711.93114A/7–2145: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:20 p.m.]
3647. American Interests—China. Legation’s A–873, July 11.83 Foreign Office note July 20 communicates following information Fontanel received from Egle, Intercross Delegate, upon latter’s return from Peking.
POWs brought Fengtai near Peking retransferred June 19 Korea and Japan. According additional information received from Commandant, Fengtai camp, appears all American officers thus transferred now Hakodate camp while other POWs dispersed various camps particularly those north of Tokyo.
Internees Haiphong Road camp left Shanghai July 10 destined North China (reference Legation’s 3452, July 784). No information thus far obtainable concerning destination but probable will follow same itinerary POWs mentioned above.
Fengtai will be utilized as transit camp for later transfers POWs from south. Fengtai in vicinity military objective particularly near important rail center, therefore very dangerous situation.
During transfers POWs exposed grave danger resulting frequent air attacks and must support very bad conditions travel. Voyage Shanghai–Fengtai requires 5 days. Similar time Fengtai–Fusan. Former internees Haiphong Road including large number aged and sick must suffer particularly such journey.
Fontanel believes as Egle necessary measures must be taken Japanese authorities that such transfers made better conditions. He observes, however, Japanese military continue ignore representations he undertook this subject.
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed; it reported that Mr. Fontanel had requested that military authorities in China be informed of this transfer to prevent possible bombardment of the rail line from Shanghai to Peking and that he had not been allowed to visit the prisoners of war before their departure (711.93114A/7–745).↩