740.00119 P.W./8–1345: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland ( Harrison )

2520. The Swiss Legation in Washington early this morning inquired whether the Swiss Government should send in code or in clear any reply that may be received from the Japanese Government to our proposal of August 11 for Japan’s unconditional surrender. Please immediately inform the Political Department that if the reply should be a simple unconditional acceptance of our proposal it may be sent in clear. If on the other hand the Japanese reply should involve conditions it should be sent in code. I desire you to request the Swiss Government to show you the message immediately upon its receipt and to let you determine on the basis of foregoing considerations whether the reply need be coded or not.

Byrnes