711.94114A/2–345
The Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:54 p.m.]
773. Am[erican] Interests—Japan. Our 8213 December 18.13 Note January 31 from Foreign Office reports interview January 19 between Gorgé and General Tamura who replaces Hamada as Chief Bureau Information POWs.
Gorgé requested urgent authorization inspect camps again as last visits occurred October. He informed Tamura that improvement was observed during past year and expressed hope inspections would not be too greatly spaced. Tamura promised exert all efforts this point.
Gorgé informed Tamura of improvement as to lists furnished by Japanese, which received with increasing frequency, but observed that American Government want [went] further, communicating weekly to ICRC14 and monthly to Spanish Government15 location camps and numbers POWs. Tamura after consulting staff stated he hoped adopt similar measures.
Gorgé pointed out concern principally of British Government at location many camps neighborhood military objectives. Tamura who evidently not au courant this matter remarked unable understand Japanese interest in placing camps near such objectives which should [Page 321] be kept secret. After Gorgé cited several such camps Tamura promised examine question.
Gorgé requested that a certain number seriously ill and wounded POWs, especially blind, might be repatriated if new civilian exchange negotiated,16 stating American and British Governments would appreciate such humanitarian gesture. Tamura ended interview stating Swiss could count his cooperation.
From interview Gorgé expresses hope amelioration conditions prisoners.
- Not printed; but for summary, see Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. v, p. 1013, footnote 88.↩
- International Committee of the Red Cross.↩
- Spain represented Japanese interests in the Continental United States.↩
- For documentation on efforts by the United States to arrange a third exchange of American and Japanese nationals, see pp. 419 ff.↩