740.00115A P.W./8–2544: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
2934. American Interests—China. Request Swiss to inform the Japanese Government that this Government on the basis of reliable reports is gravely concerned with regard to the treatment being accorded American civilians in the camps in China, particularly the inadequacy of food, clothing, and medical supplies, and the failure of the authorities to provide for the maintenance of hygienic and sanitary conditions.
It has been reported that the diet provided by the Japanese authorities amounts to from 1600 to 1850 calories per day, that it is seriously lacking in protein, fats and citrus fruits and that the food situation is steadily deteriorating. Most of the internees are actively engaged in camp labor, yet caloric value of the food supplied is considerably lower than the internationally established minimum standard. As a result complaints of hunger are not confined to a few malcontents but are wide-spread throughout the camps.
In many instances the food is not only inadequate in quantity but the condition in which it is supplied is dangerous to the health of the community. The meat ration in all camps has been cut 30 percent and the form in which the meat is delivered makes it not only unpleasant to handle but difficult to prepare. Under normal conditions and by pure food standards, the meat would be condemned as unsuitable for human consumption. Bread is often delivered to the camps in Shanghai coated with dust, in uncovered containers, a potentially dangerous state of affairs in a city where enteric diseases (dysentery, typhoid, et cetera) are a major problem.
[Page 993]Lack of medical supplies exposes the internees to great risks. Through gifts of absolutely essential drugs, the internees were formerly able to overcome in some degree the negligence of the Japanese authorities. Gifts are no longer available and the internees are now in the position of being compelled to rely on the authorities in this vital matter. Occasionally, and not necessarily in correlation with their needs, the camps have received certain medical supplies from the authorities. Urgently needed drugs are, however, often long delayed in delivery and are in other instances never delivered at all. Much of the medicine, drugs, and equipment has been available locally. It would appear that the authorities, if they were so inclined, could arrange to deliver these supplies when they are needed and in the amounts required and without delay.
With much labor and considerable ingenuity, the internees have managed in most camps to establish limited hospital facilities, but failure on the part of the authorities to furnish adequate foodstuffs for invalid diets has made it impossible to take advantage of the full use of these facilities. With regard to hospitalization, the Japanese authorities in Shanghai have not facilitated but have even obstructed the efforts of the International Red Cross Committee and the Swiss Consulate General by refusing in a number of instances to grant permission for hospitalization and to authorize payment for the cost involved.
The Japanese Government has also failed in its obligation to provide needed clothing and footwear. Many of the adult internees have worn out their shoes and the children have outgrown theirs. No provision has been made for replacement or repair. The clothing which the internees brought with them is wearing out and the authorities are not making adequate provision for replacements. Last winter when the camp buildings were but slightly heated, the authorities made no effort to supply warm clothing to those who were in need. The approach of another winter heightens the distress of the internees and gives urgency to the obligation of the Japanese authorities to furnish the internees with necessary clothing before the cold weather sets in.
A grave condition exists with regard to the sanitary situation. Cleanliness is a first line of defense against disease where sanitation facilities are as primitive as those which exist in the camps, but cleanliness cannot be maintained where adequate materials and equipment are not provided. The appeal of the internees for such supplies as buckets, shovels, brushes, mops, drain pipe cleaners, rat poison, soap and disinfectant is evidence of the extent of the failure of the authorities to provide the essentials. The Japanese Government must [Page 994] be aware that the lives of thousands of people are involved in its failure to make available the tools and supplies needed for maintaining the hygiene and cleanliness of the camps.
The internment of the sick and aged at Chung Shan University is totally at variance with the humanitarian professions of the Japanese Government. Many of the internees were receiving regular medical treatment prior to their internment but this was ordered discontinued while at the same time no adequate provision was made for proper medical care in the camp. No attempt was made to furnish persons suffering from sprue, stomach ulcers, et cetera, with any form of special diet. No steps had been taken or preparations made before the internment of these people to make habitable the quarters assigned to them. Most of the rooms were in an unclean condition and the buildings in a state of disrepair. Although the rooms of the Japanese guards were suitably heated, no heat was provided in the internees’ quarters. No laundry facilities were provided and washroom facilities were inadequate. The lavatories were primitive and in an unsanitary condition. Adequate equipment by means of which it might have been possible to bring about an improvement in the sanitary condition of the camp was lacking. The poor quality and insufficiency of the food and the cold dampness of unheated rooms, combined with the dirt of their surroundings, caused severe suffering to the aged and ailing persons interned in this camp. Although a letter pointing out the deficiencies of the camp was submitted to the commandant, no steps were taken to remedy the situation.
Failure to make provision for essential needs and negligence in maintaining proper standards in the treatment of American nationals held in Japanese custody in China constitute grave transgressions and are serious violations not only of the letter but of the spirit of the Geneva Convention, the humanitarian provisions of which the Japanese Government has voluntarily undertaken to apply. The United States Government continues to expect that the Japanese Government will honor its commitments to observe the humanitarian provisions of the Geneva Convention and will give effect to its professions that it is according humane treatment to the American nationals in its custody.
Department desires to be informed of date of delivery of this communication to the Japanese Government,75 and thereafter to receive report of steps taken by Japanese Government to remedy situation and degree of amelioration accomplished.
- In telegram 6018, September 12, the Minister in Switzerland stated that this communication was delivered to the Japanese Government on September 5 (740.00115A P.W./9–1244).↩