94114 Supplies/2–245: Telegram

The Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle) to the Secretary of State

746. Am[erican] Interests—Far East—Relief ship Awa Maru. Legation’s 703, January 31,63 and previous. Foreign Office note February [Page 461] 1 encloses text following communication from Japanese Government.

“In accordance with understanding reached between Governments of Japan and United States concerning transmission relief supplies transported by Hakusan Maru from Nakhodka to Kobe for POWs and Civilian Internees in Japanese custody,64 Japanese Government have decided utilize ship now plying between Japan and southern areas and to transport relief supplies by Awa Maru and distribute to POWs and Civilian Internees in Taiwan, Hong Kong, French Indo-China, Malaya, Burma, Thailand and Java, Sumatra, Borneo. Features, identification marks, routes and sailing dates of Awa Maru are as described below. Japanese Government desires United States Government confirm guarantee that ship on either outward or homeward voyage shall not be subjected any attack, visit, or any interference whatever by United States and Allied forces.

[Here follow details as to features and markings of the Awa Maru and its sailing schedule.]

Huddle
  1. Not printed; it reported that the contents of telegram 146, January 10, 1945, to Bern, had been delivered to the Japanese Government on January 18 (711.94114 Supplies/1–3145). Regarding telegram 146, see Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. v, p. 1075, footnote 40.
  2. For documentation on agreements with Japan and the Soviet Union to send relief supplies to a Siberian port where they would be handed over to Japanese authorities for distribution, see ibid., pp. 1015 ff., passim, and ibid., vol. iv, pp. 1159 ff.