It is scarcely necessary to say that the Japanese Government have, from the humanitarian viewpoint, done their best in order that all enemy nationals, both prisoners of war and civilian internees, under Japanese control may be given as fair and just treatment as possible. Nevertheless, under the date of February 5, the United States Government lodged a protest with the Japanese Government regarding the treatment of Americans under their control and, at the same time, widely propagandized Japan's alleged maltreatment of enemy nationals.
As the result of most careful and detailed investigations concerning the various charges made by the United States Government, a lengthy reply, setting forth clearly how American nationals are being actually treated by the Japanese authorities and pointing out minutely the errors and misunderstandings on the part of the United States Government was handed to the Swiss Minister in Tokyo, who represents the protecting power of American interests, on May 3. The Japanese Government, took the occasion to call the attention of the United States Government to the unjust treatment accorded to Japanese naitonals [sic] by the American authorities, enumerating concrete cases as reported from reliable sources, and to demand the rectification thereof.
At the same time, the Japanese Government declared their readiness to comply with the request of the United States Government and dispatch a Japanese vessel to Vladivostok in order to take over and transport the relief supplies and mail matters which are to be shipped via that port from the United States to American war prisoners and civilian internees under the control of Japan. A definite plan for that purpose was communicated through the Swiss Minister to the United States Government.