Imperial Valley press., 1944-02-11

l. Swiss representatives. handling
American interests in Japan have
not been allowed to go every place
where war prisoners and civilian
internees are held and have no
been permitted to interview then
without witnesses.
2. Representatives of the Inter.
national Red Cross committee have
not been allowed to visit most place!
where the japanese hold Americans
3. Americans have not been per.
mitted to send complaints to Jap.
anese authorities or Swiss represen-
tatives.
4. The japanese have punished
or threatened to punish anyone
complaining of i'll treatment.
5. Japan has failed to furnish
needed clothing.
6. Japan has confiscated persona
effects both from civilians and wal
prisoners.
7. Both types of prisoners have
been subject to insults and public
curiosity.
8. Tney are suffering from NAL
nutrition and diseases caused b.
Japans refusal to provide proper
food or permit the United States
to send it in.
8. The japanese have devoted tc
improper and forbidden use profits
made from the sale of goods al
camp canteens which, under law
should go to welfare services there
10. American civilians have beer
compelled to perform labor not con-
nected with the operation of theil
camps. American officers have been
forced to work and non-commis-
stoned officers to do work they are
not legally obliged to do.
II. Prisoners of war have been
required TO work on behalf of jap
anese war operations.
12 Medical care has often been
denied both classes of prisoners and
when given has been so poor as
to cause unnecessary suffering and
unnecessary deaths
13. Japan has reported the
names OF only part of the prison.
ers held and of American combat
ants found dead by the japanese
IA. 1t has not permitted prison.
ers and internees freely to exercise
their religion.
Is, 1t has failed to post the Cen
eva convention in English transla-
ton in camps, thus depriving the
internees and prisoners of knoWl-
edge of their rights.
l6. Japan has failed to provide
adequate equipment and accom-
modations in camps and on trans
ports, but instead has forced pris-
oners to live in inhumane condi-
tionS.
H. 1t has imposed cruel and
inhuman punishment without trial
18. japanese authorities have in
flicted corporal punishment and
torture upon American nationals.
BEST OF EVIDENCE
THE government of the United
States emphasizes that it has based
the foregoing charges only upon
information obtained from reliable
sources" the note a./.rted. Many
we'll authenticated cases can be
cited in support of each of the
charges
In contrast, the note continued,
the United States asserted that
Japan can ascertain for itself from
any objective examination" of
Spanish, Swedish and International
Ted Cross representatives who have
frequently visited japanese deten-
ton places here, that this country
has faithfully applied all provi-
SONS of the Geneva convention.
1t added that American authori-
ties freely have accepted sugges-
tionS for the improvement of con-
ditions under which japanese live
in American camps and centers.
MAKES DEMANDS
The government of the United
States demands that the japanese
government Immediately take note
of the charges made above and
take immediate steps to raise the
treatment accorded American ma
tionals held by Japan to the stand
ard provided by the Geneva PriS-
onerS of War convention, which
the United States and the Japa.
nese governments have mutually
undertaken to apply" the note
continued.
This government also expects, it
asserted, that Japan will take
proper disciplinary or penal ac-
ton" against it's agents who violated
the convention and the "interna-
tlonal common laws of decency."
Meanwhile, Sen. Dennis Chavez,
Cd, N. M, suggested that the
Soviet Union be asked to help
furnish relief to American prison.
erS of war held nv Ta,or