701.0090/2346: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 24—2:45 p.m.]
5962. American interests Far East repatriation. Department’s 2177, 4th; Legation’s 5788, 17th. Swiss Foreign Office note September 22 states according telegram from Swiss Legation Tokyo Minister Shigemitsu replied to contents Department’s 2177 in letter dated September 17 to Swiss Legation. Substance follows.
(Translation from French). Imperial Government has endeavored to accede in as large measure as possible desire American Government concerning repatriation certain designated American citizens. During negotiations this subject with Your Excellency you have insisted on several occasions on repatriation of certain number American citizens four of whom are mentioned in above-mentioned letter from Your Excellency. In fact, Japanese Government was able to give satisfaction in certain cases that were reported to it but with regard to cases of other Americans in question it regrets as stated since beginning of negotiations unable to accede to desire American Government for reasons already explained. I, therefore, request Your Excellency to transmit following communication to American Government: (End translation).
[(]Begin original English text). “In view of impending departure of Japanese exchange ship the views of Japanese Government regarding communication of United States Government were at once notified verbally on September 9th to Swiss Legation in Tokyo.
Japanese Government made all possible efforts in order to expedite second exchange and especially to comply with wishes of United States Government in respect to American citizens whom the same Government desire to be repatriated. In consideration of repeated requests of Swiss Legation in Tokyo about a certain number of persons including above-mentioned four Japanese Government, upon [Page 933] negotiations with same Legation, have agreed to repatriation of some of those American citizens. But as regards the four persons in question as it has been intimated to same Legation since beginning of negotiations it is regretted that Japanese Government have been unable to accede to American desire for such reasons as have been explained to Swiss Legation.
It has by American communication for the first time come to knowledge of Japanese Government that among Japanese subjects repatriated by present exchange there are some persons who might have been prosecuted for espionage. Japanese Government wish to state that, as have been pointed out in their memoranda of July 1343 and August 10,44 they consider that among those Japanese subjects nominated by them for repatriation and who it is declared by United States Government have refused evacuation there are a certain number of individuals who in fact desire to be repatriated.”