Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

390.1115A/1286a: Telegram

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

Washington, November 9, 1942.

2503. American interests—Japan—prisoners of war and civilian internees. Your 3818 August 20.⁵⁸ Request Swiss Government to make following reply to three points raised by Japanese Government and ask that the Japanese Government give an expression of its attitude regarding Department’s 1695 July 3d.⁵⁹

1. As the Japanese Government has been previously informed (Department’s 712 March 19) all Japanese detained or interned by the American authorities are provided free of charge with adequate food, clothing, housing and medical care. All Japanese evacuated from military areas and accommodated in assembly and relocation centers have also been provided without charge with food, housing, medical care, hospitalization, and clothing. Those Japanese who voluntarily leave relocation centers to accept employment elsewhere are required out of the salaries they receive to make a modest payment for the support of their dependents left in these centers. The property of evacuated Japanese not having been confiscated no question of indemnity is involved. The American Government has, however, provided a service to protect and manage property for all evacuated Japanese according to their instructions. Income from the lease, sale or operation of their property is deposited to their accounts or turned over to them for their own use.

In this connection the American Government points out that it does not expect reimbursement for expenditures made by it for the support of Japanese nationals detained or interned by the American authorities or accommodated in relocation centers by reason of their removal from military areas and that, recognizing its obligations to care for the support of such persons, it desires to draw to the attention of the Japanese Government that Government’s reciprocal responsibility to care for the support of American nationals whom the Japanese authorities have detained, interned, or removed from the places where they normally resided and earned their livelihood.

Destitute dependents in the United States of Japanese who are interned or detained by act of the United States Government are eligible for emergency relief from Federal Security Agency to the extent that such relief is administered by state and local agencies. The attitude of this Government regarding relief to needy Japanese at liberty in the United States was set forth in Department’s telegram number 1692, July 3,⁶⁰ American interests Far East. It is noted that the Japanese Government has not yet replied to this telegram nor has the Spanish Ambassador⁶¹ in charge of Japanese interests in continental United States replied to the Department’s note of February 11 and the aide-mémoire of March 12,⁶² which suggested a procedure for remitting funds for representation purposes, including payment of relief to needy Japanese.

2. This Government has permitted Japanese associations whose work is of a benevolent or charitable character to continue their work of assisting the needy with funds raised by contributions from private sources in this country.

3. While funds of these Japanese associations have been frozen, licenses permitting their use are granted on request. This Government will continue to authorize the activity of these associations in the future on a reciprocal basis.

Hull

58. Not printed.
59. Not printed; the last paragraph of this telegram stated: “This Government is disturbed to hear of the evident inadequacy of the support furnished by the Japanese Government as detaining Power and hopes that Swiss Legation Tokyo will emphasize that no such situation exists in the United States with respect to Japanese nationals interned here.” (390.1115/3697)
60. Ante, p. 281.
61. Don Juan Francisco de Cárdenas.
62. Neither printed.