The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-08-27
Sen. MURRAY
SEEKS RELEASE
OF PRISONERS

WASHINGTON Numerous letters
addressed to Sen. James e. Murray
from citizens of Montana express
growing concern at the fate of Amer
leans who are held prisoners in the
Philippines or in Japan. For some
months Senator Murray has been
seeking to obtain action from the
State department and the War de-
partment on a program of repatria-
ton of these citizens. The State de-
partment has given every possible CO.
operation and is working through the
American Red Cross in attempting to
supply medicine and necessary food
but the difficulties appear almost in
surmountable.
Senator Murray today received the
following letter from Robert A. Low
EFT, acting secretary of war with ref
erence to prisoners held by the Japa-
nese:
Dear Senator Murray:
This is with reference to your
efforts concerning the plight OF 1ur
soldiers and civilians who are prison
ers of war of the Japanese.
"Since the fall of the Philippines,
the State department has been max
ing consistent and untiring efforts to
provide relief for American nationals
in the custody of the Japanese. Elk
cept in one instance last year these
efforts have not been successful
while the Japanese government
in the drafting of the
Geneva Convention of 1929, it failed
to join the other nations in the final
ratification of this treaty. The Japa-
nese government, after our entrance
into the war, in response to an in
quiry, intimated that it would observe
ton, but that it did not feel bound
to conform thereto.
"The State department is in con-
slant negotiation with the several
neutral agencies endeavoring to reach
some understanding with the Japa-
nese government. Until those nego-
Liations are completed it is impossible
10 send medical supplies and food to
hose persons being held as prisoners
or to effect any form of repatriation
lese, it has been extremely difficult |
or the United States and the neutral |
agencies to obtain any authentic in
formation with respect to these pris-
)ners.
Early in May of this year the Jap
lnese government began reporting,
through the international Red Cross,
leaths among the prisoners of war.
rhe Japanese, except in few cases,
lave failed to give the date of death
If the individuals reported. Conse-
luently, the War department is I'M
lble to ascertain whether the deaths
hat have been announced recently
occurred over the entire period of |
.aptivity or are of recent occurrence
you may assure Mrs. Thate that
he War department appreciates the
,ravity of the situation and is exert
ng every effort to alleviate the plight
f all American nationals who are in
he hands of the Japanese.
Sincerely yours,
Signed, ROBERT A. LOVETT,
Acting Secretary of War"
The barbarous nature of the Japa-
ese people does not lend itself to the
hreats of retaliation as the Japanese
ave no concern whatever as to the
ate of their nationals that fall into
he hands of the American govern
lent. The best testimony to that
fleet is the universal choice of death
ather than surrender on the part of
apanese soldiers. Threats of retail
ton would only give the Japanese
eason to be more barbarous and in
uman in their treatment of the
mericans held by them.
Senator Murray announces that he
ill continue to do his utmost through
ne Red Cross, the State department
nd every possible channel to obtain
etter conditions for the Americans
cid by the Japanese.