390.1115A/888: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 13—4:10 p.m.]
2699. Exchange negotiations—Far East. Department’s 1392, May 30, Legation’s 2614, 10th.47 Swiss Legation Tokyo telegraphs June 10 following:
“Japanese Government has decided to repatriate all Americans imprisoned or interned in Japan, Korea, Manchukuo, China, Hong Kong, Indochina and Thailand who desire to be evacuated except three persons mentioned (Legation’s 2498, 5th48). It has made great efforts and great expenditures to bring these American citizens from very distant regions to port of embarkation.
It therefore sees no objection that all Americans imprisoned or interned in Korea and Manchukuo be included if they wish in first exchange; the repatriation will be done as Japanese Legation has already stated, see Legation’s 2474, 4th,49 on condition that American Government repatriate without delay and without exception all Japanese whose names were communicated by Spanish Embassy to American Government. Japanese Government calls attention that number of Japanese whose names were communicated is far from attaining number of passengers which Gripsholm can carry. Japanese Government cannot understand statement according to which American Government will embark Japanese on Gripsholm to extent which its capacity permits.”