Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III

340.1115A/3064: Telegram

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

Washington, January 30, 1943.

249. American interests Hong Kong—financial assistance. Last sentence your 5272, November 18¹ and your 5952, December 17.² Department has established an allocation of $25,000 to enable the payment of relief to American nationals including citizens of Philippine Commonwealth in Hong Kong through the International Red Cross against promissory notes and provided the International Red Cross delegate there permitted to make payment direct to the individuals concerned. Delegate should reasonably satisfy himself as to claimant’s American nationality and, within the maximum amount of $60 monthly now prescribed for Hong Kong, should extend financial relief on a basis graduated downward, giving full consideration to the real need of the individual and his normal living standard. In this connection efforts should be made to have the nearest Swiss official representative provide the delegate with a copy of instruction No. 1202 of February 14, 1942³ for the delegate’s guidance in determining which persons⁴ could ordinarily qualify for official assistance.

As soon as possible. Department desires to be furnished by telegraph (1) the names of persons receiving relief (2) the amount given to each and (3) a brief description of the evidences of nationality submitted such as passports, certificates of registration, birth and baptismal certificates and letters testifying registration at consular offices. In addition, Department would appreciate receiving as soon as possible definite data which would enable it to estimate the monthly disbursements required to afford necessary relief to those entitled to receive aid. Any question as to right of claimants to receive aid should be referred to Department.

Effect payment to International Red Cross for transmission to Hong Kong the equivalent of $25,000 charging Authorization No. 53, 1942–1943.

Telegraph earliest date when relief may be expected to begin at Hong Kong under this authorization.⁵

Hull

1. Not printed; it cited the refusal of the Japanese Government to permit the Swiss to distribute American funds at Hong Kong as in principle it did “not recognize any representation [of] foreign interests in occupied territory.” However, the Japanese were reported as agreeing that the International Red Cross Committee representative in Hong Kong might be designated to distribute relief to American citizens under the direction of local authorities (340.1115A/3032).
2. Not printed.
3. Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. i, p. 262.
4. According to an estimate by the Special Division on January 15, there were between 350 and 400 American nationals, including Filipinos, at liberty in Hong Kong.
5. In telegram No. 1204, February 20, the Minister in Switzerland reported that the Swiss Legation in Japan had already sent 10,000 yen to the International Red Cross delegate at Hong Kong for the relief of Americans and Filipinos before receiving Department’s instructions (340.1115A/3104).