740.00119 Control (Japan)/12–1745: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
2545. Action left your discretion on following message from General MacArthur to War Dept. State Dept concurs in view that maximizing Jap food supplies important but recognizes other considerations may make it inadvisable raise this particular issue present time.
“Subject is repatriation of Japanese fishermen detained in Russian held territories and return of their gear and catch.
Information from Japanese indicated that fishermen from several companies in Hokkaido are interned in territory now occupied by Russia. There has been no communication with subject fishermen since 9 August. They had insufficient stocks of provisions and clothing to survive the northern winter since they were equipped only for normal fishing season from June to November.
The Nichiro Fishing Company Ltd has: 1383 men, 108,000 cubic feet by-products and 27,500 cubic feet fishing nets and other gear at Paramushiro, near Kuriles; 373 men Unutka district and 407 men Yekefta district (both districts on west coast of Kamchatka) with 155,340 cubic feet canned and salted fish; 220 men at Shimushiro, Kuriles, and Maoka, Karafuto.
Etorofu Fishing Company Ltd has 776 men and 2,650,000 kilograms canned and salted salmon and trout on Etorofu Island.
[Page 885]Fishing gear and equipment are badly needed in Japan. The fish catch would augment food stocks in Japan. Interned fishermen are farmers in the off season, and production of food is a grave problem facing Japan at this time.
Recommend that representations be made to Russian Government concerning:
- A.
- Repatriation of subject Japanese fishermen;
- B.
- Return of fishing gear;
- C.
- Shipment of catch to Japan;
- D.
- Utilization of ships recovered from control of Japanese for return of fishermen, gear and catch, as provided in Joint Chiefs of Staff radio WX 64268, dated 14 September.
If Russian Government will not release this shipping, this Headquarters will provide the necessary transportation in this instance.”