740.00119 PW/7–1845: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland ( Harrison ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:55 p.m.]
3611. For Acting Secretary. Hirs, Director Swiss National Bank, Zurich, told Secretary Altaffer18 that Financial Attaché Japanese Legation, Bern, said to Hirs on Friday 13 that if Hirs had American friends Attaché wished he would tell them “we want peace”. Attaché said further he knew Japan was defeated and question was now only one of getting as good terms from Allies as possible. Hirs quoted Attaché as then saying that Japs could not accept unconditional surrender but that, if they could keep their Emperor, he was sure we could obtain their surrender under our own terms.
Hirs expressed conviction Attaché had so expressed self under instructions from Minister.
- Maurice W. Altaffer, First Secretary of Legation.↩