If the Japanese Government is interested in this proposal one of its hospital ships could be made a repatriation ship to effect the exchange and might carry American nationals to Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Latitude 11 degrees 30 minutes North, Longitude 165 degrees 25 minutes East. It would return to Japanese-controlled areas with a representative selection from among the Japanese civilians captured on Saipan. This operation could be repeated as long as there are nationals to be exchanged. The Japanese vessel might carry a neutral observer agreed upon by the Japanese and United States Governments and the United States Government might place on Bikini Atoll a neutral observer similarly agreed upon by both parties. The function of the two observers would be that of liaison during the period of exchange and the observation of the execution of the agreement by both parties. HULL 740.00115 P.W./10-544: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State BERN, October 5, 1944. [Received October 5-11:35 p. m.] 6632. American Interests-Japan-Repatriation. Your 3053, September 4. Foreign Office note October 3 reports Japanese Foreign Ministry replied Swiss Legation it wishes receive earliest possible nominal list 10,000 Japanese nationals in question. HARRISON 711.94115 Exchange/10-1144: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State BERN, October 11, 1944. [Received October 11-8:57 p. m.] 6790. American Interests-Far East. Department's 2565, July 26.7° Foreign Office note October 9 states during interview at Japanese Foreign Office Gorgé informed that Japanese do not believe possible exchange at Soviet port, exchange via Siberia believed possible however, but Japanese are of opinion Mormugão should be exchange port. Japanese Foreign Office believes American-Japanese exchange should be deferred until conclusion second Anglo-Japanese exchange 70 Not printed; it stated, "Since it requires approximately 45 days for the Gripsholm to reach Mormugão from New York, preliminary arrangements should soon be begun if a further exchange of American and Japanese nationals is to take place at that port as soon as the monsoon ends in October." (711.94115 Exchange/7-2644) which appears more urgent but now encountering serious technical difficulties. HARRISON 711.94115 Exchange/10-1144: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) 71 WASHINGTON, October 19, 1944. 3566. American Interests-Far East-Repatriation. Your 6790, October 11. Please request that Gorgé suggest Japanese Foreign Office that if technical difficulties confronting Anglo-Japanese exchange, of which difficulties United States Government is uninformed, seem likely to cause excessive delay, result will be unnecessary delay in American-Japanese exchange thereby continuing unduly distressing restraint on numerous American and Japanese children, women and invalids in internment camps. In behalf of these unfortunate individuals United States Government bespeaks consideration by Japanese Government on humanitarian grounds of prompt effectuation of American-Japanese exchange either at Mormugão or at Bikini Atoll (Department's 3053, September 4) as technical difficulties for either such exchange do not in opinion of United States Government exist. Japanese Government should be reminded that period during which weather permits use of Mormugão as exchange port is not extensive and that prompt action is necessary if two or more exchanges at that port are to be effected before the monsoons change again. The Japanese reply to such communication as Gorgé may make on foregoing matter will do much to indicate to United States Government whether Japanese statement reported in your 6790 is or is not to be taken as sincere. HULL 711.94115 Exchange/10-2444: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State BERN, October 24, 1944-midnight. [Received October 24-5:16 p. m.] 7047. American Interests-Far East-Repatriation. Foreign Office note October 20, referring Legation's 679 [6790], October 11, states Gorgé again intervened personally October 10 Japanese Foreign Office to discuss American and British repatriation. 71 Telegram 9327. October 28, 8 p. m., from London, reported the view of the British Foreign Office that technical difficulties were connected with the shortage of Japanese shipping (711.94115 Exchange/10-2844). Gorgé received from interview impression that this question still faces great difficulties particularly concerning transportation as Japanese authorities probably have no ship available for exchange. Under these conditions discussion made no progress. Furthermore during previous discussions Japanese Foreign Office officials had vaguely given to understand but without any obligation that problem might be solved if neutral vessel might be made available. This neutral vessel however should have Japanese crew for military authorities could not admit in Japanese-controlled waters vessel with neutral crew. These suggestions were personal opinions but as matter being delayed Gorgé felt obliged present them American and British Governments and requests opinions. Gorgé thinks that if American and British Governments make available civilian exchange vessel which would have Japanese crew one or more exchanges might be effect[ed]. Foreign Office official telephoned this morning stating that view foregoing from Gorgé absolutely no purpose might be gained transmitting to Tokyo Department's 3566, October 19, which is being held Bern pending instructions as only possibility further exchange appears based on availability neutral ship which might proceed neutral port where could take on Japanese crew. HARRISON 711.94115 Exchange/10-2444: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (IIarrison) WASHINGTON, November 2, 1944-10 p.m. 3752. Repatriation-Far East-American Interests. In light of information provided in your 7047, October 24, midnight, Department suggests that Gorgé might find it practicable to revive with Japanese Foreign Office discussion of project outlined in Department's 1072, March 30, which in many ways meets the requirements of the situation, aside from the minor question of the flag on the vessel to be provided which can be easily solved. The proposed scheme might be effected at any number of points on the Soviet Pacific coast or perhaps elsewhere if desired. There is furthermore no reason why this scheme. might not also be used for the effectuation of Anglo-Japanese exchanges. If the Japanese Government is willing to discuss exchanges concretely, Gorgé may be assured that the United States Government will take every practicable step to meet its suggestions. The Department feels that the suggestions so far made to the Japanese offer such a wide choice that some combination of them must be acceptable to the Japanese Government. The Department must rely upon the ingenuity of Gorgé to pursue these conversations with a view to determining some practicable means of arriving at a working arrangement. In particular if Gorgé could elicit from the Japanese at this time a statement of their practical objections if any to the scheme in Department's 1072 which very closely parallels his suggestions in your 7047, a very definite advance in the negotiations will have been made. Department awaits with interest Gorgé's further reports on this subject. STETTINIUS 711.94114 Exchange/10-2444: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) WASHINGTON, November 11, 1944—11 p. m. 3851. The Department requests that you have Swiss ask Gorgé in his discussions based on its 3752, November 2, 10 p. m. to ascertain whether Japanese are more likely to agree on basis of first or second of following possible schemes of operation: A. A neutral vessel would take on board a capacity load of Japanese nationals and proceed to a designated intermediate point, the neutral crew to be exchanged for a Japanese crew. The vessel would then proceed in Japanese waters, discharge the Japanese nationals, take on board United States and other American nationals, return to the intermediate point, change crews once more and continue to the places of destination of the passengers then on board. This operation would be repeated as often as might be convenient. Suitable accommodations for neutral and Japanese crews while awaiting the vessel would have to be provided. B. A neutral vessel would be found and turned over to the Japanese to be operated by the Japanese. This vessel would be used for a continuing series of voyages between Japanese ports and an exchange point where passengers would be exchanged to other vessels bringing Japanese to that point. Both possible methods of operation present certain disadvantages. However, it is essential for Department to know which would be preferable to the Japanese in order adequately to consider the nature of concrete proposals which might be made. An urgent reply is requested. For the Legation. Department understands that British Government has made a proposal to the Japanese Government for an exchange at Mormugão in which the Japanese would use a neutral vessel provided by the British. Please endeavor to ascertain discreetly whether British suggestion involves alternative A or B above and whether it incorporates any new features which might be of use to Department in furthering its negotiations. You should point out to de Pury 72 (Reurtel 7386, November 773) the point made in Department's 3752 that the proposals so far made by this Government regarding exchanges contain ample range of alternatives from which the Japanese Government could select desirable features enabling it to proceed with an exchange. STETTINIUS 711.94115 Exchange/11-1844: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State BERN, November 18, 1944-noon. [Received November 18-11:10 a. m.] 7615. American Interests-Far East. (1) Substance all but last two paragraphs your 3851, November 11, communicated Foreign Office November 14. (2) British Legation advises British Government has as yet made no proposal Japanese Government. Last communication from British Legation to London dated October 28 to effect Gorgé again personally approached Japanese Foreign Office on October 10. Gorgé gained impression repatriation difficulties particularly due transport as Japanese probably have no suitable ship their disposal. Under circumstances discussion made no progress. During previous interviews Japanese Foreign Office had vaguely made it understood but without assumption any obligation that solution could perhaps be found if neutral ship placed Japanese disposal manned by Japanese crew as Japanese military authorities could not allow neutral ship with neutral crew to navigate in waters under their control. Above suggestions had personal character but as matter dragging Gorgé considers it useful seek opinion British and American Governments. He believes that if Great Britain and United States could provide ship to be navigated by Japanese crew one or more exchanges could perhaps be carried out. British Legation has received no response from London. (3) De Pury advised by note November 16. (4) British Chargé, Bern, suggested joint action his and our Government and indicated is so recommending London. HARRISON 72 Arthur de Pury, Chief of the Division of Foreign Interests of the Swiss Foreign Office. 73 Ante, p. 1069. |