All Canadian nationals on the approved list who are still remaining in Japan are members of Catholic Missions. They are all residing in towns in which they intend to continue their religious duties. In those cases where the buildings were intact but occupied by the Japanese during the war, they are now again in possession. To my knowledge all have adequate housing facilities; in the case of Sendai (one orphanage) and Nagasaki (hospital) they are anxious to rebuild their former mission buildings.

The greatest problem facing these Canadians in Japan is securing adequate food, clothing and fuel. It has been the policy of the United States Army to insist that the Japanese Government give an additional ration to Allied nationals residing in Japan which, if it could be fully secured, would give each adult 2400 calories a day. In actual practice, however, the local Japanese supplies cannot provide the necessary foodstuffs. In some cases such provisions can only be purchased on the black market. Consequently it is desirable that those who may have to supplement their ordinary rations by purchases on the black market should possess a considerable amount of money. As most of the missionaries had their funds frozen during the war they are now able to draw on these funds for current expenses, but it is obvious that unless they can secure considerable amounts from their home mission, their present financial resources may prove inadequate. Since it might take some time before the flow of foreign exchange to Japan can be arranged, I requested the United States Army to make available to me, or any accredited Canadian representative, Japanese funds for distribution to Canadians in need of cash relief. This request was granted but only shortly before my departure. Accordingly, in the absence of any Canadian representative, those funds will not be available to Canadians.

However, I requested the Swiss Legation to furnish such relief as they were permitted (up to Y300 a month) in case of application by a Canadian. After March 1, however, the Swiss will drop all their foreign representing duties, and in the interim period, until the arrival of a Canadian representative, it may be necessary to request the British Foreign Office representatives in Tokyo to disburse cash relief to needy Canadians. Before my departure only one Canadian Brother, Omer Ruel of Sendai, requested relief. Since his request came before permission to draw upon yen provided by the United States Army was made available, I directed him with a note of recommendation to the Swiss Legation. The Swiss agreed to pay him the amount of Y300 until his departure in the early months of this year.

When the Swiss close up their foreign interest section they will turn over all files and lists of approved Canadians to the British representative in the absence of a Canadian official. Thus in the case of any Canadian applying for relief it can quickly be ascertained if he is a Canadian national.

It is recommended, however, that since no specific arrangements regarding relief were made with the British before my departure, a telegram be despatched requesting the competent authorities in Tokyo to disburse such relief as may be necessary until the arrival of a Canadian representative.

E. H. N[ORMAN]