711.94114A/8–3044: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 30—2:56 p.m.]
5659. American Interests—Japan. Given below substance Swiss Note August 22, with reference enclosure Legation’s airmail 8150, May 10, and Legation’s 4367 July 8. Japanese Foreign Minister August 12 informed Gorgé of following:
With regard American Government’s protest concerning Japanese treatment of Americans, Japanese Government’s views were set forth in detail in Shigemitsu’s letter April 2876 to Swiss Minister. Simultaneously Japanese Government defined line of conduct adopted in connection treatment Americans, and also expressed to him its views regarding “campaign of false accusations” which American Government launched against Japan at time American Government’s protest.
In addition Shigemitsu’s letter April 28 explained why authorization visit POW camps situated Japanese occupied territory cannot now be granted. If Shigemitsu promised examination question, this is because Japanese Government intends despite numerous difficulties observe in treatment enemy citizens an attitude which is just and in conformity with line of conduct already mentioned. Shigemitsu will later inform Swiss Minister result this examination. Former felt required direct attention American Government to fact that from that time on (Legation’s note: presumably April 28) Japanese Government has strongly desired that measures be taken on basis Geneva Convention for treatment enemy nationals even with regard situations not specifically foreseen in said convention. Japan hopes from humanitarian standpoint American Government will undertake soonest possible detailed examination requests formulated last part Shigemitsu’s letter April 28 (enclosure to Legation’s airmail 8150) and shortly communicate result.
Gorgé thinks foregoing quite precisely defines Japanese attitude and hopes Department will soon make possible his reply, because failing this he will be unable make representations of general character. He made further representations July 21 to obtain authorization visit camps and then left memorandum at Japanese Foreign Office. Latter replied August 15 that if Gorgé based this representation on declaration Shigemitsu made during conversation May 3 (Legation’s note: Swiss official considers this is probably same conversation referred to in Legation’s 3076, May 13) it should be pointed out only promise given was that “Shigemitsu would do all he is able with regard to [Page 996] visiting camps in metropolitan Japan and China”. After this conversation delegate of Japanese Foreign Office successively visited POW camps Nagoya, Niigata, Tokyo, et cetera, and Gorgé expressed his satisfaction to competent authorities. Japanese reply finally reports competent authorities intend authorize visits other camps as applications presented by Swiss Legation. End Swiss Note August 22.
Swiss notice dated August 25 transmits following interpretative comment by Gorgé on immediately preceding paragraph:
Gorgé gave to understand in discussing his memorandum of July 21 at Japanese Foreign Office that he had very well understood Shigemitsu’s declaration which had been made without reservation as concerns visits POW camps metropolitan Japan. Besides War Ministry some days later gave same assurances. In addition POW Bureau voluntarily declared it would prepare general plan for camp inspections Japan which Gorgé requested more than two years [ago?].
All these declarations made without slightest reservation. Now Japanese Foreign Office exerting every effort demonstrate to Gorgé that he had not understood quite well and that these declarations only meant to convey that Japanese authorities would do all that they could concerning camp visits metropolitan Japan and China.
Gorgé stresses that even if admitted that he placed too broad interpretation these declarations he is compelled to observe that now Japanese reservations also aim at camp visits Japan itself. Gorgé unaware nature these reservations and considers Japan would do better frankly to state difficulties hindering visits. Once again during Foreign Office conversation he directed attention to importance of question from humanitarian standpoint and to anguish thousands of families who have no specific news regarding fate their kin. Japanese official while saying nothing regarding question reservations promised examine with War Ministry problem of visits to be made after coming inspection Hokkaido camp.
Concerning last sentence August 15 memorandum in which Japanese Foreign Office repeated that competent Japanese authorities intend permit visits other camps as applications presented by Swiss Legation, Gorgé made formal reservations in stating that he had never admitted thesis already held on several occasions that Japanese will give authorization “as applications presented by Swiss Legation”. Gorgé requested during these numerous representations authorization visit all camps without exception; he informed War Ministry that he was at its complete disposal to visit any camp at any time. He is, therefore, not to be reproached for not having made application to visit this or that camp whose existence is perhaps not even known to him. Gorgé took occasion to request spokesman provide complete official [Page 997] list of camps and added that he would immediately present a request for inspection each camp.